Medical Coder Salary in Pelham, AL: $33,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Pelham, AL earns a median $33,387/year (≈ $16.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $37,983 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Pelham, AL hosts a small workforce of four medical coders, reflecting a market that has not seen saturation in this vital healthcare role. In 2026, those professionals can expect a median annual salary of $33,387, which is significantly lower than the national median of $41,861. The local salary range for this occupation spans from $26,327 at the lower percentile to $49,542 at the higher end, indicating variability in compensation that hinges on factors such as experience and employer type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight an employment environment with room for growth yet constrained by local economic factors.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,327 | $12.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,485 | $14.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $33,387 | $16.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,111 | $19.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,542 | $23.82 |
Median Salary Position
20.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,215 (2026 est.). At $33,387, the local median is 20.24% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pelham Medical Coder Pay Compares
Pelham median: $33,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $36,094 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -20.24% less |
Medical Coders in Pelham, AL earn a median of $33,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.24% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $36,094.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $33,387 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,983 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,772
2025 BLS Actual
$32,630
2026 Current Est.
$33,387
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Pelham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,772 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,103 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,124 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,162 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $29,772 (2021) to $32,630 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,390 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $26,327 – $29,485 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,485 – $33,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $33,387 – $41,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,111 – $49,542 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Pelham
In Pelham, the relatively low cost of living index at 87.9 contributes positively to the purchasing power of medical coders earning an average salary. However, the market only employs a few coders, which may limit opportunities for upward mobility. Employers like large healthcare organizations typically offer higher compensation compared to private practices or community health centers. The disparity between the lower and upper earnings brackets can be attributed to various factors—shift differentials for night or weekend work, additional certifications that enhance skill sets, and the benefits packages provided by larger employers. For medical coders aiming to maximize pay in Pelham, pursuing specialty credentials and seeking positions in larger firms may provide better financial outcomes in an otherwise constrained market.
More salary data for Pelham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $32,630 for medical codersin the Pelham metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pelham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov