Medical Coder Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL: $38,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Tuscaloosa, AL earns a median $38,415/year (≈ $18.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Tuscaloosa's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $43,792 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 130 medical coders employed in Tuscaloosa, the market exhibits a moderate level of saturation, which may influence compensation trends. The projected median annual salary for medical coders in the area is $38,415, a figure that falls below the national median of $41,861. The salary range is quite broad, spanning from $26,988 at the 10th percentile to $54,532 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied job roles and employer expectations. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026. As the job market evolves, it will be essential for aspiring medical coders to stay informed about potential earnings and opportunities across different healthcare settings in Tuscaloosa.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,988 | $12.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,740 | $13.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,415 | $18.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,532 | $26.21 |
Median Salary Position
8.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,544 (2026 est.). At $38,415, the local median is 8.23% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tuscaloosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tuscaloosa Medical Coder Pay Compares
Tuscaloosa median: $38,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tuscaloosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $36,104 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | -8.23% less |
Medical Coders in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $38,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.23% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 6.40% above the Alabama state average of $36,104.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living 12.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.722 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $38,415 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,792 in an average-cost city — an effective 14% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,180
2025 BLS Actual
$37,544
2026 Current Est.
$38,415
2021–2027 Growth
+5.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Tuscaloosa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,306 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 1.0% from $37,180 (2021) to $37,544 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,126 (5.72%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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) | $26,988 – $28,740 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,740 – $38,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,415 – $47,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,100 – $54,532 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Tuscaloosa
For medical coders in Tuscaloosa, the cost of living index stands at 87.722, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power could be more favorable. Major employers in the region include large healthcare organizations and community health centers, which typically offer better compensation compared to private practices and specialty clinics. Factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the size of the employer play a significant role in determining pay disparities. Medical coders aiming to enhance their compensation should consider obtaining additional certifications, seeking positions in larger healthcare facilities, or negotiating benefits that complement the salary, thereby maximizing their overall earning potential in Tuscaloosa AL.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, 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 $37,544 for medical codersin the Tuscaloosa 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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