Medical Billing Salary

Knoxville vs Shelbyville: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Knoxville, TN and Shelbyville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$28,284
$13.60/hr
Shelbyville, TN
$26,927
$12.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNShelbyville, TN
Median Salary$28,284$26,927
Hourly Rate$13.60$12.94
Entry Level (P10)$22,397$20,518
25th Percentile$23,020$23,259
75th Percentile$33,014$33,200
Top Earner (P90)$43,963$40,154
Total Employed7604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($28,284) and Shelbyville ($26,927) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.KnoxvilleShelbyvilleMedian Salary$28,284$26,927Entry Level (P10)$22,397$20,518Top Earner (P90)$43,963$40,154US Median $30,349

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shelbyville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Shelbyville is $1,357 (5.04%). Knoxville's median is -6.80% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $21,566,Shelbyville spans $19,636. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$22,397
P25$23,020
Median$28,284
P75$33,014
P90 (Top)$43,963
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$20,518
P25$23,259
Median$26,927
P75$33,200
P90 (Top)$40,154

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($30,555 effective) pays 4.17% more than Shelbyville ($29,332 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $28,284
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $30,555
Shelbyville
Nominal: $26,927
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $29,332

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($28,284/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($43,963)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $30,555)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Shelbyville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Knoxville grew -25.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -31.9% growth in Shelbyville over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+-25.5%

$37,110 (2021) → $27,643 (2025)

Shelbyville, TN

+-31.9%

$38,660 (2024) → $26,316 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Knoxville or Shelbyville?

Knoxville has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $28,284/year, compared to Shelbyville at $26,927/year — a difference of $1,357 (5.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Shelbyville?

Knoxville medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.60/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $12.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Shelbyville as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $30,555, Shelbyville = $29,332), job availability (760 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Knoxville vs Shelbyville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,397 in Knoxville and $20,518 in Shelbyville. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, CPC

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov