Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Collierville, TN: $19,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Collierville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $19,816 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Collierville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $21,586 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($28,195) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For those entering the field of medical billing and coding in Collierville, TN, the 2026 projections indicate that new graduates can expect starting pay around $19,816, significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $28,195. This translates to a substantial gap that underscores the typical career progression within this profession. Over the first few years, entry-level specialists have a potential trajectory to earn more, with the 25th percentile reaching approximately $23,416 within a few years, illustrating that with experience, the salary can increase significantly. Given the local job market's stability and demand for healthcare services, Collierville currently presents a viable opportunity for aspiring medical billing and coding specialists to begin their careers.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Collierville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Collierville
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Collierville, TN typically start between $19,816 and $23,416 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,556 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $28,195 — 7.1% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Tennessee of $3,200 represents just 16.15% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($19,816/year) in Collierville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Collierville
- 1Research the Collierville market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $19,816 to $23,416, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Collierville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Collierville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Collierville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Collierville is $23,556 ( 118.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $19,816, experienced hygienists can earn up to $43,372.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$15,405
2025 BLS Actual
$19,367
2026 Current Est.
$19,816
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Collierville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $16,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $18,362 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,988 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20,276 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Collierville, TN grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $15,405 in 2021 to $19,367 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $20,276. New graduates entering the Collierville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Collierville
Employers in Collierville looking for new graduates typically include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that often prefer hiring candidates who hold a CPC-A (apprentice certified coder) credential, which provides structured mentorship. Physician group practices and outpatient Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) also offer entry-level roles for CPC certified coders. Aiming for credentials such as AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCS can help boost starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in TN, enhancing job prospects. In the first three years, new professionals should focus on continuous education, particularly with the shift to ~80% remote working environments post-2020. Staying updated on ICD-10-CM and CPT code revisions is crucial, especially as risk adjustment and HCC coding have become the fastest-growing specialties within the field. Realistically, early-career coding specialists can anticipate gradual salary increases as they gain more experience and education, positioning themselves for long-term success in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Collierville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville 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 billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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