Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Memphis, TN: $22,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Memphis, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $22,884 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Memphis's local price level (BEA RPP 92.2 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $24,826 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($31,513) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Prospective medical billing and coding specialists in Memphis can expect to see modest starting salaries as they enter the workforce. An entry-level position may offer a salary as low as $22,884, significantly below the median annual salary for the city, which stands at $31,513. This initial gap can be bridged over the first few years of experience, as new hires may advance to earnings around $26,218 within the first three to five years. Given the growth rate of 2.32% projected for this field, Memphis presents a viable market for recent graduates looking to establish themselves in medical coding and billing. Many employers in the area seek to fill these roles, indicating that it may be an opportune time for newcomers to explore job opportunities.
Career Earnings Timeline in Memphis
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 Memphis
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Memphis, TN typically start between $22,884 and $26,218 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,808 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $31,513 — 3.84% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Tennessee of $3,200 represents just 13.98% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($22,884/year) in Memphis. 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 Memphis
- 1Research the Memphis market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $22,884 to $26,218, 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 Memphis, 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 Memphis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Memphis'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 Memphis is $33,808 ( 147.74%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $22,884, experienced hygienists can earn up to $56,692.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,430
2025 BLS Actual
$22,365
2026 Current Est.
$22,884
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Memphis (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,415 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Memphis, TN grew -24.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,430 in 2021 to $22,365 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $23,415. New graduates entering the Memphis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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 Memphis
Hiring trends show that several employers in Memphis are willing to onboard entry-level professionals, favoring those with relevant credentials such as the AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or the CCS from AHIMA for inpatient coding. Physician group practices and outpatient surgical centers often offer entry-level roles, while third-party coding companies might provide structured mentorship for apprentice coders. Given that approximately 80% of coding jobs have transitioned to remote work post-2020, new professionals need to remain current with ICD-10-CM, CPT updates, and the expanding field of risk adjustment coding, especially with Medicare Advantage plans. As they navigate these initial years, individuals can realistically aim for salary growth above the entry-level mark, reflecting the demand for skilled coders in a market eager for certification and continuous education.
More salary data for Memphis, 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 Memphis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 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