Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $13.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Chattanooga, TN runs $13.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,092 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,456 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is projected to be $13.99 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $14.59 per hour. This hourly rate reflects the local market conditions and provides insights for both full-time and part-time positions in diverse settings such as remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and coding cubicles in physician group practices. For entry-level workers, hourly wages may start around $10.68, while experienced specialists can earn up to $30.02, showcasing a wide range of hourly compensation depending on skills and experience. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights the evolving landscape of medical billing and coding in the area.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.68 | $85.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.30 | $90.37 |
| Median (P50) | $13.99 | $111.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.42 | $179.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.02 | $240.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $13.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.99/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $29,093 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,785. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $559.49 | $2,424 | $29,093 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $335.69 | $1,455 | $17,456 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $223.79 | $970 | $11,637 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Chattanooga) | $13.99 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $29,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.14% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.40% above the Tennessee state average of $28,135.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.99/hr = $17,456/year (purchasing power: $19,085).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,093/year (purchasing power: $31,808).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.99/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chattanooga (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Chattanooga grew -24.2% from $18.03/hr (2021) to $13.67/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.31/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Chattanooga
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days per week, clocking around 24 hours, can expect to take home about $17,992 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. This work arrangement allows for flexibility but reflects a sacrifice in total earnings unless supplemented by per-diem work. Per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Chattanooga can command higher hourly rates, often billing between $25 and $42, with specialized roles such as certified coding specialists potentially earning $35 to $55 per hour. The hourly rates vary by employer type; those working in hospital settings may earn less than remote positions with third-party coding companies. Many professionals may trade off lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, leading to various negotiations that influence earning potential. For local specialists, knowing the market trends and leveraging technical skills, particularly in areas like risk adjustment coding, can enhance their negotiating power for more favorable job offers.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Chattanooga?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Chattanooga. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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