Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Tennessee: $29,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $29,759/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $32,417 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jackson ($33,147), Memphis ($30,798), Nashville ($29,754).
In Tennessee, the projected average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is $29,759, which is slightly below the national median of $30,349, reflecting a difference of -1.9%. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with the highest paying city, Jackson, offering $33,916, while Morristown, the lowest, offers only $24,065. This $9,851 difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Tennessee's medical billing and coding sector is bolstered by a growth rate of 2.32% annually, indicating a stable job market. Major cities like Memphis ($31,513), Nashville ($30,444), Franklin ($30,078), and Murfreesboro ($29,905) present varying salary opportunities, aligning with their population size and healthcare presence. State regulations regarding coding certifications and billing practices remain essential for professionals entering the field, ensuring they meet industry standards. Additionally, the increasing need for healthcare documentation and compliance continues to drive demand for skilled specialists, indicating positive prospects for the profession. Given these factors, aspiring medical billing and coding specialists should consider the regional differences in salary and job availability as they plan their careers in Tennessee.
Tennessee Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $14,196 (lowest entry-level) to $62,455 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee medical billing and coding specialists earn 1.94% less than the national median ($-590/year difference).
Tennessee Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Tennessee range from $22,649 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $48,653 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $29,759. The Tennessee median is $590 below the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $14.31/hr. Approximately 4,102 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 30 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$43,395
2025 BLS Actual
$29,084
2026 Current Est.
$29,759
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tennessee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,395 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,318 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,376 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,006 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,449 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -33.0% from $43,395 (2021) to $29,084 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,946 (-29.83%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Morristown | $24,065 |
| Tullahoma | $25,993 |
| Sevierville | $26,560 |
| Maryville | $26,714 |
| Cookeville | $26,731 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $33,916 | 85.522 | $39,658 |
| Memphis | $31,513 | 92.179 | $34,187 |
| Franklin | $30,078 | 91.8 | $32,765 |
| Murfreesboro | $29,905 | 91.8 | $32,576 |
| Johnson City | $27,981 | 87.928 | $31,823 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $22,649 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $29,759 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $48,653 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $33,916 |
| 2 | Memphis | $31,513 |
| 3 | Nashville | $30,444 |
| 4 | Franklin | $30,078 |
| 5 | Murfreesboro | $29,905 |
| 6 | Chattanooga | $29,092 |
| 7 | Smyrna | $28,437 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $28,294 |
| 9 | Knoxville | $28,284 |
| 10 | Collierville | $28,195 |
| 11 | Johnson City | $27,981 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $27,979 |
| 13 | Clarksville | $27,922 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $27,604 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $27,602 |
| 16 | Columbia | $27,417 |
| 17 | Germantown | $27,382 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $27,327 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $27,280 |
| 20 | Kingsport | $27,198 |
| 21 | Cleveland | $27,157 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $27,137 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $26,927 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $26,926 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $26,868 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $26,731 |
| 27 | Maryville | $26,714 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $26,560 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $25,993 |
| 30 | Morristown | $24,065 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Tennessee?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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