Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $29,092 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $29,092/year (≈ $13.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $31,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Chattanooga's projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 stands at $29,092, reflecting a competitive position within the broader national context, where the median is $30,349. The full salary range varies significantly from $22,225 at the lower end to as much as $62,455 for those in the top 10%. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, provides insight into the earning potential for specialists in this region, particularly important in a job market that has evolved with a predominance of remote work opportunities post-2020. With a workforce of approximately 350 medical billing and coding specialists, Chattanooga presents a viable landscape for those entering this essential field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,225 | $10.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,507 | $11.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,092 | $13.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,616 | $22.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,455 | $30.02 |
Median Salary Position
4.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,230 (2026 est.). At $29,092, the local median is 4.14% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chattanooga Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $29,092/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $28,135 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -4.14% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,092 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$37,500
2025 BLS Actual
$28,432
2026 Current Est.
$29,092
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,432 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,092 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,767 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -24.2% from $37,500 (2021) to $28,432 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,767 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,733 (-20.62%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $22,225 – $23,507 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,507 – $29,092 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,092 – $46,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,616 – $62,455 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Chattanooga
Despite the lower median salary compared to the national average, the affordability of living in Chattanooga, evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 91.464, enhances the overall financial picture for employed professionals. Many local employers, including physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, typically offer higher pay than third-party coding companies, encouraging candidates to consider their options carefully. The disparity in wages stems from various factors, including specialization in areas such as inpatient CCS coding exceeding risk adjustment CRC coding, and the stacking of credentials like CPC, CCS, and CRC. Additionally, engaging in audit and compliance roles can command a premium, particularly when combined with productivity bonuses. Maximizing pay in the Chattanooga market involves not only pursuing further certifications and specialization but also being open to remote work options, which are increasingly prevalent and competitive in today’s job environment.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Chattanooga?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Chattanooga?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Chattanooga?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $28,432 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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