Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $28,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $28,284/year (≈ $13.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $30,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For medical billing and coding specialists in Knoxville, TN, the projected median salary for 2026 stands at $28,284, reflecting a competitive overall compensation landscape that is slightly below the national median of $30,349. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $22,397 and the top 90% making as much as $43,963. Data sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that those specializing in inpatient coding (CCS) generally command higher pay compared to their outpatient (CPC) and risk adjustment coding peers. The prominence of remote work has also influenced salary dynamics, leading to increased flexibility and new opportunities in this evolving job market, where skilled specialists can thrive in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,397 | $10.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,284 | $13.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,014 | $15.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,963 | $21.14 |
Median Salary Position
6.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,566 (2026 est.). At $28,284, the local median is 6.8% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $28,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $28,144 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -6.80% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $28,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.80% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.50% above the Tennessee state average of $28,144.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,284 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,555 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,110
2025 BLS Actual
$27,643
2026 Current Est.
$28,284
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Knoxville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,643 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,941 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -25.5% from $37,110 (2021) to $27,643 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $-8,169 (-22.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $22,397 – $23,020 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,020 – $28,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,284 – $33,014 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,014 – $43,963 |
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 Knoxville
In Knoxville, approximately 760 medical billing and coding specialists serve a growing healthcare sector. The local cost of living index, registered at 92.569, indicates a more affordable lifestyle compared to many national averages, allowing take-home salaries to stretch further. Employers that typically offer higher pay include hospital inpatient coding departments, insurance company audit teams, and physician group practices, often driven by specialization and additional credentials. Factors such as productivity bonuses, compliance certification, and remote work options can widen the salary gap significantly. Specialists who invest in credential stacking, like obtaining CPC and CCS certifications, alongside staying abreast of coding updates, can optimize their earning potential. Engaging with AAPC or AHIMA resources can also provide competitive advantages in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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
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 $27,643 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Knoxville 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