Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $27,602 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $27,602/year (≈ $13.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $30,068 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a medical billing and coding specialist can anticipate a median annual salary of $27,602 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $19,960 at the 10th percentile to $42,783 at the 90th percentile. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, highlight the diverse earning potential based on experience and expertise. Notably, those specializing in inpatient coding (CCS credentials) often command higher wages than their outpatient counterparts (CPC credentials), along with professionals focusing on HCC and risk adjustment coding who contribute to a rapidly growing sector.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,960 | $9.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,245 | $11.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,602 | $13.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,352 | $16.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,783 | $20.57 |
Median Salary Position
9.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,823 (2026 est.). At $27,602, the local median is 9.05% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $27,602/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $28,136 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.05% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $27,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.05% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $28,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,602 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,068 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$24,613
2025 BLS Actual
$26,976
2026 Current Est.
$27,602
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Oak Ridge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,887 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,731 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,602 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,242 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,613 (2021) to $26,976 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,629 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $19,960 – $23,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,245 – $27,602 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,602 – $34,352 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,352 – $42,783 |
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 Oak Ridge
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Oak Ridge is relatively small, with only six individuals employed in this field. The area boasts a cost-of-living index of 91.8, suggesting that the purchasing power in Oak Ridge may be more favorable than in many other regions. While positions at physician group practices and local hospitals tend to offer competitive salaries, coders in third-party coding companies, especially those who work remotely, may achieve higher earnings due to flexible work arrangements and increased demand. Factors influencing the pay gradient include specialty certification layering, such as holding both CPC and CCS credentials, and profitability measures like productivity bonuses. For professionals in this market, pursuing additional certifications from AAPC or AHIMA and staying current with ICD-10-CM and CPT updates are effective strategies for maximizing their compensation potential in Oak Ridge, TN.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, 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 $26,976 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Oak Ridge 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
Salary data for Oak Ridge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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