Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Memphis, TN: $56,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Memphis, TN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $56,692/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Memphis's price premium (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $61,502 in average-cost America. The 80% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Senior medical billing and coding specialists in Memphis, Tennessee, can look forward to a competitive income landscape, with top earners positioned at a notable $56,692 annually by 2026. This figure places the highest echelon of earners in Memphis above the national average for the same category, reflecting an approximately 3.84% increase over the national median annual salary of $30,349. The substantial gap between the expected median salary of $31,513 and the top earners' pay illustrates the potential for lucrative rewards in this profession. Achieving this level typically requires not only extensive experience—typically over seven years—but also specialized training and credentials, positioning individuals to command higher compensation in a market that increasingly prioritizes expertise and precision.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Memphis earn between $39,310 and $56,692 per year (2026 est.). This $33,808 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Memphis median of $31,513 sits 3.84% above the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Memphis | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $31,513 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,310 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $56,692 | $48,159 |
In Memphis, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 79.90% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay in Memphis
Advanced Certifications in Tennessee
TN medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $31,513 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Memphis employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Memphis command premium compensation, often reaching the $39,310–$56,692 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Memphis metro area, which is a large MBS employment market, often pay above-market rates for experienced medical billing and coding specialists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical billing and coding specialists in Memphis with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tennessee who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career & Wage Growth Path in Memphis
Clinical Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
5-10 yearsMedical Billing and Coding Specialist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMemphis ranks #2 of 30 Tennessee cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $56,692).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Memphis ($56,692) is 16.53% above the Tennessee average P90 ($48,652).
2021 BLS Actual
$73,790
2025 BLS Actual
$55,407
2026 Current Est.
$56,692
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Memphis (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $73,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,008 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Memphis saw their compensation grow -24.9% from $73,790 in 2021 to $55,407 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $58,008 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Earnings in Memphis
In Memphis, certain coding specializations can significantly enhance senior medical billing and coding specialist pay, particularly in areas like inpatient coding (CCS), surgical coding, and risk adjustment coding (CRC). Professionals working in various settings also experience different compensation scales; for instance, those in hospital inpatient coding departments or payer coding audit teams may find themselves earning more than their counterparts in third-party coding companies or ambulatory surgery centers. Career advancement that leads to leadership roles, such as coding supervisor or HIM director, can further boost salary potential. Additionally, obtaining advanced credentials—from AAPC's CPC to AHIMA's CCS or CPC-A—can create avenues for increased earnings, especially when combined with proficiency in ICD-10-CM and emerging trends like HCC coding. In this evolving field, non-salary factors, such as remote work opportunities and productivity bonuses, also play a significant role in the overall compensation package of experienced professionals in Memphis.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Memphis in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Memphis?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Memphis?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Memphis?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Memphis?
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $55,407 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Memphis metro area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical 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