Medical Coder Salary in Tennessee: $41,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $41,047/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 $44,714 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jackson ($45,720), Memphis ($42,480), Nashville ($41,040).
The landscape for medical coder salaries in Tennessee is relatively close to the national average. In 2026, the average median salary for medical coders in Tennessee is projected to be $41,047, which is slightly lower than the national median of $41,861, resulting in a -1.9% difference. The highest salaries are found in Jackson at $46,781, while Morristown offers the lowest at $33,193, creating a significant salary gap of $13,588 between these two cities. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of healthcare facilities, local demand for coders, and cost of living differences within the state. In Tennessee, medical coding professionals must navigate state licensing requirements and understand scope of practice laws that can affect job duties. The demand for skilled medical coders is driven by an increasing need for accurate healthcare documentation and billing processes. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.32%, indicating a stable outlook for prospective coders. With a total of 4,102 medical coders employed statewide, cities like Memphis ($43,466), Nashville ($41,992), Franklin ($41,487), and Murfreesboro ($41,248) further illustrate the varied salary potential across different regions in Tennessee.
Tennessee Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $19,580 (lowest entry-level) to $86,145 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee medical coders earn 1.94% less than the national median ($-814/year difference).
Tennessee Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Tennessee range from $31,240 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $67,107 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,047. The Tennessee median is $814 below the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $19.73/hr. Approximately 4,102 medical coders are employed across 30 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$43,395
2025 BLS Actual
$40,116
2026 Current Est.
$41,047
2021–2027 Growth
+-3.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders 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 | $40,116 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,999 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -7.6% from $43,395 (2021) to $40,116 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,999 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,396 (-3.22%) 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 | $33,193 |
| Tullahoma | $35,853 |
| Sevierville | $36,635 |
| Maryville | $36,846 |
| Cookeville | $36,870 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $46,781 | 85.522 | $54,701 |
| Memphis | $43,466 | 92.179 | $47,154 |
| Franklin | $41,487 | 91.8 | $45,193 |
| Murfreesboro | $41,248 | 91.8 | $44,932 |
| Johnson City | $38,595 | 87.928 | $43,894 |
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) | $31,240 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,047 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $67,107 |
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 | $46,781 |
| 2 | Memphis | $43,466 |
| 3 | Nashville | $41,992 |
| 4 | Franklin | $41,487 |
| 5 | Murfreesboro | $41,248 |
| 6 | Chattanooga | $40,126 |
| 7 | Smyrna | $39,222 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $39,026 |
| 9 | Knoxville | $39,013 |
| 10 | Collierville | $38,891 |
| 11 | Johnson City | $38,595 |
| 12 | Spring Hill | $38,592 |
| 13 | Clarksville | $38,513 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $38,075 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $38,072 |
| 16 | Columbia | $37,815 |
| 17 | Germantown | $37,767 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $37,692 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $37,626 |
| 20 | Kingsport | $37,515 |
| 21 | Cleveland | $37,457 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $37,431 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $37,139 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $37,138 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $37,060 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $36,870 |
| 27 | Maryville | $36,846 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $36,635 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $35,853 |
| 30 | Morristown | $33,193 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Tennessee?
How many medical coders are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for medical coders?
Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding 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 coder compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute 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 coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov