Medical Billing Salary

Cleveland vs Nashville: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Cleveland, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, TN
$27,157
$13.06/hr
Nashville, TN
$30,444
$14.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$27,157$30,444
Hourly Rate$13.06$14.63
Entry Level (P10)$20,979$23,721
25th Percentile$23,056$25,608
75th Percentile$29,192$38,117
Top Earner (P90)$41,696$47,453
Total Employed301,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($27,157) and Nashville ($30,444) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.ClevelandNashvilleMedian Salary$27,157$30,444Entry Level (P10)$20,979$23,721Top Earner (P90)$41,696$47,453US Median $30,349

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cleveland.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Nashville is $3,287 (12.10%). Nashville's median is +0.31% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $20,717,Nashville spans $23,732. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$20,979
P25$23,056
Median$27,157
P75$29,192
P90 (Top)$41,696
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$23,721
P25$25,608
Median$30,444
P75$38,117
P90 (Top)$47,453

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($31,601 effective) pays 2.49% more than Cleveland ($30,832 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $27,157
CoL Index: 88.08
Adjusted: $30,832
Nashville
Nominal: $30,444
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $31,601

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($30,444/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,453)
  • Larger job market (1,640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $31,601)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Cleveland grew -32.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -36.2% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Cleveland, TN

+-32.7%

$39,451 (2024) → $26,541 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+-36.2%

$46,660 (2021) → $29,754 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Cleveland or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $30,444/year, compared to Cleveland at $27,157/year — a difference of $3,287 (12.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Nashville?

Cleveland medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.06/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $14.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Nashville as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $30,832, Nashville = $31,601), job availability (30 vs 1,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Cleveland vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,979 in Cleveland and $23,721 in Nashville. The Nashville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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