Medical Billing Salary

Knoxville vs Lebanon: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$28,284
$13.60/hr
Lebanon, TN
$27,604
$13.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLebanon, TN
Median Salary$28,284$27,604
Hourly Rate$13.60$13.27
Entry Level (P10)$22,397$20,081
25th Percentile$23,020$23,249
75th Percentile$33,014$34,357
Top Earner (P90)$43,963$42,122
Total Employed76010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($28,284) and Lebanon ($27,604) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.KnoxvilleLebanonMedian Salary$28,284$27,604Entry Level (P10)$22,397$20,081Top Earner (P90)$43,963$42,122US Median $30,349

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Lebanon is $680 (2.46%). Knoxville's median is -6.80% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $21,566,Lebanon spans $22,041. Lebanon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$22,397
P25$23,020
Median$28,284
P75$33,014
P90 (Top)$43,963
Lebanon
P10 (Entry)$20,081
P25$23,249
Median$27,604
P75$34,357
P90 (Top)$42,122

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($30,555 effective) pays 1.61% more than Lebanon ($30,070 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $28,284
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $30,555
Lebanon
Nominal: $27,604
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $30,070

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($28,284/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($43,963)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $30,555)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Lebanon if…

  • 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 Knoxville grew -25.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -31.9% growth in Lebanon over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+-25.5%

$37,110 (2021) → $27,643 (2025)

Lebanon, TN

+-31.9%

$39,633 (2024) → $26,978 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Knoxville or Lebanon?

Knoxville has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $28,284/year, compared to Lebanon at $27,604/year — a difference of $680 (2.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Lebanon?

Knoxville medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.60/hr while Lebanon hygienists earn $13.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Lebanon as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Lebanon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $30,555, Lebanon = $30,070), job availability (760 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Knoxville vs Lebanon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,397 in Knoxville and $20,081 in Lebanon. The Knoxville 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