Medical Billing Salary

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

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

Knoxville, TN
$28,284
$13.60/hr
Murfreesboro, TN
$29,905
$14.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMurfreesboro, TN
Median Salary$28,284$29,905
Hourly Rate$13.60$14.38
Entry Level (P10)$22,397$21,661
25th Percentile$23,020$25,299
75th Percentile$33,014$38,279
Top Earner (P90)$43,963$46,353
Total Employed76029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($28,284) and Murfreesboro ($29,905) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.KnoxvilleMurfreesboroMedian Salary$28,284$29,905Entry Level (P10)$22,397$21,661Top Earner (P90)$43,963$46,353US Median $30,349

Verdict

Murfreesboro, TN offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Murfreesboro is $1,621 (5.73%). Murfreesboro's median is -1.46% 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,Murfreesboro spans $24,692. Murfreesboro 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
Murfreesboro
P10 (Entry)$21,661
P25$25,299
Median$29,905
P75$38,279
P90 (Top)$46,353

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murfreesboro ($32,576 effective) pays 6.62% more than Knoxville ($30,555 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $28,284
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $30,555
Murfreesboro
Nominal: $29,905
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $32,576

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Murfreesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,905/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($46,353)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,576)
  • 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 -27.1% growth in Murfreesboro over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+-25.5%

$37,110 (2021) → $27,643 (2025)

Murfreesboro, TN

+-27.1%

$40,073 (2024) → $29,227 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Murfreesboro has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,905/year, compared to Knoxville at $28,284/year — a difference of $1,621 (5.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Murfreesboro?

Knoxville medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.60/hr while Murfreesboro hygienists earn $14.38/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Murfreesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $30,555, Murfreesboro = $32,576), job availability (760 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,397 in Knoxville and $21,661 in Murfreesboro. 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