Medical Records Specialist salary in Tennessee
Medical Records Specialists in Tennessee earn a median of $48,780 a year ($23.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,960 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $51,140. Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for medical records specialists pay. There are 1.4 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| 25th percentile | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Median | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| 75th percentile | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Average (mean) | $55,640 | $26.75 |
Half of medical records specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,065 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,032.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,876.15 |
| Weekly | $938.08 |
| Hourly | $23.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Records Specialist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson, TN | $57,150 | 90 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,100 | 660 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $51,300 | 1,640 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $49,020 | 350 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,660 | 760 |
| Johnson City, TN | $47,150 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,050 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $45,830 | 120 |
| Cleveland, TN | $45,760 | 30 |
| Morristown, TN | $40,550 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for medical records specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 |
| Washington | $62,270 |
| California | $61,810 |
| New York | $61,720 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 |
| Alaska | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2072. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical records specialist make in Tennessee?
The median salary for medical records specialists in Tennessee is $48,780 a year, or $23.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in Tennessee earn at least $79,960 a year. The top 25% earn $62,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,320 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $40,840 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Tennessee?
About 4,440 medical records specialists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.