TN · Knoxville · Updated October 15, 2026

CDI Specialist jobs in Knoxville, TN

Pay for CDI Specialists in Tennessee centers on $29.98 per hour, or about $62,360 a year. The lower quarter earns under $20.03 and the upper quarter over $46.51. That is 7% below the U.S. median of $32.36 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 6 hospitals in Knoxville. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Knoxville.

CDI Specialist pay in Knoxville, TN

Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 450 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in Tennessee.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$16.83$35,01048% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$20.03$41,66038% below U.S. median
Median$29.98$62,3607% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$46.51$96,74044% above U.S. median
Top 10%$50.13$104,27055% above U.S. median

BLS does not publish a separate figure for CDI Specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars (SOC 29-9021), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Knoxville

  • Overall prices in Knoxville run 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 17% below the U.S. average (index 82.8).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Get the Knoxville CDI Specialist pay report

Named employers near Knoxville, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

Get my free pay report

Estimate your Knoxville paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,079
  • Per year: $53,964
  • Per month: $4,497
  • Tennessee has no state income tax on wages.

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for Tennessee. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Hospitals in Knoxville

CMS lists 6 hospitals in Knoxville.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
University Health System, Inc
Knoxville, TN
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center
Knoxville, TN
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Parkwest Medical Center
Knoxville, TN
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
East Tennessee Childrens Hospital
Knoxville, TN
Children'sNonprofitNot ratedYes
East Tennessee Behavioral Health
Knoxville, TN
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Knoxville Center For Behavioral Medicine
Knoxville, TN
PsychiatricNonprofitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

CDI Specialist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Cleveland, TN75 mi$29.98/hr50,232
Asheville, NC83 mi$29.36/hr94,992
Kingsport, TN87 mi$29.98/hr57,109
Johnson City, TN91 mi$29.98/hr73,635
Chattanooga, TN96 mi$29.98/hr191,496
Greenville, SC119 mi$17.93/hr74,371

CDI Specialist jobs in Tennessee · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide

What employers ask for, and tax basics in Tennessee

Clinical documentation integrity specialists review charts and query clinicians so records reflect patient severity accurately.

  • CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one
  • Clinical background such as RN, or coding experience
  • Knowledge of DRGs and quality reporting

Tennessee does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.

Tennessee state guide

Other healthcare roles in Knoxville

Knoxville city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do CDI Specialists make in Knoxville, TN?

CDI Specialists in Tennessee have a median pay of $29.98 per hour, about $62,360 a year. The middle half earn between $20.03 and $46.51 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Where do CDI Specialists work in Knoxville?

CMS lists 6 hospitals in Knoxville, led by University Health System, Inc. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Tennessee license to work in Knoxville as a CDI Specialist?

CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Tennessee requires for your role with the Tennessee licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Does Valorem Health place CDI Specialists in Knoxville?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Knoxville and across Tennessee. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Knoxville.

Free for every candidate

What do employers near Knoxville pay CDI Specialists? Get the report.

Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

  3. 3
    Roles open for you right now

    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

Get your free pay report

70+ CDI Specialist roles in Tennessee, sent free by email

Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
That email doesn't look quite right.
Please choose your role.
Please enter your city or ZIP.

Free for candidates. No phone number, no cold calls. One-click unsubscribe.

The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · CDI near Knoxville, TN
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your CDI pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Tennessee list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 1 posting$84.65/ hr$72–$97
  • Emanate HealthWest Covina, CA · 1 posting$63.17/ hr$50–$77
  • San Antonio Regional HospitalUpland, CA · 1 posting$59.87/ hr$48–$72
  • Boston Medical CenterRemote, MA · 1 posting$56.69/ hr$38–$75

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Tennessee list

2What they are offering now

Low$38Median$53.93High$76

8 CDI postings with published pay in the US, 8 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open CDI roles

Open CDI roles near Knoxville, TN, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

Request open roles

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
Check my pay