Medical Billing Salary

Iowa City vs Marshalltown: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Iowa City, IA and Marshalltown, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Iowa City, IA
$39,370
$18.93/hr
Marshalltown, IA
$28,100
$13.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIowa City, IAMarshalltown, IA
Median Salary$39,370$28,100
Hourly Rate$18.93$13.51
Entry Level (P10)$27,916$21,384
25th Percentile$32,290$23,739
75th Percentile$39,370$35,086
Top Earner (P90)$47,512$42,923
Total Employed3308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Iowa City ($39,370) and Marshalltown ($28,100) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.Iowa CityMarshalltownMedian Salary$39,370$28,100Entry Level (P10)$27,916$21,384Top Earner (P90)$47,512$42,923US Median $30,349

Verdict

Iowa City, IA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Marshalltown.

The salary gap between Iowa City and Marshalltown is $11,270 (40.11%). Iowa City's median is +29.72% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Iowa City spans $19,596,Marshalltown spans $21,539. Marshalltown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Iowa City
P10 (Entry)$27,916
P25$32,290
Median$39,370
P75$39,370
P90 (Top)$47,512
Marshalltown
P10 (Entry)$21,384
P25$23,739
Median$28,100
P75$35,086
P90 (Top)$42,923

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Iowa City ($43,023 effective) pays 38.41% more than Marshalltown ($31,084 effective).

Iowa City
Nominal: $39,370
CoL Index: 91.509
Adjusted: $43,023
Marshalltown
Nominal: $28,100
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $31,084

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Iowa City if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,370/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,512)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,023)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marshalltown if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Iowa City grew -36.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -30.7% growth in Marshalltown over the same period.

Iowa City, IA

+-36.9%

$60,930 (2021) → $38,477 (2025)

Marshalltown, IA

+-30.7%

$39,606 (2024) → $27,463 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Iowa City or Marshalltown?

Iowa City has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $39,370/year, compared to Marshalltown at $28,100/year — a difference of $11,270 (40.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Iowa City and Marshalltown?

Iowa City medical billing and coding specialists earn $18.93/hr while Marshalltown hygienists earn $13.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Iowa City to Marshalltown as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Iowa City and Marshalltown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Iowa City = $43,023, Marshalltown = $31,084), job availability (330 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Iowa City vs Marshalltown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $27,916 in Iowa City and $21,384 in Marshalltown. The Iowa City area offers higher starting salaries.
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