Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Sioux City, IA: $22,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $22,100 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $25,563 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($27,376) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, aspiring medical billing and coding specialists can expect a starting salary reflecting the entry-level market, with projections for 2026 indicating an annual figure of $22,100 at the P10 level. This amount is below the city's median salary of $27,376, highlighting a gap that new grads may experience in their initial job placements. However, as these professionals start their careers, they can anticipate gradual growth, potentially reaching $23,637 at the P25 level within the first few years. With an annual growth rate of 2.32%, the local market appears to offer a steady trajectory for those entering this field, making Sioux City a reasonably favorable environment for new graduates seeking their first role in medical billing and coding.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Sioux City, IA typically start between $22,100 and $23,637 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $14,747 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $27,376 — 9.8% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Iowa of $3,200 represents just 14.48% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($22,100/year) in Sioux City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $22,100 to $23,637, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Sioux City is $14,747 ( 66.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $22,100, experienced hygienists can earn up to $36,847.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,430
2025 BLS Actual
$21,599
2026 Current Est.
$22,100
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Sioux City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22,613 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew -26.6% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,430 in 2021 to $21,599 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $22,613. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Sioux City
For those new to the medical billing and coding profession in Sioux City, employers such as third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams often welcome recent graduates, particularly those holding CPC-A credentials. Entry-level roles are also available in physician group practices and outpatient ASCs, while opportunities in hospitals typically require CCS certification. To enhance earning potential from the outset, pursuing additional credentials like CPC, CCS-P, or proficiencies in ICD-10-CM and CPT coding is advisable. In this evolving landscape, approximately 80% of coding jobs have transitioned to remote work following the pandemic, which necessitates ongoing education to stay updated with industry standards. With the rapid expansion of risk adjustment and HCC coding—the fastest-growing subspecialty—new coders in Sioux City may realistically foresee salary increases of around 10-15% during their first three years of employment as they gain experience and additional qualifications.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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