Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $13.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $13.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,493 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,098 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, the projected median hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is set at $13.70, which falls short of the national median of $14.59 per hour. This rate presents a solid income for part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week, and it is advantageous for per-diem specialists who often enjoy flexible schedules in settings like hospital health information management (HIM) departments or remote home offices. With the hourly pay range extending from $9.91 for entry-level positions to as much as $21.23 for experienced coders, those in Council Bluffs can find a variety of opportunities within local health systems, physician group practices, and third-party coding companies, either in-person or via telecommuting options that have become increasingly standard since the pandemic.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.91 | $79.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.59 | $92.74 |
| Median (P50) | $13.70 | $109.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.54 | $140.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.23 | $169.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $13.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.70/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $28,497 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,441. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $548.03 | $2,375 | $28,497 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $328.82 | $1,425 | $17,098 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $219.21 | $950 | $11,399 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Council Bluffs) | $13.70 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $28,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.12% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $29,496.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.70/hr = $17,098/year (purchasing power: $18,914).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,497/year (purchasing power: $31,524).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$12.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.70/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Council Bluffs (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Council Bluffs grew 9.6% from $12.22/hr (2021) to $13.39/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.02/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Council Bluffs
The earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Council Bluffs can vary significantly depending on the number of hours worked. For example, a specialist working 24 hours per week can expect to take home approximately $21,478 annually. In contrast, per-diem medical billing and coding specialists often charge between $25 and $42 per hour, which can lead to substantial earnings, especially for those comfortable working as independent contractors. The hourly rates tend to fluctuate based on the type of employer; for instance, coders in hospital inpatient departments may earn different rates than those working in consulting firms or insurance company audit teams. Acceptance of lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits is a common consideration in this field, making negotiation skills vital for professionals in this market. Understanding the local job market, emphasizing relevant certifications like those from AAPC or AHIMA, and being aware of the impact of CMS policies on risk adjustment coding can empower specialists to negotiate effectively within Council Bluffs.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Council Bluffs. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Council Bluffs is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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