Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $15.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in West Des Moines, IA runs $15.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $31,791 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,078 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Des Moines, the hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist stands at a median of $15.29. This figure is notably higher than the national hourly median of $14.59, reflecting the local demand and cost of living conditions. For professionals in this field, a part-time schedule—typically three days a week—would yield approximately $1,227 monthly or about $14,724 per year at this rate. Opportunities are abundant in various settings, including remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and third-party coding companies. The pay scales range from $11.41 per hour for entry-level positions to $23.69 per hour for seasoned experts, demonstrating a clear upward trend in earning potential as coders gain experience and certifications.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $11.41 | $91.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.81 | $102.48 |
| Median (P50) | $15.29 | $122.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.47 | $155.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.69 | $189.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $15.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.29/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $31,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $18,344. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $611.46 | $2,650 | $31,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $366.88 | $1,590 | $19,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $244.59 | $1,060 | $12,718 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (West Des Moines) | $15.29 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $31,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.75% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 7.80% above the Iowa state average of $29,491.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $15.29/hr = $19,078/year (purchasing power: $21,104).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $31,796/year (purchasing power: $35,173).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.29/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in West Des Moines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in West Des Moines grew 9.6% from $13.63/hr (2021) to $14.94/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $15.64/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
When considering part-time work as a medical billing and coding specialist, earnings can vary significantly. For someone working 24 hours a week, the take-home pay can differ when compared to full-time positions. Per-diem and agency coders often command higher rates, with per diem medical billing and coding specialists billing between $25 to $42 per hour, and specialized roles in risk adjustment coding reaching $40 to $65 per hour on a 1099 basis. In West Des Moines, hourly rates also fluctuate based on employer types—physician group practice offices, hospital coding departments, and consulting firms each have their own pay scales. Many professionals must weigh the trade-off between lower pay with a stable benefits package versus higher hourly pay without such perks. For negotiation, it’s recommended to highlight any additional certifications, such as those from AAPC or AHIMA, particularly in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for West Des Moines, 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 West Des Moines. 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 West Des Moines 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