Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Iowa: $31,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $31,753/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $35,125 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Iowa City ($38,477), Des Moines ($31,477), West Des Moines ($31,070).
In Iowa, the projected average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is $31,753, which is above the national median of $30,349, reflecting a 4.6% advantage. Salaries across the state vary significantly, with Iowa City offering the highest at $39,370, while Davenport presents the lowest at $27,038. This nearly $12,000 salary gap is mostly driven by differences in local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and concentration of healthcare facilities. Iowa has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that affect job opportunities in this field, contributing to the overall demand for specialists trained in billing and coding. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.32%, the market appears steady, supported by increasing healthcare services and the need for accurate billing processes. As of 2026, there are approximately 1,636 employed specialists across the state, with top-paying cities including Des Moines at $32,207, West Des Moines at $31,791, Ames at $29,584, and Dubuque at $29,507. This job market is expected to remain stable, making it a viable career choice for those considering a profession in medical billing and coding in Iowa.
Iowa Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $20,494 (lowest entry-level) to $49,276 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa medical billing and coding specialists earn 4.63% more than the national median (+$1,404/year difference).
Iowa Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Iowa range from $24,463 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $42,242 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $31,753. The Iowa median is $1,404 above the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $15.26/hr. Approximately 1,636 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 26 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$45,571
2025 BLS Actual
$31,033
2026 Current Est.
$31,753
2021–2027 Growth
+-28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Iowa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,103 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,490 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -31.9% from $45,571 (2021) to $31,033 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,490 by 2027 — a total increase of $-13,081 (-28.70%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Davenport | $27,038 |
| Fort Dodge | $27,082 |
| Sioux City | $27,376 |
| Johnston | $27,384 |
| Ottumwa | $27,450 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $39,370 | 91.509 | $43,023 |
| West Des Moines | $31,791 | 90.4 | $35,167 |
| Des Moines | $32,207 | 91.701 | $35,122 |
| Dubuque | $29,507 | 87.328 | $33,789 |
| Ames | $29,584 | 88.83 | $33,304 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $24,463 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $31,753 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $42,242 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $39,370 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $32,207 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | $31,791 |
| 4 | Ames | $29,584 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $29,507 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $29,501 |
| 7 | Marion | $29,012 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $28,899 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $28,673 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | $28,493 |
| 11 | Burlington | $28,329 |
| 12 | Waterloo | $28,296 |
| 13 | Waukee | $28,227 |
| 14 | Urbandale | $28,189 |
| 15 | Bettendorf | $28,187 |
| 16 | Marshalltown | $28,100 |
| 17 | Coralville | $28,063 |
| 18 | Mason City | $27,933 |
| 19 | North Liberty | $27,824 |
| 20 | Clinton | $27,686 |
| 21 | Muscatine | $27,555 |
| 22 | Ottumwa | $27,450 |
| 23 | Johnston | $27,384 |
| 24 | Sioux City | $27,376 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $27,082 |
| 26 | Davenport | $27,038 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Iowa?
How does Iowa medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Iowa?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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