Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $28,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $28,493/year (≈ $13.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $31,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, the 2026 projected salary for medical billing and coding specialists is $28,493, reflecting local trends influenced by regional cost adjustments and job demand. With a salary range from $20,624 at the 10th percentile to $44,164 at the 90th percentile, aspiring professionals in this field can enhance their earning potential through credential stacking. Obtaining certifications such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) not only sharpens skills in coding practices but can significantly boost lifetime earning potential. These certifications align closely with the growing need for accurate coding in various specializations, making Council Bluffs an appealing market for both new and seasoned coders.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,624 | $9.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24,112 | $11.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,493 | $13.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,471 | $17.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,164 | $21.23 |
Median Salary Position
6.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,540 (2026 est.). At $28,493, the local median is 6.12% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $28,493/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $29,496 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -6.12% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$25,408
2025 BLS Actual
$27,847
2026 Current Est.
$28,493
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,408 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,691 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,562 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,159 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,847 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,154 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $25,408 (2021) to $27,847 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,154 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,746 (14.74%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $20,624 – $24,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $24,112 – $28,493 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,493 – $36,471 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,471 – $44,164 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Council Bluffs
In terms of local job opportunities, only 12 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed in Council Bluffs, showing a concentrated market. The cost of living index here stands at 90.4, indicating that while salaries are somewhat lower than national averages, the value of take-home pay may be bolstered by lower living expenses. Among local employers, positions in hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies might offer the highest remuneration, especially as remote work becomes increasingly standard. Factors contributing to pay disparities include specialization—those working in inpatient settings generally earn more than their outpatient counterparts—and additional credentials that can command premium rates. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Council Bluffs, pursuing further certifications and specializing in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding while considering remote work options could prove advantageous.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $27,847 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Council Bluffs metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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