Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Dubuque, IA: $29,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Dubuque, IA earns a median $29,507/year (≈ $14.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $33,789 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average compensation for medical billing and coding specialists in Dubuque, Iowa is projected to fall at $29,507 annually, slightly below the national median of $30,349. Within the local market, salaries are expected to vary significantly, ranging from $23,691 at the 10th percentile to $36,177 for the top 90th percentile. Derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, these figures highlight the financial dynamics in a city where remote work has become increasingly standard. The influx of remote positions allows local professionals to compete in a broader geographic landscape, impacting how much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Dubuque compared to nearby areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,691 | $11.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,554 | $12.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,507 | $14.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,177 | $17.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36,177 | $17.39 |
Median Salary Position
2.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,486 (2026 est.). At $29,507, the local median is 2.77% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dubuque Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $29,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $30,349 | -2.77% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $29,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% lower than the national median of $30,349.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $33,789 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$45,080
2025 BLS Actual
$28,838
2026 Current Est.
$29,507
2021–2027 Growth
+-33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Dubuque (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,838 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,192 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -36.0% from $45,080 (2021) to $28,838 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $-14,888 (-33.03%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $23,691 – $25,554 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,554 – $29,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,507 – $36,177 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,177 – $36,177 |
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 Dubuque
In Dubuque, where there are approximately 60 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed, the cost of living is relatively low, with an index of 87.328 suggesting that purchasing power is favorable compared to national averages. This local economic context means that while salaries may appear lower on paper, the effective pay can go further. Employers such as hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies often offer the most competitive wages, particularly for those with specialized credentials or a background in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding. The disparity between low and high pay can be attributed to various factors including specialty focus, credential stacking (for example, having multiple certifications such as CPC, CCS, and CRC), and the increasing importance of productivity-based compensation structures. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Dubuque IA, pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in specialized areas, and being open to remote work opportunities can enhance overall compensation in this growing field.
More salary data for Dubuque, 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
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 $28,838 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Dubuque 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
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