Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Iowa City, IA: $39,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Iowa City, IA earns a median $39,370/year (≈ $18.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $43,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 33.4% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, Iowa, the evolving landscape of medical billing and coding specialists presents a median annual salary of $39,370, which notably exceeds the national median of $30,349 by an impressive 29.72%. This reflects the growing demand for qualified professionals in the field, as evidenced by a projected salary range from $27,916 at the 10th percentile to $47,512 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures underscore how credential stacking—such as obtaining CPC, CCS, and CRC certifications—can significantly boost earning potential throughout one's career. The strength of Iowa City’s job market for medical billing and coding specialists is indicative of the community's investment in healthcare services and administrative efficiency.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,916 | $13.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,290 | $15.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,512 | $22.84 |
Median Salary Position
29.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,596 (2026 est.). At $39,370, the local median is 29.72% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be above the median
How Iowa City Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $39,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $29,512 | +33.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +29.72% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $39,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.72% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 33.40% above the Iowa state average of $29,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $39,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,023 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$60,930
2025 BLS Actual
$38,477
2026 Current Est.
$39,370
2021–2027 Growth
+-33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Iowa City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,477 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,283 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -36.9% from $60,930 (2021) to $38,477 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $-20,647 (-33.89%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $27,916 – $32,290 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,290 – $39,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,370 – $39,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,370 – $47,512 |
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 Iowa City
Analyzing the job market dynamics, Iowa City employs around 330 medical billing and coding specialists, which signals a robust demand for these roles. Given the cost of living index at 91.509, pay in this locality translates favorably into purchasing power compared to many other regions. The highest salaries are typically found in hospital inpatient coding departments, consulting firms, and third-party coding companies that accommodate remote work—a trend that has surged since 2020. Factors contributing to the salary range include specialty focus, such as risk adjustment coding, and the accumulation of certifications. For those looking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Iowa City, acquiring multiple credentials through AAPC or AHIMA, specializing in high-demand areas like HCC coding, and seeking positions with productivity bonuses can enhance long-term financial prospects.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 $38,477 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Iowa City 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