Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Ottumwa, IA: $27,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Ottumwa, IA earns a median $27,450/year (≈ $13.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Ottumwa's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $30,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Ottumwa, Iowa can expect a median annual salary of $27,450. The local salary range spans from $21,926 at the 10th percentile to $41,109 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability in wages based on experience, credentials, and the type of coding specialty involved. Credentialing is a notable factor here; earning designations such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can greatly enhance career potential and lifetime earnings. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a somewhat lower compensation compared to the national median of $30,349, highlighting the need for local professionals to understand how to optimize their skills and market value in Ottumwa’s evolving job landscape.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,926 | $10.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24,446 | $11.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,450 | $13.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,953 | $16.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,109 | $19.77 |
Median Salary Position
9.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ottumwa
In Ottumwa, IA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,183 (2026 est.). At $27,450, the local median is 9.55% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ottumwa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ottumwa Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Ottumwa median: $27,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ottumwa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $29,517 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.55% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $27,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.55% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $29,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ottumwa 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.
Ottumwa, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,450 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,365 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$24,478
2025 BLS Actual
$26,828
2026 Current Est.
$27,450
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ottumwa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,478 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,087 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ottumwa metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,478 (2021) to $26,828 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,609 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ottumwa 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) | $21,926 – $24,446 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $24,446 – $27,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,450 – $33,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,953 – $41,109 |
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 Ottumwa
The job market in Ottumwa currently employs five medical billing and coding specialists, a small pool reflecting both the local demand and opportunities available. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, residents enjoy relative affordability, albeit with salaries that might not stretch as far as those in higher-paying regions. Typically, the best pay within the area is found in physician group practice coding offices and consulting firms, while third-party coding companies that offer remote work options often provide competitive compensation as well. The variation in salaries is driven by several factors, including specialization—where inpatient coding specialists often earn more than outpatient coders—and credential stacking, with professionals holding multiple certifications seeing greater financial rewards. Maximizing pay in Ottumwa's market can be achieved by focusing on high-demand specialties like risk adjustment coding, pursuing continuous education in ICD-10-CM updates, and exploring telecommuting roles to widen job selection.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 $26,828 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa 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