Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $31,791 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $31,791/year (≈ $15.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $35,167 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for a medical billing and coding specialist salary in West Des Moines, Iowa is projected to be a median of $31,791, which marks a notable increase when compared to the national median of $30,349. The local salary range reflects a wide disparity, spanning from $23,731 at the 10th percentile to $49,276 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, quite pertinent in a market with a cost of living index of 90.4, indicating it is below the national average. This remains an attractive salary structure considering the shift towards remote work, allowing professionals in West Des Moines to compete with and potentially earn from employers nationwide.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,731 | $11.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26,649 | $12.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,791 | $15.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,501 | $19.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,276 | $23.69 |
Median Salary Position
4.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,545 (2026 est.). At $31,791, the local median is 4.75% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $31,791/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $29,491 | +7.80% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +4.75% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $31,791 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.75% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 7.80% above the Iowa state average of $29,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $31,791 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $35,167 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,348
2025 BLS Actual
$31,070
2026 Current Est.
$31,791
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in West Des Moines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,636 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,791 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,528 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $28,348 (2021) to $31,070 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,528 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,180 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Des Moines 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) | $23,731 – $26,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $26,649 – $31,791 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,791 – $40,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,501 – $49,276 |
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 West Des Moines
The local job market for medical billing and coding specialists in West Des Moines is relatively modest, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the field. However, the compensation landscape is buoyed by the area's cost of living, which influences take-home pay significantly. Among employers, third-party coding companies offer competitive salaries, particularly for remote positions that can enhance work-life balance. The variation in pay often hinges on several factors, including coding specialty—specifically, inpatient coding specialists generally command higher salaries than outpatient coders. Credential stacking, such as holding multiple certifications like CPC and CCS, can also lead to better pay. Furthermore, those who excel in compliance and audit roles or who produce higher productivity may qualify for additional bonuses, adding to their earnings. For individuals looking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in West Des Moines, focusing on specializing in high-demand areas, obtaining relevant certifications from recognized bodies such as AAPC or AHIMA, and staying updated with changes in coding regulations will be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for West Des Moines, 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 $31,070 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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