Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Burlington, IA: $42,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Burlington, IA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $42,421/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $46,926 in average-cost America. The 50% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, experienced medical billing and coding specialists can expect to see salaries reflecting their advanced expertise, with top earners projected to make $42,421 per year in 2026. This figure places Burlington's highest earners slightly below the national median for experienced professionals in the field, which stands at $30,349. It's important to recognize the significant experience premium in this market; while the median annual salary for specialists is $28,329, reaching the upper echelons of pay requires not only years of practical experience—typically more than seven—but also advanced certifications and expertise in high-demand coding specialties. Navigating this competitive landscape effectively can open doors to lucrative salary negotiations and better employment opportunities.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $35,037 and $42,421 per year (2026 est.). This $20,800 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $28,329 sits 6.66% below the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $28,329 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,037 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $42,421 | $48,159 |
In Burlington, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 49.74% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in Iowa
IA medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $28,329 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $35,037–$42,421 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical billing and coding specialists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical billing and coding specialists in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Iowa who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
5-10 yearsMedical Billing and Coding Specialist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #13 of 26 Iowa cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $42,421).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Burlington ($42,421) is 0.42% above the Iowa average P90 ($42,242).
2021 BLS Actual
$37,908
2025 BLS Actual
$41,459
2026 Current Est.
$42,421
2021–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,908 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,552 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,753 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,459 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,405 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 9.4% from $37,908 in 2021 to $41,459 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $43,405 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Earnings in Burlington
The potential for increased earnings in Burlington is heavily influenced by specialization. Areas such as inpatient coding (CCS), outpatient coding (CPC), and risk adjustment coding (CRC) are particularly lucrative. Senior medical billing and coding specialists often find themselves in diverse employment settings, such as physician group practices, hospitals, and insurance companies, each offering varying compensation structures. Leadership roles—ranging from lead coder to compliance auditor and HIM director—are realistic pathways for experienced professionals, which tend to command higher salaries. Advanced credentials also play a vital role in enhancing earning potential, with increasing value placed on certifications like AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCS and CRC. Furthermore, factors such as work arrangement and productivity can impact overall compensation, making it crucial to consider not only salary but also the comprehensive benefits package when evaluating career opportunities.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Burlington?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Burlington?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Burlington?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $41,459 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Burlington metro area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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