Medical Coder Salary in Iowa: $43,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $43,798/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,449 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Iowa City ($53,072), Des Moines ($43,416), West Des Moines ($42,855).
In Iowa, the average median salary for medical coders is projected to reach $43,798 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $41,861 by 4.6%. This marks a favorable position for coders in the state, especially in cities like Iowa City, where salaries can reach up to $54,303. In contrast, Davenport presents the lowest compensation at $37,294, highlighting a salary gap of $16,009. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for coders, the cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in more populated areas. Iowa's scope of practice laws and state licensing requirements for medical coding are relatively straightforward, which, coupled with the anticipated annual growth rate of 2.32% for this profession, suggests a steady demand for skilled coders. With a total of 1,636 medical coders employed across 26 metro areas, job opportunities are expected to continue expanding. Other notable cities include Des Moines at $44,423, West Des Moines at $43,849, Ames at $40,805, and Dubuque at $40,699, reflecting varying hiring demand and industry presence throughout the state. Overall, the outlook for medical coders in Iowa remains positive as healthcare continues to evolve and expand.
Iowa Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $28,266 (lowest entry-level) to $67,966 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa medical coders earn 4.63% more than the national median (+$1,937/year difference).
Iowa Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Iowa range from $33,743 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,264 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $43,798. The Iowa median is $1,937 above the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $21.06/hr. Approximately 1,636 medical coders are employed across 26 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$45,571
2025 BLS Actual
$42,805
2026 Current Est.
$43,798
2021–2027 Growth
+-1.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Iowa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,103 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,814 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -6.1% from $45,571 (2021) to $42,805 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $-757 (-1.66%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Davenport | $37,294 |
| Fort Dodge | $37,355 |
| Sioux City | $37,760 |
| Johnston | $37,771 |
| Ottumwa | $37,862 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City | $54,303 | 91.509 | $59,342 |
| West Des Moines | $43,849 | 90.4 | $48,506 |
| Des Moines | $44,423 | 91.701 | $48,443 |
| Dubuque | $40,699 | 87.328 | $46,605 |
| Ames | $40,805 | 88.83 | $45,936 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,743 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $43,798 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $58,264 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $54,303 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $44,423 |
| 3 | West Des Moines | $43,849 |
| 4 | Ames | $40,805 |
| 5 | Dubuque | $40,699 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $40,691 |
| 7 | Marion | $40,015 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $39,861 |
| 9 | Ankeny | $39,548 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs | $39,300 |
| 11 | Burlington | $39,075 |
| 12 | Waterloo | $39,029 |
| 13 | Waukee | $38,934 |
| 14 | Urbandale | $38,882 |
| 15 | Bettendorf | $38,879 |
| 16 | Marshalltown | $38,759 |
| 17 | Coralville | $38,708 |
| 18 | Mason City | $38,528 |
| 19 | North Liberty | $38,377 |
| 20 | Clinton | $38,187 |
| 21 | Muscatine | $38,007 |
| 22 | Ottumwa | $37,862 |
| 23 | Johnston | $37,771 |
| 24 | Sioux City | $37,760 |
| 25 | Fort Dodge | $37,355 |
| 26 | Davenport | $37,294 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical coder hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Iowa?
How does Iowa medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Iowa?
How many medical coders are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for medical coders?
Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov