Medical Coder Salary in Iowa City, IA: $54,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Iowa City, IA earns a median $54,303/year (≈ $26.11/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 $59,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 33.4% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical coders in Iowa City, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $54,303 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $41,861, representing a robust 29.72% premium. The salary range for this occupation varies, with the lowest earners making approximately $38,505 and the highest earning up to $65,534, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This favorable salary context places medical coder pay in Iowa City IA above the state average, highlighting the competitive nature of the job market. As healthcare continues to evolve, the demand for skilled medical coders is set to grow, making Iowa City an attractive location for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,505 | $18.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,538 | $21.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,303 | $26.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,303 | $26.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,534 | $31.50 |
Median Salary Position
29.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,029 (2026 est.). At $54,303, the local median is 29.72% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be above the median
How Iowa City Medical Coder Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $54,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,707 | +33.40% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +29.72% more |
Medical Coders in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $54,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.72% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 33.40% above the Iowa state average of $40,707.
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 coder earning $54,303 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$60,930
2025 BLS Actual
$53,072
2026 Current Est.
$54,303
2021–2027 Growth
+-8.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders 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 | $53,072 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,563 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -12.9% from $60,930 (2021) to $53,072 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $-5,367 (-8.81%) 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) | $38,505 – $44,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,538 – $54,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,303 – $54,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,303 – $65,534 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Iowa City
With around 330 medical coders currently employed in Iowa City, the local job market shows a steady growth rate of 2.32% annually. The cost of living index stands at 91.509, suggesting that while medical coder salaries are above the national average, take-home pay improves significantly in terms of purchasing power given lower living costs. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, often influenced by factors like shift differentials, the necessity for specialty credentials, and comprehensive benefits packages. To maximize earnings in this specific market, aspiring coders should focus on obtaining advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties, as these credentials can provide substantial leverage in salary negotiations.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $53,072 for medical codersin 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 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