Medical Coder Salary in Johnston, IA: $37,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Johnston, IA earns a median $37,771/year (≈ $18.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $41,782 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for medical coders in 2026 is $37,771, presenting a competitive but slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $41,861. The local salary range extends from $30,016 at the lower tenth percentile to $57,599 at the upper ninetieth percentile, highlighting significant variability within the local market. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional factors, indicates a small workforce of four medical coders in the area. Consequently, the market appears to be somewhat saturated, suggesting that while job opportunities exist, competition may influence individual earning potential for medical coding professionals in Johnston.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,016 | $14.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,525 | $16.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,771 | $18.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,469 | $22.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,599 | $27.69 |
Median Salary Position
9.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,583 (2026 est.). At $37,771, the local median is 9.77% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Medical Coder Pay Compares
Johnston median: $37,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,702 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -9.77% less |
Medical Coders in Johnston, IA earn a median of $37,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.77% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $40,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston 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.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $37,771 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,782 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$33,681
2025 BLS Actual
$36,915
2026 Current Est.
$37,771
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Johnston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $33,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,211 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,596 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,915 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,648 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $33,681 (2021) to $36,915 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,967 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $30,016 – $33,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,525 – $37,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,771 – $47,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,469 – $57,599 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Johnston
The medical coder pay in Johnston, IA, reflects the area's cost of living, which stands below the national average with an index of 90.4. This lower cost may enhance take-home purchasing power, despite relatively modest pay levels. Employment within private practices, large healthcare facilities, and specialty clinics can offer varying wages; generally, larger organizations tend to provide higher compensation packages, which may include valuable benefits. Factors contributing to salary differences include shift differentials, the level of specialty credentials, and the overall structure of employee benefits. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in the local market, pursuing certification in specialized coding areas and gaining experience in larger healthcare settings could be advantageous. Understanding how much do medical coders make in Johnston could inform career choices, particularly as the field anticipates a growth rate of 2.32% annually.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $36,915 for medical codersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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 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