Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $25,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Des Moines, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $25,216 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Moines's local price level (BEA RPP 91.7 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $27,498 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($32,207) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the medical billing and coding field in Des Moines, IA, can expect a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of around $25,216 in 2026. While this figure falls below the city's median annual salary of $32,207, it presents a solid opportunity for growth in the early years of your career. Over the first three to five years, individuals in this profession can anticipate gradually increasing their earnings as they advance from entry-level positions to more experienced roles, moving from the 10th percentile to approximately $28,522 to reach the city’s median. Des Moines currently offers a favorable job market for recent graduates, especially given its relatively low cost of living index of 91.701, which makes these starting wages stretch further than they might in higher-cost areas.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Moines
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Des Moines, IA typically start between $25,216 and $28,522 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,665 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $32,207 — 6.12% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Iowa of $3,200 represents just 12.69% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($25,216/year) in Des Moines. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Des Moines
- 1Research the Des Moines market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $25,216 to $28,522, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Moines, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Des Moines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Moines's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Des Moines is $16,665 ( 66.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $25,216, experienced hygienists can earn up to $41,881.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$31,400
2025 BLS Actual
$24,644
2026 Current Est.
$25,216
2021–2027 Growth
+-17.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Des Moines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,644 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,801 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Moines, IA grew -21.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,400 in 2021 to $24,644 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $25,801. New graduates entering the Des Moines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Des Moines
Several employers in the Des Moines area are on the lookout for new graduates to fill roles as medical billing and coding specialists. Third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams often seek candidates with foundational credentials, such as the AAPC CPC-A (apprentice) certification, allowing for structured mentorship. Additionally, entry-level positions are available in physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), providing a pathway for new graduates. To enhance earning potential, pursuing further credentials from recognized organizations like AAPC or AHIMA is vital; certifications such as the CCS for inpatient coding can lead to higher pay. As medical coding has shifted to predominantly remote work since 2020, maintaining proficiency in coding standards like ICD-10-CM and CPT is essential for success. In the first few years, salary growth is realistic as new coders navigate this evolving industry, particularly within high-growth areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Des Moines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 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