Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $13.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Waukee, IA runs $13.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,227 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,932 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Waukee, Iowa, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $13.57 in 2026, which is below the national median of $14.59 per hour. This rate provides a baseline for both part-time professionals working three days a week, and per-diem workers who may take on flexible shifts, often from remote home offices. Earnings for entry-level specialists start at approximately $10.27, while experienced coders can earn up to $19.76 per hour depending on their skills and the type of employer. Medical billing and coding specialists typically find themselves in various settings including hospital health information management departments, physician offices, and third-party coding companies, with the latter becoming increasingly common due to the shift toward remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.27 | $82.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.72 | $93.73 |
| Median (P50) | $13.57 | $108.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.43 | $131.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.76 | $158.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $13.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.57/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $28,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,281. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $542.71 | $2,352 | $28,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $325.62 | $1,411 | $16,932 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $217.08 | $941 | $11,288 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Waukee) | $13.57 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Waukee, IA earn a median of $28,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.99% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $29,495.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.57/hr = $16,932/year (purchasing power: $18,731).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,221/year (purchasing power: $31,218).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$12.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.57/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Waukee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Waukee grew 9.6% from $12.10/hr (2021) to $13.26/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Waukee
For those considering part-time opportunities, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week could anticipate taking home around $17,779 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague. Per diem roles are particularly lucrative, with these specialists commonly billing between $25 and $42 per hour. Within Waukee, employer type dramatically influences hourly rates; specialists working in physician group practices or hospital settings may earn less than those in third-party coding companies or risk adjustment coding roles for Medicare Advantage payers, where hourly pay could reach up to $65 for highly qualified individuals. Coders facing the choice between lower hourly wages with benefits versus higher rates without insurance coverage must weigh their options carefully. Negotiating pay in Waukee can be particularly strategic—employers value certified credentials, making it beneficial for specialists to emphasize their qualifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA during discussions about compensation.
More salary data for Waukee, 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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Waukee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waukee 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