Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Des Moines, WA: $16.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Des Moines, WA runs $16.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,296 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,572 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Des Moines, Washington, earn a median hourly rate of $16.48, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This favorable hourly figure makes it a viable option for part-time workers seeking flexibility in their careers, such as those operating from home offices, busy hospital HIM departments, or coding practices within clinics. The range of hourly pay varies from entry-level positions starting at approximately $12.20 to experienced coders earning up to $25.48 an hour. These rates reflect the demand for skilled professionals who are adept at navigating the intricacies of coding systems, particularly in environments where remote work has become the norm since 2020.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.20 | $97.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.09 | $112.72 |
| Median (P50) | $16.48 | $131.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.71 | $165.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.48 | $203.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $16.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.48/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, WA can expect to earn approximately $34,286 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,781. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $659.35 | $2,857 | $34,286 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $395.61 | $1,714 | $20,572 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $263.74 | $1,143 | $13,714 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Des Moines) | $16.48 |
| 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 Des Moines, WA earn a median of $34,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.01% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $34,607.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.48/hr = $20,572/year (purchasing power: $19,154).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,286/year (purchasing power: $31,924).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.48/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Des Moines grew 9.6% from $14.70/hr (2021) to $16.11/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.87/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Des Moines
Considering the hourly pay structure, a medical billing and coding specialist working three days a week, or 24 hours, can expect to take home around $20,000 annually if billing at a rate close to the median. For those in per diem or contract positions, compensation can increase substantially, with rates typically ranging from $25 to $42 per hour for 1099 workers, and specialized roles like CCS inpatient coders drawing $35 to $55 per hour. In Des Moines, hourly rates fluctuate based on employer types; coders in hospital inpatient departments or third-party coding companies might earn less due to benefits, while insurance audit teams or consulting firms may offer higher pay without benefits. It's wise for specialists to negotiate effectively, prioritizing hourly pay along with benefit considerations to find the best compensation package tailored to their personal and professional needs.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Des Moines in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Des Moines?
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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 Des Moines. 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 Des Moines 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