Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cedar Falls, IA: $28,899 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Cedar Falls, IA earns a median $28,899/year (≈ $13.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Cedar Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $31,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist salary in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is projected to be $28,899, which represents a slight decline compared to national trends. The expected salary range for specialists in this field varies significantly, from $20,589 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $43,551 (90th percentile). These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics state-level data and adjusted for regional living costs, highlight the competitive nature of the job market here. While Cedar Falls may not match the national median of $30,349, opportunities remain robust for those willing to adapt to the evolving landscape of remote work, especially as the majority of positions have transitioned to remote formats post-2020.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,589 | $9.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,803 | $12.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,899 | $13.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35,701 | $17.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,551 | $20.93 |
Median Salary Position
4.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Falls
In Cedar Falls, IA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,962 (2026 est.). At $28,899, the local median is 4.78% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Falls Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Cedar Falls median: $28,899/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $29,489 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -4.78% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $28,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.78% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.00% below the Iowa state average of $29,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Falls 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.
Cedar Falls, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$25,770
2025 BLS Actual
$28,244
2026 Current Est.
$28,899
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cedar Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,941 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,196 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,244 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,899 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,570 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Falls metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $25,770 (2021) to $28,244 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,800 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Falls 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) | $20,589 – $25,803 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,803 – $28,899 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,899 – $35,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $35,701 – $43,551 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Cedar Falls
Analyzing the local job scene, there are currently eight medical billing and coding specialists employed in Cedar Falls, a relatively small workforce reflecting a controlled local market. The area's cost-of-living index sits at 90.4, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power for these positions tends to be more favorable. In Cedar Falls, employers that pay the most often include physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments, which are typically able to offer higher wages compared to consulting firms or third-party coding companies. Factors affecting the wage spread include specialization, such as inpatient coding (CCS) compared to outpatient coding (CPC) as well as additional certifications. Those looking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Cedar Falls, IA, should consider obtaining multiple credentials, such as CPC combined with CCS and CRC, and exploring productivity bonuses related to the number of charts coded per hour, leveraging the shift towards remote work for greater flexibility.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, 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
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 $28,244 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls 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