Medical Coder Salary in Des Moines, IA: $44,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Des Moines, IA earns a median $44,423/year (≈ $21.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $48,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a workforce of approximately 490 medical coders, Des Moines, IA, presents a competitive market for professionals in this field. Projected data for 2026 indicates a median annual salary of $44,423, which is 6.12% higher than the national average of $41,861. The salary range for medical coders in the area spans from a lower threshold of $34,781 at the 10th percentile to as high as $57,766 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in pay based on experience and qualifications. This compensation landscape is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, illustrating a solid financial opportunity for those interested in a medical coding career in Des Moines.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,781 | $16.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,340 | $18.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,423 | $21.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,108 | $25.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,766 | $27.77 |
Median Salary Position
6.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,985 (2026 est.). At $44,423, the local median is 6.12% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Medical Coder Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $44,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,681 | +9.20% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +6.12% more |
Medical Coders in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $44,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.12% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 9.20% above the Iowa state average of $40,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $44,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,470
2025 BLS Actual
$43,416
2026 Current Est.
$44,423
2021–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders 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 | $39,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,454 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 10.0% from $39,470 (2021) to $43,416 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,984 (15.16%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,781 – $39,340 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,340 – $44,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,423 – $53,108 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,108 – $57,766 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Des Moines
Employers in Des Moines significantly influence the local job market, particularly in terms of salary structures and employee benefits. The cost of living index in Des Moines is 91.701, suggesting that residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle than the national average. This effective purchasing power can make the medical coder salary in Des Moines particularly appealing. Large healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest wages, followed by specialty clinics and community health centers, whereas smaller private practices often have tighter budgets for compensation. Factors contributing to the salary range include shift differentials, the necessity for specialized credentials, and the overall benefits package offered by employers. For those seeking to maximize their medical coder pay in Des Moines, developing additional certifications and gaining experience in diverse environments can enhance potential earnings.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
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Can medical coders make $100K in Des Moines?
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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 $43,416 for medical codersin the Des Moines 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
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 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