Medical Coder jobs in Ames, IA
Medical Coders in the Ames area earn a median of $24.37 per hour, about $50,700 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $19.30 and $27.71. That ranks 119th of 369 U.S. metro areas for medical coder pay, and 53rd of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Ames. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Ames.
- $24.37median pay per hour, Ames
- $19–$28typical range per hour
- 70medical coders employed in the metro area
- 89cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Coder pay in Ames, IA
The metro median is 2% below the Iowa statewide median of $24.80 per hour. Nationally the median is $24.16 per hour. BLS counts about 70 medical records specialists employed in the Ames metro area, 1.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.06).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.12 | $33,530 | 33% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $19.30 | $40,140 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Median | $24.37 | $50,700 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $27.71 | $57,640 | 15% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $30.10 | $62,610 | 25% above U.S. median |
How Ames ranks
- 119th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 53rd of 328 after adjusting for local prices
- 5th of 8 Iowa metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Ames
- Overall prices in Ames run 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 31% below the U.S. average (index 69.2).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $24.37 median hour buys what $27.43 buys at the national price level, 14% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Ames Medical Coder pay report
Named employers near Ames, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Ames paycheck
- Per year: $43,866
- Per month: $3,656
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Ames metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Ames
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Greeley Medical Center Ames, IA | Acute care | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Medical Coder pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny, IA | 20 mi | $25.18/hr | 76,727 |
| Des Moines, IA | 31 mi | $25.18/hr | 213,096 |
| West Des Moines, IA | 34 mi | $25.18/hr | 73,664 |
| Waterloo, IA | 72 mi | $22.66/hr | 67,477 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 100 mi | $24.80/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 111 mi | $30.78/hr | 76,710 |
What employers ask for, and tax basics in Iowa
Medical coders translate diagnoses and procedures into billing and reporting codes.
- CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential
- Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS
- Experience with encoder and EHR systems
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Ames
Ames city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical coders make in Ames, IA?
Medical Coders in the Ames metro area have a median pay of $24.37 per hour, about $50,700 a year. The middle half earn between $19.30 and $27.71 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Ames a good place for medical coders once cost of living is counted?
Ames ranks 53rd of 328 metro areas for medical coder pay after adjusting for local prices, and 119th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical coders work in Ames?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Ames, led by Mary Greeley Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Ames as a medical coder?
CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Does Valorem Health place medical coders in Ames?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Ames and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Ames.
What do employers near Ames pay medical coders? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Medical Coder roles in Iowa, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Coder pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Iowa list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- CommonSpirit HealthCentennial, CO · 3 postings$34.69/ hr$26–$44
- Banner HealthArizona, AZ · 3 postings$31.92/ hr$26–$44
- Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 3 postings$31.75/ hr$24–$46
- Sarah Bush Lincoln Health SystemIllinois · 4 postings$28.97/ hr$23–$37
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Iowa list
2What they are offering now
53 Coder postings with published pay in the US, 44 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Coder roles
Open Coder roles near Ames, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.