Medical Coder jobs in Waterloo, IA
Pay for medical coders in the Waterloo area centers on $22.66 per hour, or about $47,130 a year. The lower quarter earns under $19.23 and the upper quarter over $25.62. That ranks 214th of 369 U.S. metro areas for medical coder pay, and 90th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Waterloo. The free report below lists employers near Waterloo and what they pay.
- $22.66median pay per hour, Waterloo
- $19–$26typical range per hour
- 120medical coders employed in the metro area
- 87cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Coder pay in Waterloo, IA
The metro median is 9% below the Iowa statewide median of $24.80 per hour. Nationally the median is $24.16 per hour. BLS counts about 120 medical records specialists employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area, 1.4 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.11).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.16 | $37,770 | 25% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $19.23 | $40,000 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Median | $22.66 | $47,130 | 6% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $25.62 | $53,290 | 6% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $30.12 | $62,650 | 25% above U.S. median |
How Waterloo ranks
- 214th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 90th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
- 7th 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 Waterloo
- Overall prices in Waterloo-Cedar Falls run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.1, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 37% below the U.S. average (index 63.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $22.66 median hour buys what $26.03 buys at the national price level, 8% 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 Waterloo Medical Coder pay report
Named employers near Waterloo, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Waterloo paycheck
- Per year: $40,788
- Per month: $3,399
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Waterloo
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterloo.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center Waterloo, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Allen Hospital Waterloo, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 50 mi | $24.80/hr | 137,904 |
| Iowa City, IA | 72 mi | $30.78/hr | 76,710 |
| Ames, IA | 72 mi | $24.37/hr | 69,026 |
| Ankeny, IA | 83 mi | $25.18/hr | 76,727 |
| Dubuque, IA | 84 mi | $24.45/hr | 58,987 |
| Des Moines, IA | 91 mi | $25.18/hr | 213,096 |
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 Waterloo
Waterloo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical coders make in Waterloo, IA?
Medical Coders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area have a median pay of $22.66 per hour, about $47,130 a year. The middle half earn between $19.23 and $25.62 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Waterloo a good place for medical coders once cost of living is counted?
Waterloo-Cedar Falls ranks 90th of 328 metro areas for medical coder pay after adjusting for local prices, and 214th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 13% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical coders work in Waterloo?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Waterloo, led by Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Waterloo 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 Waterloo?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Waterloo and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Waterloo.
What do employers near Waterloo 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 Waterloo, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.