Medical Records Specialist salary in Ames, IA
Medical Records Specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $49,850 a year ($23.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,120 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $51,140. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $50,640. There are 1.2 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| 25th percentile | $41,010 | $19.72 |
| Median | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| 75th percentile | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,120 | $35.16 |
| Average (mean) | $51,070 | $24.55 |
Half of medical records specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,077.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,917.31 |
| Weekly | $958.65 |
| Hourly | $23.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Records Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $66,340 | 330 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $56,830 | 760 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $54,270 | 490 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,710 | 180 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $47,680 | 80 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,130 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,560 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for medical records specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 |
| Washington | $62,270 |
| California | $61,810 |
| New York | $61,720 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 |
| Alaska | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 |
See Medical Records Specialist pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $40,860 | $19.64 |
| Paramedic | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2072. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical records specialist make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for medical records specialists in the Ames, IA metro area is $49,850 a year, or $23.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $73,120 a year. The top 25% earn $60,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,750 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $41,010 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Ames, IA?
About 70 medical records specialists are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.