Medical Records Specialist salary in Iowa
Medical Records Specialists in Iowa earn a median of $50,640 a year ($24.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,390 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $51,140. Iowa ranks 31st of 51 states for medical records specialists pay. There are 1.4 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| 25th percentile | $44,500 | $21.40 |
| Median | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| 75th percentile | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Average (mean) | $53,470 | $25.71 |
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 | $4,220 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,110 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,947.69 |
| Weekly | $973.85 |
| Hourly | $24.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Records Specialist salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| Ames, IA | $49,850 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for medical records specialists in Iowa is $50,640 a year, or $24.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Iowa?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in Iowa earn at least $66,390 a year. The top 25% earn $61,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,910 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $44,500 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Iowa?
About 2,250 medical records specialists are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.