Medical Records Specialist salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Medical Records Specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $47,680 a year ($22.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,020 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $51,140. Pay here is 6% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $50,640. There are 0.98 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $50,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Median | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| 75th percentile | $57,420 | $27.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| Average (mean) | $50,300 | $24.19 |
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 | $3,973.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,986.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,833.85 |
| Weekly | $916.92 |
| Hourly | $22.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| Ames, IA | $49,850 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,710 | 180 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Paramedic | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for medical records specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $47,680 a year, or $22.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $63,020 a year. The top 25% earn $57,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $43,490 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 80 medical records specialists are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.