Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Butte, MT: $14.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Butte, MT runs $14.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,211 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Butte's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,533 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $14.05 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $14.59. This wage can significantly affect the earning potential of part-time workers, particularly those who might opt for a three-day workweek. Such arrangements allow these specialists to maintain a work-life balance while earning around $672 each week, or roughly $35,000 annually if they work 48 weeks a year. For those starting out, the hourly pay can begin at $10.00, while more seasoned professionals with specialized skills may command as much as $21.76 per hour. Positions for these specialists can be found in various settings, including remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, physician practices, and third-party coding companies, especially in the post-2020 landscape where remote work became prevalent.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.00 | $79.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.21 | $97.65 |
| Median (P50) | $14.05 | $112.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.84 | $142.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.76 | $174.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Butte
Based on $14.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.05/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Butte, MT can expect to earn approximately $29,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,858. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Butte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Butte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $561.94 | $2,435 | $29,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $337.16 | $1,461 | $17,533 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $224.78 | $974 | $11,688 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Butte) | $14.05 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Butte, MT earn a median of $29,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.75% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $30,053.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.05/hr = $17,533/year (purchasing power: $18,225).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,221/year (purchasing power: $30,375).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$12.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.05/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Butte (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Butte grew 9.6% from $12.53/hr (2021) to $13.73/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Butte
Considering part-time opportunities, a medical billing and coding specialist working just three days a week could earn an annual income that may not compete with full-time salaries but still provide a steady income. Alternatively, some specialists choose the per diem route, where compensation can range from $25 to $42 per hour, depending on their expertise. For instance, inpatient coders with proper credentials like CCS might see hourly rates rise as high as $55, while specialists in risk adjustment coding often experience even higher pay rates. The type of employer significantly influences these rates; for example, coding in physician practices might offer lower hourly pay compared to consulting firms, which generally provide higher compensation but often at the cost of benefits. Many professionals in Butte negotiate hourly rates knowing that a slightly lower pay may be acceptable if it includes essential benefits. Each individual's situation can vary, so understanding the local market and available positions is vital when establishing one's worth in this evolving field.
More salary data for Butte, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, CPC
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Butte. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Butte is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov