Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Helena, MT: $13.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Helena, MT runs $13.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,729 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Helena's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,239 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical billing and coding professionals in Helena, Montana, can expect an hourly median pay of $13.81, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $14.59. This difference is significant for part-time workers and those in per-diem roles, as it translates to a varied earning potential based on hours worked. For individuals working three days a week (approximately 24 hours), the income can provide a manageable living or serve as supplemental earnings. The official BLS data further indicates an hourly range from $11.49 for entry-level roles to $22.26 for experienced specialists, highlighting the growth potential within this profession. Most medical billing and coding specialists operate from home offices or in hospital coding departments, a shift that has become the norm post-2020 due to the increasing demand for remote work.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.49 | $91.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.44 | $99.54 |
| Median (P50) | $13.81 | $110.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.59 | $140.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.26 | $178.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Helena
Based on $13.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.81/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Helena, MT can expect to earn approximately $28,731 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,576. With a cost-of-living index of 95.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Helena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Helena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $552.53 | $2,394 | $28,731 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $331.52 | $1,437 | $17,239 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $221.01 | $958 | $11,493 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Helena) | $13.81 |
| 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 Helena, MT earn a median of $28,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.34% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.40% below the Montana state average of $30,052.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.81/hr = $17,239/year (purchasing power: $18,018).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,731/year (purchasing power: $30,030).
CoL index: 95.675 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$12.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.81/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Helena (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Helena grew 9.6% from $12.32/hr (2021) to $13.50/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.13/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 Helena 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 Helena
For those considering a part-time position as a medical billing and coding specialist in Helena, the financial outlook can differ significantly based on work arrangements. A part-time worker averaging 24 hours weekly would earn approximately $17,077 annually, which is substantially less than full-time counterparts. The per diem or agency options might yield higher pay rates, with independent coders billing anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour; specialized roles like CCS inpatient coders and CRC risk adjustment specialists command even higher rates. Varying hourly rates are common across different employer types, such as physician group practices, third-party coding companies, and consulting firms. Some specialists may opt for roles with lower hourly rates to secure benefits like health insurance, often balancing immediate earnings against long-term financial security. For those negotiating hourly pay, emphasizing relevant experience and certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA can provide leverage, especially in an industry increasingly focused on risk adjustment and compliance coding.
More salary data for Helena, 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 Helena. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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