Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $14.99 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Missoula, MT runs $14.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $31,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $18,707 per year.

$31,174
Median Annual Salary
$14.99/hr
Hourly Rate
$22,984
Entry Level (P10)
$39,145
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Missoula, MT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Missoula, MT medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Missoula, Montana, the current medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay averages $14.99, surpassing the national hourly median of $14.59. This competitive rate allows for various work schedules, making it advantageous for part-time employees or those pursuing per-diem opportunities. Specialists often find themselves in remote settings, such as home offices or telecommuting from third-party coding firms, which has become prevalent since 2020. Additionally, on-site positions in hospital health information management (HIM) departments and physician coding offices offer flexibility to those looking to balance work with other commitments. Entry-level workers can expect starting wages around $11.05, while top earners in Missoula can make up to $18.82, according to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$11.05$88.40
Lower Range (P25)$13.06$104.45
Median (P50)$14.99$119.92
Upper Range (P75)$16.81$134.49
Top Earners (P90)$18.82$150.53

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula

Based on $14.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Missoula earning $14.99/hr would make approximately $17,988 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $31,179 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$17,988Reduced (32 hr/wk)$23,984Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$31,179

At $14.99/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $31,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,988. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$119.92
per 8hr shift
$599.60
per week
$2,598
per month
$31,179
per year

Schedule Comparison in Missoula

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$599.60$2,598$31,179
Part-Time (24 hrs)$359.76$1,559$18,707
Per Diem (16 hrs)$239.84$1,039$12,472

Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Missoula)$14.99
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Missoula ($31,174) with Montana average ($30,062) and the US national median ($30,349).Missoula$31,174Montana Avg$30,062+3.70%US National$30,349+2.72%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Missoula, MT earn a median of $31,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.72% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 3.70% above the Montana state average of $30,062.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $14.99/hr = $18,707/year (purchasing power: $19,397).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $31,179/year (purchasing power: $32,328).

CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2021 BLS Actual

$22.52/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$14.65/hr

2026 Current Est.

$14.99/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+-31.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Missoula (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula. Baseline $22.52/hr in 2025, projected to $15.34/hr by 2027.$13$16$19$22$2520212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.52$22.61$22.19$23.25$14.65$14.99$15.34
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$22.52/hrActual
2022$22.61/hrActual
2023$22.19/hrActual
2024$23.25/hrActual
2025$14.65/hrActual
2026(current)$14.99/hrEstimated
2027$15.34/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula grew -34.9% from $22.52/hr (2021) to $14.65/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $15.34/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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Missoula

Looking at the potential for part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in the Missoula area, a typical 3-day workweek totaling 24 hours would yield approximately $37,196 annually if working 52 weeks at the median pay. In contrast, 1099 coders can significantly increase their earnings, charging between $25 to $42 per hour for per-diem roles or even higher for specialized positions such as CCS inpatient coders earning $35 to $55 per hour. Hourly rates vary significantly depending on the type of employer; coding departments in physician practice settings may offer lower hourly rates compared to third-party coding companies that allow for more remote work. Those pursuing higher wages may be challenged by the trade-off of benefits when negotiating their contracts. It's important for workers to clearly communicate their worth and research industry standards during negotiations to ensure fair compensation while considering the opportunities available throughout Missoula and the broader MT market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula is $14.99/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $11.05 at entry level (10th percentile) to $18.82 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 2.7% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Missoula?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Missoula earns approximately $1,559/month, or $18,707/year at the median hourly rate of $14.99. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula are paid hourly at a median rate of $14.99/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $31,179/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Missoula?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Missoula earns approximately $31,179/year at the median hourly rate of $14.99. This is 2.7% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $39,139/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Missoula?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Missoula sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $18.82/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Montana

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Missoula. 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, 5-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

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