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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15.34/hr | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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 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.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 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