Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Billings, MT: $29,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Billings, MT earns a median $29,785/year (≈ $14.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $31,847 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Billings, Montana earn a median annual salary of $29,785, slightly below the national median of $30,349. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $24,071 at the 10th percentile to $37,281 at the 90th percentile. Understanding credential stacking is pivotal for maximizing earning potential in this field; obtaining certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can greatly enhance career prospects and long-term income. For those considering a role in this sector, the data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights the importance of dynamic skills in navigating the local job market in Billings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,071 | $11.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26,095 | $12.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,785 | $14.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35,524 | $17.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,281 | $17.93 |
Median Salary Position
1.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,210 (2026 est.). At $29,785, the local median is 1.86% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Billings median: $29,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $30,056 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -1.86% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Billings, MT earn a median of $29,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.86% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.90% below the Montana state average of $30,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,847 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,070
2025 BLS Actual
$29,110
2026 Current Est.
$29,785
2021–2027 Growth
+-36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Billings (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,856 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,476 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -39.4% from $48,070 (2021) to $29,110 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $-17,594 (-36.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $24,071 – $26,095 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $26,095 – $29,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,785 – $35,524 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $35,524 – $37,281 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Billings
Overall, Billings has approximately 260 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed, reflecting a steady demand in the region. The city's cost of living index at 93.526 suggests that salaries, while slightly lower than the national average, still offer respectable purchasing power, particularly for those entering the workforce. Employers across various settings, such as physician group practices, hospital coding departments, and insurance companies, tend to pay the highest salaries, with inpatient coding roles often leading the market. Factors such as specialization, productivity bonuses, and remote work opportunities can create a significant variance in pay. To maximize earnings in Billings MT, professionals should consider diversifying their credentials and gaining experience in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding, which has seen increasing growth in recent years.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Billings, MT in 2026?
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Billings?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $29,110 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Billings metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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