Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Helena, MT: $28,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Helena, MT earns a median $28,729/year (≈ $13.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $30,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Helena, Montana, can expect a median annual salary of $28,729, a figure that is notably below the national median of $30,349. This salary is part of a broader range that spans from $23,910 at the 10th percentile to $46,307 at the 90th percentile, offering varied earning potential based on experience and skills. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the evolving nature of the field, especially in a post-pandemic environment where remote work has expanded job opportunities. While the salaries in Helena may seem modest compared to national figures, the local job market remains competitive, particularly with specialization in areas like risk adjustment coding gaining traction.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,910 | $11.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,887 | $12.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,729 | $13.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,574 | $17.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,307 | $22.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,397 (2026 est.). At $28,729, the local median is 5.34% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Helena Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Helena median: $28,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $30,052 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -5.34% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$25,618
2025 BLS Actual
$28,078
2026 Current Est.
$28,729
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,618 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,904 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,782 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,078 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,396 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $25,618 (2021) to $28,078 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,396 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,778 (14.75%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $23,910 – $25,887 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,887 – $28,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,729 – $36,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,574 – $46,307 |
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 Helena
A total of 60 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed in Helena, reflecting a stable job market for this profession. The cost-of-living index in Helena stands at 95.675, making it slightly more affordable than many national areas, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries earned. Employers in Helena, such as physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, tend to offer some of the highest pay rates. Factors contributing to the salary disparity include specialty areas, such as inpatient CCS coding versus outpatient services, credential stacking with certifications like CPC, CCS, and CRC, as well as productivity bonuses. To maximize earnings in Helena, professionals should pursue additional certifications and consider roles in higher-paying sectors, like consulting firms or remote coding, focusing on continual learning in ICD-10-CM and CPT updates to stay competitive.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Helena, MT in 2026?
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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 $28,078 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Helena 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, 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