Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Great Falls, MT: $35,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Great Falls, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $35,228/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Great Falls's price premium (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $36,376 in average-cost America. The 17% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Senior medical billing and coding specialists in Great Falls can expect to earn a competitive salary, especially with experience exceeding seven years. In 2026, top-tier professionals can see earnings at the 90th percentile reaching $35,228, while those at the 75th percentile can earn $35,180. When comparing the 2026 estimates to the national average for this profession, which stands at $30,349, it is clear that those advancing beyond the median annual salary of $30,059 in Great Falls find significant financial rewards. Reaching this upper tier often requires a combination of skill proficiency across various coding specializations and strategic career advancements that leverage advanced certifications, like the CCS or CPC, and a commitment to ongoing education in coding practices such as ICD-10-CM.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Great Falls earn between $35,180 and $35,228 per year (2026 est.). This $11,217 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Great Falls median of $30,059 sits 0.96% below the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Great Falls | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $30,059 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,180 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $35,228 | $48,159 |
In Great Falls, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 17.20% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay in Great Falls
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $30,059 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Great Falls employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Great Falls command premium compensation, often reaching the $35,180–$35,228 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Great Falls metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical billing and coding specialists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical billing and coding specialists in Great Falls with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Montana who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career & Wage Growth Path in Great Falls
Clinical Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
5-10 yearsMedical Billing and Coding Specialist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGreat Falls ranks #7 of 7 Montana cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $35,228).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Great Falls ($35,228) is 9.22% below the Montana average P90 ($38,804).
2021 BLS Actual
$58,570
2025 BLS Actual
$34,429
2026 Current Est.
$35,228
2021–2027 Growth
+-38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Great Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,429 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,045 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Great Falls saw their compensation grow -41.2% from $58,570 in 2021 to $34,429 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $36,045 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Earnings in Great Falls
Advanced credentials and specialization are key drivers of senior medical billing and coding specialist pay in MT, particularly in Great Falls. Those proficient in inpatient coding (CCS) or risk adjustment coding (CRC) often command higher compensation, as these skills are increasingly in demand due to their complexity and the evolution of healthcare documentation standards. Salary variations can also arise from the type of employer; positions within hospital inpatient coding departments or third-party coding companies typically offer different pay scales compared to roles in physician group practices or consulting firms. For seasoned coders, leadership pathways like coding supervisor or HIM director are plausible routes for further career elevation. The continuous necessity for coding professionals to stay updated with coding standards—as mandated by AAPC and AHIMA—only enhances their value in the market. Non-salary compensation drivers, such as productivity bonuses and the option for remote work, further enrich the overall financial landscape for those in this sector.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Great Falls in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Great Falls?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Great Falls?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Great Falls?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Great Falls?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $34,429 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Great Falls metro area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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