Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bismarck, ND: $51,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Bismarck, ND — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $51,963/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Bismarck's price premium (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $57,087 in average-cost America. The 87% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bismarck, experienced medical billing and coding specialists are positioned to earn competitive salaries, particularly the top-tier professionals who can command salaries as high as $51,963 in 2026. This peak earning potential highlights a substantial gap between the median annual earnings of $27,727 and the higher wages available to those who have honed their skills through years of practice, demonstrating a clear experience premium in this profession. These top earners not only benefit from extensive knowledge of coding standards like ICD-10-CM and CPT but also often possess specialized certifications that enhance their marketability. Mastery of coding in high-demand areas such as inpatient, surgical, and oncology coding is essential for those aiming to reach the upper end of this salary range in Bismarck, ND.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Bismarck earn between $36,616 and $51,963 per year (2026 est.). This $28,070 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Bismarck median of $27,727 sits 8.64% below the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Bismarck | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $27,727 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,616 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $51,963 | $48,159 |
In Bismarck, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 87.41% 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 Bismarck
Advanced Certifications in North Dakota
ND medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $27,727 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Bismarck employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Bismarck command premium compensation, often reaching the $36,616–$51,963 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Bismarck 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 Bismarck 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 North Dakota 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 Bismarck
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
AdvancedBismarck ranks #1 of 8 North Dakota cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $51,963).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Bismarck ($51,963) is 13.08% above the North Dakota average P90 ($45,954).
2021 BLS Actual
$61,680
2025 BLS Actual
$50,785
2026 Current Est.
$51,963
2021–2027 Growth
+-13.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bismarck (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,169 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Bismarck saw their compensation grow -17.7% from $61,680 in 2021 to $50,785 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 $53,169 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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 Bismarck
For senior-level medical billers and coders, particular specializations are crucial in determining compensation packages. Professionals who have achieved advanced certifications such as the AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or the AHIMA's Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) are often rewarded with increased pay, particularly when they focus on high-demand coding fields like risk adjustment (CRC) or anesthesia coding. Additionally, variations in payer types—ranging from hospital coding departments to independent consulting firms—can significantly impact salary brackets for experienced workers. These diverse settings also provide pathways for leadership roles, potentially leading to titles like coding supervisor or health information management (HIM) director. Advanced credentials and the ability to take on auditing responsibilities further enhance earning prospects, especially in a shifting market where remote work has become the norm. Therefore, understanding the specific needs of employers and aligning one's skill set accordingly can lead to higher annual income and additional non-salary benefits in Bismarck's coding sector.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Bismarck in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Bismarck?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Bismarck?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Bismarck?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Bismarck?
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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 $50,785 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Bismarck 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