Medical Coder Salary in Montana: $41,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $41,517/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,157 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($42,400), Missoula ($42,024), Great Falls ($40,520).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical coders in Montana is projected to be $41,517, which is slightly below the national median of $41,861, reflecting a gap of 0.8%. Within the state, salaries vary significantly from city to city. Bozeman offers the highest average salary at $43,384, while Kalispell has the lowest at $39,589, demonstrating a difference of $3,795. This disparity is influenced by local cost of living, demand for medical services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in each area. Montana has specific licensing requirements and laws governing practice that affect the medical coding field. Educational qualifications and certification, such as obtaining a CPC, can enhance job prospects and potentially lead to higher salaries. Current trends indicate a growth rate of 2.32% for medical coder positions, signaling steady demand for skilled professionals in this sector. The total employment of medical coders in Montana is projected at 531, concentrated in urban areas such as Missoula with an average salary of $42,999, Great Falls at $41,460, Billings at $41,084, and Butte at $40,292. These figures suggest a stable job market with consistent opportunities for those entering the profession.
Montana Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $28,668 (lowest entry-level) to $63,872 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana medical coders earn 0.82% less than the national median ($-344/year difference).
Montana Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Montana range from $33,358 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $53,522 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,517. The Montana median is $344 below the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $19.96/hr. Approximately 531 medical coders are employed across 7 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$47,520
2025 BLS Actual
$40,576
2026 Current Est.
$41,517
2021–2027 Growth
+-10.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Montana (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,557 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,947 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,576 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,480 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -14.6% from $47,520 (2021) to $40,576 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,480 by 2027 — a total increase of $-5,040 (-10.61%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kalispell | $39,589 |
| Helena | $39,626 |
| Butte | $40,292 |
| Billings | $41,084 |
| Great Falls | $41,460 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $42,999 | 96.445 | $44,584 |
| Billings | $41,084 | 93.526 | $43,928 |
| Great Falls | $41,460 | 96.845 | $42,811 |
| Bozeman | $43,384 | 102.51 | $42,322 |
| Butte | $40,292 | 96.2 | $41,884 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,358 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,517 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $53,522 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Montana?
How does Montana medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Montana?
How many medical coders are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for medical coders?
Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and 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 coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov