"How long does it take to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Montana?"

"Most paths into the medical billing and coding specialist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"Do medical billing and coding specialists need a license in Montana?"

"No statewide license is required for medical billing and coding specialists in Montana. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder), and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)."

"What apprenticeships are available for medical billing and coding specialists in Montana?"

"In Montana, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Montana Apprenticeship and Training Program, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Montana

Q: "How much do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Montana?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), medical billing and coding specialists in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,190. Employment concentration in Montana is about 1.27 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in Montana?"

"Montana currently employs approximately 820 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Montana medical records specialists earn a median annual wage of $50,190 ($24.13/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 820 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -1.9% below the national median of $51,140 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $50,190 ($24.13/hr)
25th percentile: $43,970 per year
75th percentile: $59,770 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $64,540 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $40,460 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 820
Versus national median: -1.9% below the U.S. median of $51,140
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.27 - this occupation is more concentrated in Montana than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Montana employs approximately 820 medical billing and coding specialists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,190 ¹. The state’s concentration of medical billing and coding specialist jobs is 1.27x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, medical billing and coding specialist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,200 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Montana, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Montana

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Montana? Montana does not require a state license for medical billing and coding specialists, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist). Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Montana? No state license is required, but certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) are expected by most employers.

What do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Montana? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Montana is $50,190 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,460 and experienced professionals can earn $64,540 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Montana): $50,190 per year ¹

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification Options in Montana

Montana does not require a state license to work as a medical billing and coding specialist. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for medical billing and coding specialists include:

CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)

For more information, visit the AAPC - Medical Coding Certification ³. Contact training programs in Montana for details on certification preparation courses.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Wages by Metro Area in Montana

Medical Records Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Montana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical records specialists wages in Montana vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	260	$50,190	$51,980	$40,560	$62,820
Missoula	90	$52,530	$53,350	$38,730	$65,960
Bozeman	60	$53,000	$55,810	$46,280	$66,420
Helena	60	$48,410	$55,110	$40,290	$78,030
Great Falls	50	$50,650	$51,990	$40,460	$59,360

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Medical billing and coding specialists in Montana

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical billing and coding specialist employment within Montana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Billings	260	$50,190
Missoula	90	$52,530
Bozeman	60	$53,000
Helena	60	$48,410
Great Falls	50	$50,650

Explore More Trades in Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 820 medical billing and coding specialists ¹. Nationally, medical billing and coding specialist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Montana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Montana.

How much do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Montana is $50,190, which is $60 below the national median of $50,250 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
AAPC - Medical Coding Certification: https://www.aapc.com/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)