Statewide the demand for medical billing and coding professionals in Montana is projected to be higher than average by both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Research and Analysis Bureau. As demand rises the average salary for a billing and coding professional in Montana is also expected to increase.
Currently medical billing and coding professionals in the top 10 percent of their field earn $10,000 more than the average person in Montana. A stable salary and regular source of income are two of the main reasons residents choose to pursue medical billing and coding careers in Montana.
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Besides demand, location is another factor that has a significant influence of the salary of medical billing and coding professionals. Salaries for urban workers in places like Missoula, Great Falls, and Billings tend to be higher on average than the salaries of those who are employed in more rural locations. However medical billing and coding is a skill that can be in demand virtually anywhere a medical service is provided. In both rural and urban environments, highly skilled professionals can always expect a competitive salary. The following chart represents average salaries by location and percentile:
Generally speaking average salaries increase as one moves east of Missoula, and are the greatest in the central regions of the state. Billings is the city with the highest average yearly salary at nearly $3,000 more than the city with the second-highest average annual salary, Great Falls. Billings is also the city with the highest paid top-tenth percentile of billing and coding professionals, and is the midpoint between the southwestern and eastern regions of the state where the top professionals in this field can find the highest average wages.
As far as general regions, Central and Southwestern Montana offer the highest average annual medical billing and coding salaries, however the eastern region of the state is not far behind, followed by Western Montana. The highest salaries are found in cities with the largest concentrations of professionals, and an average salary can vary by as much as nearly $8,000 depending on one’s area of residence.
Career Outlook for 2019
Being able to demonstrate a high level of skill and adeptness as a medical billing and coding professional is one of the best ways to increase one’s salary potential. In addition to proving oneself with quality work over years, one of the best ways to demonstrate valuable skills is by earning a credential in the medical billing and coding field. This can be anything ranging from a diploma or certification to a relevant associate’s or bachelor’s of science degree.
As the medical billing and coding job market expands in Montana, positioning oneself for promotion or employment in higher-level positions is also a strategic move to increase salary potential. As with gaining initial employment, having a competitive credential in this field is one of the best ways to ensure career advancement when opportunities arise.