Medical Transcriptionists
SOC code 31-9094 · O*NET-SOC 31-9094.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Medical Transcriptionists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$40,410
a year
Hourly
$19.43
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$41,710
$20.05 per hour
Middle 50%
$34,150 – $48,000
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$28,250 – $55,950
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
41,550
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $28,250
- $13.58/hr
- 25th percentile
- $34,150
- $16.42/hr
- Median percentile
- $40,410
- $19.43/hr
- 75th percentile
- $48,000
- $23.08/hr
- 90th percentile
- $55,950
- $26.90/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
-5%
Declining
43,900
jobs in 2024
41,800
projected for 2034
About 2,100 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a medical transcriptionist do?
Transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices, covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports and translate abbreviations into fully understandable form. Edit as necessary and return reports in either printed or electronic form for review and signature, or correction.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
- Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material.
- Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
- Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.
- Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries.
- Distinguish between homonyms and recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, referring to dictionaries, drug references, and other sources on anatomy, physiology, and medicine.
- Set up and maintain medical files and databases, including records such as x-ray, lab, and procedure reports, medical histories, diagnostic workups, admission and discharge summaries, and clinical resumes.
- Translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms to ensure the accuracy of patient and health care facility records.
How to become a medical transcriptionist
Most people in this role hold post-secondary certificate — 39% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Post-Secondary Certificate39%
- Some College Courses34%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)17%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree11%
Common questions
How much does a medical transcriptionist earn?
The national median is $40,410 a year. The full range runs from $28,250 at the 10th percentile to $55,950 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a medical transcriptionist without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is medical transcriptionist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — declining. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Active Learning2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.5/5
- Administrative4.3/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness.