Transcriptionist Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Transcriptionists with post secondary training in medical transcription are preferred by employers. Such courses are offered through many vocational schools, community colleges and distance-learning programs. There are 2-year associate’s degree and 1-year certificate programs available in subjects like anatomy, medical terminology, legal issues relating to health care documentation and English. Business and vocational schools and community colleges offer one-year and two-year programs in courses of medical terminology, word processing and grammar. It is increasingly common to complete a two-year associate’s degree program before working as a transcriptionist. The AHDI awards two voluntary designations, the Registered Medical Transcriptionist and the Certified Medical Transcriptionist. Transcriptionists who are recent graduates of medical transcription educational programs, or have less than 2 years experience in acute care, may become a registered RMT.
Training and Education
Successful employees find it useful to have a postsecondary vocational award. According to recent surveys, 10% of transcriptionists had received a degree. Workers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 59%. A high school degree was all that was needed for 31% of employees.
Job Overview
Transcriptionists listen to taped recordings of medical procedures and dictations made by doctors and other health care professionals and transcribe them into organized reports. The documents that they transcribe include discharge summaries, medical history, physical examination reports, operative reports, consultation reports, autopsy reports, diagnostic imaging studies, progress notes and referral letters. They listen to recordings on a headset, use a foot pedal to pause the recording when necessary and key the text into a personal computer or word processor, editing as necessary for grammar and clarity. They listen to the doctor’s conversation using a special machine called the Dictaphone.
Job Requirements
Transcriptionists should be able to understand different voices and accents and should also have a good knowledge of medical terminology. They should have some formal training beyond high school and should be able to type fast, spell correctly and use proper grammar. Familiarity with computers and word processing software is also required along with basic office skills such as accounting, keyboarding, filing and recordkeeping.
Formal accreditation is not required for medical transcription programs, but the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs and the American Health Information Management Association offers voluntary accreditation for medical transcription programs. Completion of an ACCP approved program may be required for transcriptionists seeking certification.
Nature of Work
Transcriptionists spot mistakes or inconsistencies in a medical report and check to correct the information. Their ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient assessments and treatments reduces the chance of patients receiving ineffective or harmful treatments and ensures high-quality patient care. Mostly, transcriptionists work in comfortable settings such as hospitals, physician’s offices, transcription service offices, clinics, laboratories, medical libraries or government medical facilities. They usually sit in the same position for long hours. They are prone to wrist, back, neck or eye problems because of strain. They usually work a standard 40 hours per week.
Area Job Conditions
Looking at transcriptionists per capita, Michigan City (Indiana), Hot Springs (Arkansas), and Lewiston (Idaho) rise to the top of the list. Oxnard (California), Santa Rosa (California), and Las Vegas (Nevada) have the fewest per capita.
The highest salaries for workers are in and around San Jose (California), Bethesda (Maryland), and Santa Ana (California). The lowest-paying areas are Johnstown (Pennsylvania), Albany (Georgia), and Monroe (Louisiana).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Transcriptionists working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 23% of the total. If you have this occupation and work on your own rather than for another company, you are part of the 10% of workers who do so.
Career Videos
Transcriptionists by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $33,000 | 280 | +5% |
| Dothan | $29,000 | 70 | +149% |
| Florence | $25,000 | 50 | +101% |
| Gadsden | $22,000 | 50 | +214% |
| Huntsville | $31,000 | 90 | -18% |
| Mobile | $29,000 | 140 | +52% |
| Montgomery | $31,000 | 60 | -29% |
| Tuscaloosa | $26,000 | 130 | +188% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $45,000 | 40 | -54% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingman | $39,000 | 40 | +79% |
| Phoenix | $36,000 | 1,670 | +74% |
| Tucson | $33,000 | 210 | +15% |
| Yuma | $36,000 | 30 | +13% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $29,000 | 80 | -25% |
| Fort Smith | $31,000 | 110 | +75% |
| Hot Springs | $34,000 | 50 | +201% |
| Jonesboro | $35,000 | 40 | +82% |
| Little Rock | $30,000 | 300 | +62% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $34,000 | 120 | -13% |
| Chico | $36,000 | 50 | +47% |
| Fresno | $39,000 | 120 | -30% |
| Los Angeles | $44,000 | 1,660 | -25% |
| Modesto | $39,000 | 120 | +49% |
| Oakland | $45,000 | 340 | -37% |
| Riverside | $40,000 | 470 | -28% |
| Sacramento | $42,000 | 480 | +2% |
| Salinas | $49,000 | 70 | -16% |
| San Diego | $43,000 | 370 | -48% |
| San Francisco | $48,000 | 360 | -33% |
| San Jose | $49,000 | 300 | -39% |
| San Luis Obispo | $37,000 | 40 | -14% |
| Santa Ana | $43,000 | 340 | -57% |
| Santa Rosa | $39,000 | 50 | -45% |
| Vallejo | $40,000 | 30 | -51% |
| Visalia | $35,000 | 30 | -57% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $34,000 | 130 | +63% |
| Colorado Springs | $35,000 | 90 | -33% |
| Denver | $35,000 | 560 | -18% |
| Fort Collins | $34,000 | 130 | +102% |
| Grand Junction | $32,000 | 60 | +119% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $40,000 | 130 | -43% |
| Hartford | $37,000 | 240 | -23% |
| New Haven | $42,000 | 110 | -24% |
| Norwich | $37,000 | 30 | -52% |
| Waterbury | $38,000 | 60 | +81% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $32,000 | 40 | +63% |
| Wilmington | $38,000 | 110 | -37% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $37,000 | 460 | -65% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $30,000 | 140 | +38% |
| Deltona | $31,000 | 150 | +88% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $33,000 | 420 | +11% |
| Gainesville | $27,000 | 80 | +29% |
| Jacksonville | $32,000 | 310 | -5% |
| Lakeland | $31,000 | 150 | +52% |
| Miami | $32,000 | 390 | -27% |
| Naples | $35,000 | 40 | -30% |
| Ocala | $29,000 | 60 | +37% |
| Orlando | $31,000 | 360 | -35% |
| Palm Bay | $30,000 | 170 | +64% |
| Pensacola | $32,000 | 90 | +17% |
| Port St Lucie | $30,000 | 80 | +31% |
| Sarasota | $32,000 | 130 | 0% |
| Tallahassee | $32,000 | 50 | -40% |
| Tampa | $28,000 | 630 | +1% |
| West Palm Beach | $30,000 | 240 | -14% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $24,000 | 40 | +34% |
| Athens | $31,000 | 80 | +129% |
| Atlanta | $36,000 | 500 | -60% |
| Augusta | $31,000 | 110 | +2% |
| Columbus | $31,000 | 50 | -11% |
| Rome | $33,000 | 40 | +149% |
| Savannah | $35,000 | 70 | -10% |
| Valdosta | $28,000 | 50 | +112% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $38,000 | 60 | -75% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $30,000 | 240 | +73% |
| Coeur Dalene | $35,000 | 50 | +108% |
| Lewiston | $34,000 | 90 | +786% |
| Pocatello | $28,000 | 40 | +194% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $32,000 | 40 | +16% |
| Champaign | $35,000 | 120 | +132% |
| Chicago | $34,000 | 2,020 | -2% |
| Peoria | $35,000 | 140 | +57% |
| Rockford | $35,000 | 130 | +79% |
| Springfield | $36,000 | 100 | +83% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $31,000 | 50 | +46% |
| Elkhart | $31,000 | 60 | +9% |
| Evansville | $29,000 | 150 | +68% |
| Fort Wayne | $31,000 | 110 | +2% |
| Gary | $31,000 | 230 | +60% |
| Indianapolis | $28,000 | 660 | +35% |
| Lafayette | $27,000 | 60 | +61% |
| Michigan City | $31,000 | 50 | +162% |
| Muncie | $29,000 | 40 | +86% |
| South Bend | $29,000 | 90 | +36% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $29,000 | 100 | +39% |
| Davenport | $31,000 | 220 | +125% |
| Des Moines | $30,000 | 560 | +217% |
| Dubuque | $27,000 | 40 | +57% |
| Sioux City | $30,000 | 60 | +68% |
| Waterloo | $32,000 | 90 | +110% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $30,000 | 100 | +78% |
| Wichita | $31,000 | 290 | +89% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $31,000 | 40 | +50% |
| Louisville | $28,000 | 490 | +49% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $27,000 | 70 | +124% |
| Baton Rouge | $31,000 | 190 | -5% |
| Houma | $26,000 | 50 | +5% |
| Lafayette | $27,000 | 120 | +62% |
| Lake Charles | $25,000 | 50 | +13% |
| Monroe | $28,000 | 40 | +6% |
| New Orleans | $31,000 | 310 | +8% |
| Shreveport | $31,000 | 100 | +6% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $31,000 | 230 | +674% |
| Lewiston | $31,000 | 120 | +400% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $35,000 | 690 | -4% |
| Bethesda | $51,000 | 170 | -46% |
| Cumberland | $28,000 | 70 | +312% |
| Hagerstown | $30,000 | 80 | +64% |
| Salisbury | $34,000 | 40 | +56% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $38,000 | 30 | -40% |
| Boston | $41,000 | 620 | -35% |
| Haverhill | $37,000 | 40 | -2% |
| Lowell | $38,000 | 30 | -51% |
| Peabody | $40,000 | 50 | -3% |
| Springfield | $35,000 | 100 | -37% |
| Worcester | $38,000 | 30 | -78% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $34,000 | 140 | +60% |
| Detroit | $32,000 | 300 | -17% |
| Flint | $33,000 | 100 | +49% |
| Grand Rapids | $33,000 | 270 | +33% |
| Kalamazoo | $32,000 | 90 | +28% |
| Lansing | $33,000 | 80 | -23% |
| Muskegon | $32,000 | 50 | +86% |
| Saginaw | $26,000 | 80 | +96% |
| Warren | $35,000 | 660 | +12% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $36,000 | 140 | +109% |
| Minneapolis | $36,000 | 1,530 | +57% |
| Rochester | $41,000 | 430 | +727% |
| St Cloud | $34,000 | 170 | +252% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $28,000 | 50 | -8% |
| Hattiesburg | $27,000 | 60 | +117% |
| Jackson | $31,000 | 260 | +93% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $32,000 | 40 | +1% |
| Jefferson City | $30,000 | 40 | +9% |
| Joplin | $28,000 | 60 | +53% |
| Kansas City | $31,000 | 830 | +50% |
| Springfield | 150 | +49% | |
| St Louis | $34,000 | 790 | +8% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $37,000 | 80 | +91% |
| Missoula | $35,000 | 60 | +140% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $35,000 | 150 | +80% |
| Omaha | $32,000 | 310 | +22% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $34,000 | 240 | -48% |
| Reno | $41,000 | 100 | 0% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $36,000 | 120 | +128% |
| Nashua | $36,000 | 40 | -44% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $39,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Camden | $34,000 | 290 | +2% |
| Edison | $44,000 | 600 | +7% |
| Newark | $40,000 | 360 | -34% |
| Trenton | $40,000 | 120 | 0% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $33,000 | 340 | +64% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $33,000 | 200 | -18% |
| Binghamton | $39,000 | 50 | -13% |
| Buffalo | $31,000 | 380 | +27% |
| Elmira | $26,000 | 30 | +70% |
| Nassau | $42,000 | 450 | -35% |
| New York | $37,000 | 1,270 | -55% |
| Poughkeepsie | $38,000 | 150 | +14% |
| Rochester | $32,000 | 460 | +68% |
| Syracuse | $30,000 | 310 | +85% |
| Utica | $32,000 | 80 | +25% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $32,000 | 250 | +169% |
| Burlington | $36,000 | 30 | +10% |
| Charlotte | $34,000 | 360 | -23% |
| Durham | $36,000 | 50 | -66% |
| Fayetteville | $37,000 | 80 | +23% |
| Goldsboro | $30,000 | 40 | +112% |
| Greensboro | $31,000 | 130 | -32% |
| Greenville | $32,000 | 80 | +141% |
| Hickory | $34,000 | 80 | +5% |
| Raleigh | $31,000 | 320 | +14% |
| Rocky Mount | $31,000 | 40 | +43% |
| Wilmington | $37,000 | 50 | -29% |
| Winston Salem | $34,000 | 220 | +98% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $32,000 | 110 | +245% |
| Fargo | $30,000 | 220 | +251% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $32,000 | 190 | +10% |
| Canton | $30,000 | 180 | +107% |
| Cincinnati | $31,000 | 590 | +7% |
| Cleveland | $32,000 | 640 | +15% |
| Columbus | $32,000 | 350 | -30% |
| Dayton | $35,000 | 270 | +31% |
| Lima | $30,000 | 70 | +181% |
| Mansfield | $28,000 | 40 | +62% |
| Sandusky | $33,000 | 50 | +214% |
| Toledo | $35,000 | 270 | +72% |
| Youngstown | $29,000 | 230 | +92% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $28,000 | 430 | +37% |
| Tulsa | $27,000 | 330 | +42% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $37,000 | 60 | +95% |
| Eugene | $36,000 | 110 | +51% |
| Medford | $34,000 | 110 | +186% |
| Portland | $41,000 | 520 | -7% |
| Salem | $37,000 | 110 | +42% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $33,000 | 260 | +40% |
| Altoona | $36,000 | 60 | +104% |
| Erie | $32,000 | 100 | +51% |
| Harrisburg | $31,000 | 260 | +51% |
| Johnstown | $25,000 | 80 | +196% |
| Lancaster | $34,000 | 200 | +60% |
| Lebanon | $28,000 | 70 | +227% |
| Philadelphia | $37,000 | 1,430 | +37% |
| Pittsburgh | $32,000 | 1,010 | +61% |
| Reading | $34,000 | 100 | +15% |
| Scranton | $31,000 | 180 | +29% |
| State College | $32,000 | 110 | +260% |
| Williamsport | 30 | +22% | |
| York | $34,000 | 120 | +30% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $37,000 | 350 | +16% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $32,000 | 120 | -22% |
| Columbia | $32,000 | 160 | -15% |
| Florence | $34,000 | 40 | +2% |
| Greenville | $34,000 | 230 | +43% |
| Myrtle Beach | $30,000 | 50 | -10% |
| Spartanburg | $29,000 | 110 | +86% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $30,000 | 160 | +415% |
| Sioux Falls | $30,000 | 330 | +358% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $32,000 | 220 | +82% |
| Clarksville | $32,000 | 40 | +3% |
| Jackson | $32,000 | 70 | +146% |
| Johnson City | $29,000 | 120 | +238% |
| Kingsport | $29,000 | 140 | +125% |
| Knoxville | $31,000 | 330 | +84% |
| Memphis | $34,000 | 270 | -19% |
| Nashville | $35,000 | 660 | +64% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $29,000 | 40 | +30% |
| Amarillo | $30,000 | 90 | +66% |
| Austin | $38,000 | 260 | -39% |
| Beaumont | $34,000 | 50 | -41% |
| Brownsville | 40 | -40% | |
| College Station | $33,000 | 50 | +8% |
| Dallas | $36,000 | 730 | -36% |
| El Paso | $35,000 | 100 | -31% |
| Fort Worth | $40,000 | 270 | -43% |
| Houston | $32,000 | 950 | -34% |
| Longview | $35,000 | 40 | -17% |
| Lubbock | $28,000 | 80 | +23% |
| Mcallen | $29,000 | 60 | -51% |
| San Angelo | $31,000 | 40 | +107% |
| San Antonio | $34,000 | 520 | +9% |
| Texarkana | $32,000 | 60 | +130% |
| Tyler | $31,000 | 50 | +10% |
| Waco | $34,000 | 40 | -21% |
| Wichita Falls | $31,000 | 30 | +13% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $26,000 | 130 | +24% |
| Salt Lake City | $36,000 | 210 | -36% |
| St George | $31,000 | 30 | +39% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $35,000 | 160 | +181% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | $28,000 | 30 | +11% |
| Lynchburg | $31,000 | 50 | 0% |
| Richmond | $31,000 | 380 | +14% |
| Roanoke | $33,000 | 130 | +60% |
| Virginia Beach | $32,000 | 250 | -39% |
| Winchester | $33,000 | 60 | +154% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $40,000 | 50 | +37% |
| Kennewick | $39,000 | 60 | +18% |
| Mount Vernon | $29,000 | 30 | +44% |
| Olympia | $35,000 | 120 | +140% |
| Seattle | $36,000 | 1,020 | +33% |
| Spokane | $34,000 | 190 | +76% |
| Wenatchee | $35,000 | 50 | +178% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $27,000 | 150 | +99% |
| Huntington | $28,000 | 120 | +106% |
| Morgantown | $33,000 | 80 | +214% |
| Parkersburg | $29,000 | 60 | +80% |
| Wheeling | $28,000 | 100 | +215% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $36,000 | 90 | +53% |
| Eau Claire | $33,000 | 190 | +420% |
| Fond | $33,000 | 30 | +50% |
| Green Bay | $33,000 | 280 | +218% |
| Janesville | $35,000 | 120 | +290% |
| Madison | $35,000 | 430 | +137% |
| Milwaukee | $36,000 | 990 | +119% |
| Oshkosh | $32,000 | 90 | +105% |
| Racine | $34,000 | 80 | +117% |
| Wausau | $32,000 | 90 | +177% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $32,000 | 50 | +199% |
| Cheyenne | $31,000 | 30 | +51% |