Medical transcription salary outlook

Medical transcriptionists listen to medical recordings dictated by a physician or other health care professional and transcribe them into reports and correspondence. Job prospects for this specialty are good, especially for those who are certified.

The technology for this career is constantly evolving, but medical transcriptionists often use a headset and foot pedal to transcribe medical information into a computer. This type of job requires the employee to have a good grasp of medical terminology, health care procedures, diagnostic testing and treatment assessments. Employers often prefer those who have a two or one year certificate program.

A primer on medical transcription salary data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 82,810 medical transcriptionists in the U.S. in 2009, earning a mean annual wage of $33,350. The top salary figures by state and the correlating annual mean wage were as follows:

• Massachusetts ($42,880)
• Alaska ($42,640)
• California ($41,100)
• Hawaii ($38,950)
• New Jersey ($38,750)

The medical transcription salary for Alaska and Hawaii reflects a low number of employees in the state. Alaska had 110 people in that job category for 2009 and Hawaii had 130, compared with 6,150 in California, 1,680 in New Jersey and 1,510 in Massachusetts.

Top-paying medical transcription industries

Medical transcription salary ranges vary, as some workers are paid by the hour and others are paid by the lines they transcribe. The BLS reports the top industries for medical transcription salary figures in 2009:

• Medical and diagnostic labs ($38,680)
• Insurance carriers ($37,980)
• Scientific research and development services ($36,270)
• Management, scientific and technical consulting services ($36,260)
• Dental offices ($36,170)

Rewarding careers are possible in medical transcription for those with good attention to detail, technical skills and an understanding of medical terminology.