How Much Money Does a Medical Transcriber Make?
Medical transcribers or transcriptionists listen to recorded dictation by doctors and other health care professionals, and turn them into reports, letters and other documentation. They typically listen through headphones while using a foot pedal to pause the recordings. While no specific background is required, many employers prefer those who have completed a degree or certificate to prove that they have a proven understanding of medical terms.
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Basics
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that in May of 2009, the median compensation of medical transcribers is $15.68 hourly or $32,600 yearly. The bottom 10 percent make $10.78 or $22,430, and the upper 10 percent receive $21.97 or $45,700.
Industries
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The hiring industry affects pay. The top five highest-paying for this job are medical and diagnostic labs with a rate of $18.60 or $38,680; insurance carriers with a rate of $18.26 or $37,980; scientific research and development with a rate of $17.44 or $36,270; management, scientific, and technical consulting with a rate of $17.44 or $36,260; and dentists with a rate of $17.39 or $36,170.
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States
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The state in which a job is located can affect wages. The highest-paying for this profession are Massachusetts with compensation at $20.62 or $42,880; Alaska with compensation at $20.50 or $42,640; California with compensation at $19.76 or $41,100; Hawaii with compensation at $18.72 or $38,950; and New Jersey with compensation at $18.63 or $38,750.
Cities
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The city of employment determines compensation. The best for this job are Brockton, Massachusetts, with compensation at $32.38 or $67,360; Framingham, Massachusetts, with compensation at $25.96 or $53,990; San Jose, California with compensation at $23.40 or $48,670; Bethesda, Maryland with compensation at $23.37 or $48,620; and Salinas, California, with compensation at $23.00 or $47,840.
Employment Levels
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The areas with the greatest employment numbers do not match those with the best income. For example, the industries with the highest employment levels are general medical and surgical hospitals, with wages of $16.58 or $34,480; and doctors, with wages of $15.58 or $32,410. Neither of these are in the top five for compensation. The states having the most employment are South Dakota, with salaries at $13.66 or $28,410; and North Dakota, with salaries at $13.32 or $27,700. Finally, the cities with the most jobs are Bangor, Maine, in which rates are $15.46 or $32,150; and Lewiston, Idaho, in which rates are $17.63 or $36,660.
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