Pay Scale of a Transcriptionist

Strong writing skills are a hallmark of the successful transcriptionist.

A transcriptionist, also known as a documentation specialist or medical transcriptionist, uses transcribing machines to listen to recordings made by medical professionals which must be written out in a prescribed format. Transcriptionists evaluate medical reports including patient histories, office visit summaries and consultations, and must be familiar with medical terminology. Transcriptionists are required to complete postsecondary training, and some are certified. The pay scale of a transcriptionist varies according to the professional’s experience, certification, employer and location.

Average Salaries

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average mean wage of $33,530 for medical transcriptionists as of May 2010. Transcriptionists in the 10th percentile earned $21,960 per year on average and those in the 25th percentile could expect to earn approximately $27,070 per year. The median rate for this occupation was $32,900. Those in the 75th and 90th percentile could expect to earn $39,260 and $46,220, respectively.

Top Employers

Approximately 40 percent of transcriptionists were employed by hospitals, according to the bureau. These professionals earned approximately $1,400 more per year than the average for this occupation, making a mean wage of $34,970. Doctors’ offices also employed significant numbers of transcriptionists, paying about $1,200 below the national average or $33,320 per year, on average. Companies described as business support services were the third-largest employers, averaging $4,000 less than the national average at $29,510 per year. Employers paying top wages were scientific research and development companies, averaging wages of $39,080 per year. Office administrative services and local governments also paid above the national mean, with salaries averaging $37,630 and $37,070, respectively.

Compensation by Geography

Certain states provided much higher than average salaries for transcriptionists, led by Alaska where these professionals earned $44,130 per year or more than $10,000 above the national average. The second-highest wages were found in California where transcriptionists could expect to average $42,410 annually according to the bureau. New Jersey and Massachusetts were two other states with wages well above the national average with transcriptionists earning $40,190 and $39,620, respectively. On the lower end of the spectrum, South Dakota transcriptionists averaged $28,900 per year and those working in North Dakota earned $30,770 on average.

Job Outlook

The bureau forecasts that job growth for medical transcriptionists will be 11 percent from 2008 to 2018, a pace paralleling all jobs. Outsourcing this work to Third World countries will continue to temper demand, but there should be sufficient opportunities available for the skilled transcriptionist, particularly the professional who has chosen to be certified through the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, which offers two certification programs.

References

• O-Net Online; Summary Report for: 31-9094.00 - Medical Transcriptionists
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition; Medical Transcriptionist
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment Statistics; 31-9094 Medical Transcriptionists
• Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity: Certification