Certified Medical Transcriptionist Salaries
Learn what you might earn once you become a certified medical transcriptionist.
What to Expect from a Certified Medical Transcriptionist Salary
Certified medical transcriptionists often get significant career rewards, not the least of which is helping hospitals and physicians provide the highest standard of health care to patients. Plus, the field lends well to starting an independent business doing medical transcription from home. Whether you decide to work for yourself or an employer, qualified candidates can anticipate a solid wage in this career.
Medical Transcription Salary Stats and Insight
What you earn largely depends upon where you work as a medical transcriptionist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median medical transcription salary in 2010 was just over $32,900 annually. Use the chart below to see the top paying industries:
| Industry | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Scientific Research Services | $39,080 |
| Office Administrative Services | $37,630 |
| Computer Systems Services | $37,210 |
| Local Government Agencies | $37,070 |
| Accounting, Tax Prep & Payroll Services | $36,800 |
Increasing Your Medical Transcription Salary
Experience and certification play a strong role in a medical transcription salary, as do the city and state in which the medical transcriptionist works. Cities that pay top average salaries for medical transcription include:
| City | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $43,770 |
| New York | $36,770 |
| Philadelphia | $36,620 |
| Milwaukee | $36,120 |
| Phoenix | $36,110 |
| Minneapolis | $36,100 |
| Seattle | $35,960 |
Benefits of a Medical Transcription Career
Along with that paycheck, the field offers many of the important benefits you would expect of a health care job, including medical, dental and vision insurance. Independent contractors, of course, must cover health insurance costs on their own, but, as a whole, they can typically charge a higher rate than certified medical transcriptionists who work directly for a health care organization or transcription service.
Career growth represents another advantage to the field. Working in the dynamic world of health care means constantly learning about new and exciting treatments and technologies and engaging in a career that involves ongoing professional development activities.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic, 2010
Medical Transcription Articles
- Become a Medical Transcriptionist
- Education and Training
- Common Courses
- Professional Interview
- Do Medical Transcription from Home
- Salary and Benefits
- Self-Employment vs. Working for a Company
- Medical Transcription in Ohio