Medical transcriptionists
SOC Code: 31-9094Also known as:
Certified Medical Transcriptionist, Clinical Medical Transcriptionist, Clinical Scribe, Data Transcriber, Documentation Specialist
Median Annual Salary
$37,550
-4.9% growth (2024-2034)
7K
Openings/Year
44K
Current Jobs
What Medical transcriptionists Do
Transcribe medical reports recorded by physicians and other healthcare practitioners using various electronic devices, covering office visits, emergency room visits, diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports and translate abbreviations into fully understandable form. Edit as necessary and return reports in either printed or electronic form for review and signature, or correction.
💰 Salary
$37,550
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-4.9%
Decline
🎓 Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
7K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
43,900
Projected Employment (2034)
41,800
Related Careers
Emergency medical technicians
$41,340 •
+5.1% growth
Medical records specialists
$50,250 •
+7.1% growth
Medical assistants
$44,200 •
+12.5% growth
Medical secretaries and administrative assistants
$44,640 •
+4.2% growth
Word processors and typists
$47,850 •
-36.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Monitoring
Speaking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
- Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material.
- Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
- Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.
- Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries.
- Distinguish between homonyms and recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, referring to dictionaries, drug references, and other sources on anatomy, physiology, and medicine.
- Set up and maintain medical files and databases, including records such as x-ray, lab, and procedure reports, medical histories, diagnostic workups, admission and discharge summaries, and clinical resumes.
- Translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms to ensure the accuracy of patient and health care facility records.
- Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
- Take dictation using shorthand, a stenotype machine, or headsets and transcribing machines.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Post-Secondary Certificate
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Medical transcriptionists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a medical transcriptionists:
Medical Transcription/Transcriptionist
56 degrees awarded •
11 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Medical transcriptionists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become medical transcriptionists.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Snead State Community College | Boaz, AL | 6 | C+ |
| 2 | Indiana University-Southeast | New Albany, IN | 1 | C+ |
| 3 | Indian Hills Community College | Ottumwa, IA | 1 | C+ |
| 4 | College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn, IL | 8 | C |
| 5 | Bishop State Community College | Mobile, AL | 8 | C |
| 6 | Spoon River College | Canton, IL | 8 | C |
| 7 | Delta College | University Center, MI | 7 | C |
| 8 | Black River Technical College | Pocahontas, AR | 4 | C |
| 9 | Richland Community College | Decatur, IL | 2 | C |
| 10 | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | Las Cruces, NM | 1 | C |
| 11 | Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester, MN | 10 | D |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical transcriptionists make?
The median annual salary for medical transcriptionists is $37,550.
What education do medical transcriptionists need?
Most medical transcriptionists positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Common degree programs include Medical Transcription/Transcriptionist.
Is becoming medical transcriptionists a good career choice?
Medical transcriptionists is projected to see -4.9% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 7,400 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for medical transcriptionists?
Top colleges for aspiring medical transcriptionists include
Snead State Community College, Indiana University-Southeast, Indian Hills Community College, College of DuPage, Bishop State Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to medical transcriptionists?
Medical transcriptionists may also be known as: Certified Medical Transcriptionist, Clinical Medical Transcriptionist, Clinical Scribe, Data Transcriber, Documentation Specialist, Emergency Medical Scribe, Medical Language Professional, Medical Language Specialist, Medical Record Transcriber, Medical Scribe, Medical Stenographer, Medical Transcriber, Medical Transcription Editor, Medical Transcriptionist, Ophthalmic Scribe, Pathology Transcriptionist, Provider Scribe, Radiology Transcriptionist, Registered Medical Transcriptionist, Scribe.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.