Medical Transcriptionist Salary
Medical Transcriptionists earn a median $40,410 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -4.4% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 6,200
Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to shrink 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Medical Transcriptionist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,669
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,505
- Medicare (1.45%)$586
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$34,649
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,250 | $13.58 | $24,874 |
| 25th percentile | $34,150 | $16.42 | $29,620 |
| Median (50th) | $40,410 | $19.43 | $34,649 |
| 75th percentile | $48,000 | $23.08 | $40,748 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,950 | $26.90 | $47,136 |
Best cities for medical transcriptionists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $44,010 | $35,762 | $31,771 | 2,910 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $44,010
Medical Transcriptionist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $50,030 | −4.1% | $40,500 | $43,970 – $64,580 | 270 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 | +0.7% | $40,290 | $38,900 – $57,050 | 590 |
| Maine | $48,600 | +0.2% | $39,131 | $40,280 – $58,440 | 80 |
| Alaska | $48,360 | +42.2% | $41,037 | $33,400 – $54,660 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $48,190 | +3.0% | $39,657 | $40,050 – $59,360 | 390 |
| Wyoming | $48,100 | −4.8% | $40,828 | $36,440 – $63,960 | 40 |
| Oregon | $46,280 | +16.8% | $36,146 | $37,080 – $68,910 | 510 |
| South Dakota | $46,070 | +1.1% | $39,197 | $36,160 – $59,870 | 240 |
| Nebraska | $45,880 | +10.4% | $37,837 | $36,370 – $53,080 | 230 |
| Illinois | $45,490 | +24.3% | $36,624 | $31,760 – $55,070 | 970 |
| District of Columbia | $45,110 | +21.7% | $36,885 | $37,460 – $47,370 | 70 |
| California | $45,050 | +15.2% | $37,001 | $35,990 – $62,620 | 5,860 |
| Iowa | $45,010 | +4.1% | $37,287 | $25,600 – $52,660 | 180 |
| Tennessee | $44,720 | +10.2% | $38,113 | $26,420 – $60,250 | 1,450 |
| North Dakota | $44,660 | −0.3% | $38,064 | $26,280 – $50,260 | 120 |
| Hawaii | $44,310 | −3.2% | $35,909 | $31,540 – $52,310 | — |
| New York | $43,260 | +1.3% | $35,200 | $35,950 – $56,750 | 2,710 |
| Colorado | $43,080 | +12.4% | $35,608 | $32,010 – $62,290 | 610 |
| Texas | $42,900 | +47.5% | $36,650 | $22,540 – $49,410 | 7,520 |
| Florida | $42,050 | +9.4% | $35,967 | $28,720 – $59,240 | 2,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,510 | +14.7% | $34,259 | $32,070 – $52,510 | 1,130 |
| Indiana | $41,400 | +8.3% | $34,253 | $25,710 – $51,240 | 790 |
| Montana | $41,340 | −5.1% | $34,210 | $31,470 – $56,350 | 80 |
| Maryland | $39,900 | −10.9% | $32,708 | $31,840 – $60,140 | 230 |
| Utah | $39,630 | +1.9% | $33,205 | $27,460 – $49,490 | 210 |
| Nevada | $39,350 | −1.6% | $33,798 | $36,400 – $51,730 | 210 |
| North Carolina | $39,300 | +43.5% | $32,698 | $21,850 – $51,360 | 1,020 |
| New Jersey | $39,020 | −9.8% | $32,884 | $32,220 – $55,950 | 1,710 |
| Kentucky | $39,000 | +3.7% | $32,269 | $27,940 – $52,420 | 690 |
| Washington | $38,690 | +4.2% | $33,267 | $35,780 – $59,920 | 620 |
| Mississippi | $38,600 | −12.2% | $32,383 | $23,660 – $48,460 | 300 |
| Idaho | $38,140 | +5.9% | $31,912 | $30,890 – $50,030 | 400 |
| Louisiana | $38,040 | +3.0% | $31,990 | $30,600 – $51,160 | 420 |
| Missouri | $37,480 | +24.7% | $31,471 | $29,570 – $49,810 | 310 |
| New Mexico | $37,480 | +7.9% | $31,651 | $30,730 – $55,950 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $37,440 | +4.7% | $31,249 | $32,360 – $51,550 | 90 |
| Michigan | $37,280 | +2.9% | $30,801 | $30,840 – $49,670 | 1,130 |
| Ohio | $37,060 | +25.5% | $31,721 | $28,190 – $51,170 | 680 |
| Massachusetts | $36,910 | −2.5% | $30,212 | $36,440 – $47,000 | 400 |
| Arizona | $36,550 | +0.5% | $30,843 | $31,110 – $50,850 | 700 |
| Kansas | $35,390 | +0.3% | $29,439 | $23,640 – $51,580 | 420 |
| Alabama | $35,340 | +8.4% | $29,074 | $26,820 – $51,250 | 410 |
| Virginia | $35,130 | −5.4% | $29,201 | $27,110 – $43,400 | — |
| Arkansas | $35,100 | +10.7% | $29,227 | $27,160 – $47,020 | 280 |
| Rhode Island | $34,790 | +3.8% | $29,446 | $31,880 – $56,520 | 80 |
| Delaware | $34,070 | −7.7% | $28,341 | $31,200 – $40,560 | — |
| South Carolina | $33,870 | +7.6% | $28,519 | $29,020 – $48,360 | 390 |
| Vermont | $33,030 | — | $28,047 | $32,060 – $45,080 | — |
| Georgia | $28,330 | +2.1% | $24,092 | $24,530 – $53,750 | 950 |
| Oklahoma | $27,740 | −4.1% | $23,751 | $22,110 – $49,470 | 560 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.1% |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +10.8% |
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | $39,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical transcriptionist make?
The national median salary for medical transcriptionists is $40,410 a year ($19.43 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,250 and the top 10% earn over $55,950. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays medical transcriptionists the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $50,030. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many medical transcriptionists are there in the U.S.?
About 41,550 people work as medical transcriptionists nationwide.