Medical transcriptionists create medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative documents from dictated recordings provided by healthcare professionals such as physicians. They may work at home or within a doctor office or hospital and use a headset to listen to the recordings. A foot pedal allows them to pause the recording as needed so they can key information into a computer. Transcriptionists also edit the information to improve grammar and clarity and correct inconsistencies or mistakes.
Medical Transcriptionist Salary Statistics
As of May 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $33,530 for the 78,780 people employed as medical transcriptionists in the U.S. Those within the lowest ten percent of the earnings scale had an average annual wage of $21,960, the middle 50 percent earned an average of $32,900 annually, and the top ten percent of earners had an average annual salary of $46,220.
Alaska was the highest paying state, with an annual mean wage of $44,130. California, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts were other states paying an annual mean wage that exceeded $39,000. States offering the lowest compensation included Arkansas, Alabama, South Dakota, and Oklahoma.
General surgical and medical hospitals had the highest level of medical transcriptionist employment. Physician offices, business support services, diagnostic and medical laboratories, and outpatient care centers were other industries with high employment levels. The scientific research and development services industry was the highest payer, offering an annual mean wage of $39,080. Office administrative services, computer systems design and related services, and local government were other high compensation industries, offering an annual mean wage of over $37,000.
Medical Transcriptionist Job Outlook
2008 - 2018 Projected Employment Changes
11,700 new medical transcription jobs
11% increase in employment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that medical transcriptionist employment will grow about as fast as average between 2008 and 2018, at a rate of eleven percent. Job opportunities will be good, particularly for certified medical transcriptionists. The move to electronic documentation will sustain high levels of demand for individuals in this career. California, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin had the highest employment levels as of May 2010.
Medical Transcriptionist Education & Training
O*Net, a national career program, surveyed medical transcriptionists regarding their education level. Some college, but no degree, characterized 64 percent of respondents, 34 percent had a high school diploma or equivalent, and one percent possessed an associate’s degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers favor transcriptionists who complete medical transcription postsecondary training. This education can be obtained through distance learning or by attending vocational school or community college.
One-year certificate programs and a two-year associate’s degree may also be available in medical transcription. These are highly recommended and often include a period of supervised work experience. Medical transcription education programs need not be formally accredited. However, voluntary accreditation is available from the Approval Committee for Certificate Programs (ACCP). Medical transcriptionists who want to become certified may be required to complete an ACCP-accredited program.
Two voluntary certifications are offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI). The Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) designation is available to recent medical transcription program graduates with fewer than two years of acute care experience. Individuals must pass the Level-1 registered medical transcription exam offered by the AHDI. The Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) designation is for individuals with two years or more of acute care experience with various types of dictation, formats, and reports within multiple-specialty surgical areas. A passing score on a certification exam is required. Continuing education requirements apply for RMT and CMT recertification in three-year cycles.
Related Occupations
Several other occupations involve recording information, typing, and processing paperwork. Court reporters create transcripts of conversations, meetings, speeches, legal proceedings, and other events. Human resources assistants maintain employee records within an organization, capturing personal, earnings, benefits, and tax information. Secretaries perform various clerical and administrative tasks necessary for efficient operation of an organization.
Workers who provide medical support similar to that performed by medical transcriptionists include medical assistants as well as health information and medical records technicians. Medical assistants are charged with clinical and administrative duties within the office of a health practitioner. Health information and medical records technicians assemble health information regarding patients, including symptoms, medical history, and treatment methods.
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