How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist

3 Steps to Becoming a Medical Transcriptionist

Medical Transcriptionist Salary & Job Growth

In 2016 there were more than 57,400 medical transcriptionists employed in the United States. Hospitals employed 28 percent of all transcriptionists, with an equal amount of transcriptionists employed in administrative and support positions. Just under a one-quarter of all transcriptionists were employed at physicians' offices. Keep reading to learn more about medical transcriptionist salaries, employment and other relevant data.

Medical Transcriptionist Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical transcriptionists earned median annual salaries of $35,250 in May of 2017. However, the top 10 percent of workers in the field earned more than $51,000 per year. Where they work affects pay – wages for medical transcriptionists were higher than the national average at the following places of employment:

• Medical and diagnostic labs $41,540
• Hospitals $38,910
• Physicians' offices $35,540

The pay structure varies by location as well – some medical transcriptions are paid by the hour, while others are paid by the volume of work they produce. According to Payscale.com, medical transcriptionists also earn slightly more depending upon the field or department in which they work as well. Transcriptionists who work in oncology, radiology, pathology and orthopedics all saw a slight uptick in their wages. Transcriptionists who worked in larger cities such as Dallas, Chicago or Atlanta also brought home increased earnings.

The following chart shows mean annual wages and employment data for medical transcriptionists in your state.

Job Outlook for Medical Transcriptionists

When it comes to future jobs, the field of medical transcription is unlike many healthcare support positions. Due to technological advances that are changing the way medical transcription is performed, the field is expected to contract by 3 percent, or a loss of 1,900 jobs, through 2026, the BLS reports. These technologies include electronic health records, speech recognition software, and new software programs that allow doctors to create real-time medical records that will reduce the demand for medical transcriptionists.

However, the BLS notes, the country's rapidly aging population of Baby Boomers is expected to create strong demand for medical procedures and services that will still require medical transcription. Some physician offices may outsource their transcription services, further impacting demand, and transcription work may even move overseas in coming years.

Finding a Medical Transcriptionist Program

Students can find medical transcription education programs at community colleges and vocational schools, or they can enroll in an online program. These programs typically vary in length from about nine months to two years. Students should consider the following points before making an enrollment decision.

Before enrolling in a healthcare administration program, students should carefully consider these three primary points:

• Type of culminating degree. Certificate programs last about nine months, while diploma programs usually take approximately one year to complete. Programs that culminate in an associate degree take roughly two years to finish for full-time students. Putting in the extra time can result in graduating with more well-rounded skill set since associate programs delve deeper into key medical transcription subject matter, as well as important general education requirements such as English, composition and other relevant coursework.
• Delivery format. MT programs are delivered either on campus or online, although some programs may be offered in a hybrid format that blends classroom instruction with learning in a digital environment. Students should be familiar with which delivery format best suits their learning style.
• Cost. Tuition expenses vary by institution and program length. Costs for a nine-month online certificate program may be greater than those for an associate's degree program at a nearby community college. Students also should consider funding options for tuition, such as student loans, federal grants, or employer tuition assistance.

Other key considerations include class size, graduation rate, and location. Students searching for a medical transcriptionist program can use the search tool below to find programs separated by state, type of degree offered and field of study.

Professional Medical Transcriptionist Associations & Groups

The adoption of electronic health records has altered the entire transcription processes and the role of medical transcriptionists. Improvements in speech recognition software eventually may entirely eliminate the need for typed medical records, long a mainstay of the medical transcription industry.

Staying connected is of utmost importance for both current and future medical transcriptionists. As the industry continues to be buffeted by unprecedented change and fragmentation, more and more transcriptionists are joining industry associations and groups to ensure they remain at the forefront of these changes. These groups help ensure relevancy in the field through certification and education. Medical transcriptionists can find these and many other resources through the following five trade groups and industry associations:

Additional Resources for Medical Transcriptionists

Professional groups aren't the only place where medical transcriptionists can find support and career development resources. Here are some additional sources for professionals in the medical transcription industry.

Become Team

Contributing Writer

Latest Posts

See all Posts

The 5 Best Online Associate Nursing Degree Programs

Check out some of the best associate nursing degrees. Each of the five programs on our list are hybrid, meaning they offer partially-online work.

Become Team / July 18, 2024 / 4 min read

How to Become a Nutritionist

Learn how to become a nutritionist. Practical steps, nutritionist requirements and experience you’ll need to become a Nutritionist.

Become Team

July 2, 2024  / 4 min read

How to Become a Doctor

Are you interested in medicine? This in-depth guide explores information on how to become a doctor, along with education requirements, salary data, and more.

Become Team

May 7, 2024  / 4 min read