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.
Medical Transcriptionists
SOC: 31-9094 O*NET: 31-9094.00
Median Salary
$37,550
per year
Job Growth
📉 -4.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Medical Transcriptionists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$26,370
10th percentile
Early Career
$31,200
25th percentile
Median
$37,550
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,680
75th percentile
Top Earners
$53,890
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$26,370
25th
$31,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,550
Mean: $39,210
75th
$45,680
90th
$53,890
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $27,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $31,200 and $45,680
- •Salary spread is 38.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 43,070 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:43,900
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services47.2%
Administrative and Support Services37.1%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services37.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-4.9%
Annual Openings:7,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)43,900
Current
2034 (Projected)41,800
-4.9%
-2,200
Employment Change
-4.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Medical Transcriptionists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
5,630 jobs$39,0901.12x
Texas
4,480 jobs$29,0801.16x
New York
3,990 jobs$42,7001.50x
Florida
2,000 jobs$38,4300.73x
Georgia
1,830 jobs$27,7501.35x
North Carolina
1,630 jobs$27,3901.19x
New Jersey
1,500 jobs$43,2801.26x
Illinois
1,500 jobs$36,6100.89x
Tennessee
1,420 jobs$40,5701.55x
Pennsylvania
1,380 jobs$36,1900.82x
Ohio
1,270 jobs$29,5400.82x
Indiana
1,100 jobs$38,2401.24x
Michigan
1,070 jobs$36,2300.87x
Arizona
920 jobs$36,3601.03x
Washington
880 jobs$37,1200.89x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
92%
#3
Writing
82%
#4
Monitoring
74%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#6
Speaking
58%
#7
Time Management
48%
#8
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Writing
intermediate4.1
82%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
basic2.9
58%
Time Management
basic2.4
48%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Anesthesiologists80%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers80%
5 shared skills
Brokerage Clerks80%
5 shared skills
Desktop Publishers80%
5 shared skills
Electrical and Electronics Drafters80%
5 shared skills
Family Medicine Physicians80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Speaking
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Medical Transcriptionists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TecheClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft ASP.NET
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft ASP.NET
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Documentation & Record-Keeping (6)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Distinguish between homonyms and recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, referring to dictionaries, drug references, and other sources on anatomy, physiology, and medicine.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms to ensure the accuracy of patient and health care facility records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Answer inquiries concerning the progress of medical cases, within the limits of confidentiality laws.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
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.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Medical Transcriptionists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Medical Transcriptionists professionals typically have a CSI Holland code and highly value support
CConventional
SSocial
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Medical Transcriptionists
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.63
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.55
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.25
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.07
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.92
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.89
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Integrity
4.3
Independence
4.1
Cooperation
3.9
Persistence
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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