How to become a medical transcriptionist

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.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree..Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What medical transcriptionists do

• Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material.
• Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
• Perform a variety of clerical and office tasks, such as handling incoming and outgoing mail, completing and submitting insurance claims, typing, filing, or operating office machines.
• Receive and screen telephone calls and visitors.
• Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
• Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Is medical transcriptionist a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 21% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Minnesota $50,030
• Wisconsin $49,150
• Maine $48,600
• Alaska $48,360
• Connecticut $48,190

Medical Transcriptionists salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.