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Medical Transcriptionists

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipLower pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $40,410 Median per year · $19.43/hr Most earn $28,250–$55,950

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Answer inquiries concerning the progress of medical cases, within the limits of confidentiality laws.
  • Answer inquiries concerning the progress of medical cases, within the limits of confidentiality laws.
  • Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries.
  • Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
  • Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
  • Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.

Job outlook

United States
4% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 6,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physicians38.7%
  • Business support services26.7%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals10.7%
  • Management, scientific, and technical consulting services4.0%
  • Medical and diagnostic laboratories2.1%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 3 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 3 monthsEntry-level

Medical transcription is an entry-level job you can start after a short certificate or training program, with no degree required. Most people reach it in about one to two years from high school, and many spend only a few months on the job before they feel comfortable working on their own.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build strong English, typing, and computer skills, since accurate listening and fast, clean typing are the core of this job.

  2. Medical terminology or medical transcription certificate program

    About 6 months to 1 year

    Learn medical terms, abbreviations, anatomy, and how to transcribe physician dictation, which prepares you for entry-level work.

  3. Medical Transcriptionist

    1-3 months of related experience before starting

    Transcribe medical reports, edit them for accuracy, and return them for physician review and signature.

Where it can lead

  1. Medical Transcription Editor

    1-3 years of experience first

    You review and correct other transcribers' reports for accuracy and consistency, and you need a strong grasp of medical language and quality standards to move into this role.

  2. Medical Records Specialist

    6 months to 1 year of experience first

    You manage patient health records, coding, and release of information, which builds on your medical terminology knowledge and attention to detail.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take English and computer classesStrong writing, grammar, and keyboarding skills are the foundation of accurate transcription.
  • Take biology or anatomy if your school offers itKnowing body systems and basic terms makes medical dictation much easier to understand.
  • Join a health occupations or career clubClubs like HOSA-style groups or career clubs introduce you to healthcare roles and often include skill-building events.
  • Get a starter job that uses typing or customer servicePart-time work at a store, office, or front desk builds typing speed, attention to detail, and professional habits.
  • Practice typing with free typing practice toolsWorking toward a steady speed and accuracy now will help you in a certificate program later.

In college

  • Take medical terminology and anatomy coursesThese classes teach the vocabulary and body knowledge you'll use in every report you transcribe.
  • Enroll in a medical transcription certificate or related program at a community collegeMany schools offer short certificate programs designed to prepare you for entry-level transcription work.
  • Get a campus job that involves writing or listening carefullyJobs at a writing center, library, or front desk help you practice accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Volunteer or shadow at a hospital or clinic officeSeeing how medical records and physician documentation flow helps you understand the work and make your resume stronger.
  • Build typing speed and accuracyRegular timed typing practice and proofreading drills will help you pass employer skills tests.

Tips for getting started

  • Practice typing every day and work on listening accuracy, since speed and precision are what employers look for most.
  • Learn common medical abbreviations and anatomy early, because many transcription tests and training programs start with those.
  • Look for certificate programs that offer hands-on practice with real or sample physician dictation so you can build a work sample.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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