Similar careers
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.
A Medical Transcriptionist is a professional who converts voice-recorded reports dictated by physicians and other healthcare practitioners into text format. They play a critical role in the documentation and record-keeping process within the healthcare industry.
Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Years in related career: None
On-the-job training: None
Projected Growth: -3.8% (negative growth)
Annual job openings: 7,400
Direct AI exposure: 14% of tasks
Potential AI exposure: 32% of tasks
| According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $40K per year. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% | Bottom 25% | Median (average) | Top 25% | Top 10% |
| $28K per year | $34K per year | $40K per year | $48K per year | $56K per year |
| Compared to other careers: Median is $11K below the national average. | ||||
Medical Transcriptionists commonly work in hospitals, physicians' offices, transcription service offices, or from home. The work primarily involves listening to voice recordings and typing out the content, often requiring long periods of sitting and computer use.
Medical Transcriptionists serve as a vital link in the healthcare documentation chain. They must accurately interpret and transcribe dictations by physicians and other healthcare professionals. This role requires a strong grasp of medical terminology, anatomy, diagnostics, and treatment phrases. As healthcare providers increasingly adopt electronic health records (EHRs), transcriptionists must also be adept at using relevant software and ensuring data integrity within these systems.
Attention to detail is crucial in this field, as transcription accuracy directly impacts patient care and record-keeping. Medical Transcriptionists must have excellent listening skills, fast and accurate typing abilities, and a solid understanding of medical jargon. They also need to be aware of legal and ethical standards in healthcare documentation, ensuring patient confidentiality and data security.
The profession offers flexibility, especially for those choosing to work from home. It can be a satisfying career for individuals seeking a healthcare-related job without direct patient care responsibilities. However, the demand for traditional transcription services may vary due to advancements in speech recognition technology and changing industry practices.
Typically, Medical Transcriptionists need to complete a postsecondary medical transcriptionist program, which usually takes about 1 year to complete. Some opt for two-year associate degree programs.
Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.
