What does a medical transcriptionist typically earn per hour in the US right now?
Current US wage data puts the median pay for medical transcriptionists at about 19.43 US dollars an hour. Note that many online transcription services instead pay per audio hour transcribed, commonly around 15 to 22 US dollars per audio hour, which is a different measure from straightforward hourly worked pay.
If transcription work interests you, it helps to separate two different pay measures before you commit your time. Formal medical transcription roles quote a straightforward hourly wage, while many online transcription platforms instead pay per audio hour of content transcribed.
Transcription pay compared
| Type of pay | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| US median pay for medical transcriptionists | About 19.43 US dollars per hour worked |
| Popular online transcription services | Roughly 15 to 22 US dollars per audio hour transcribed |
Why per-audio-hour pay is not the same as hourly pay
Transcribing one audio hour can take you two to four hours of actual work depending on audio clarity, accents, and required accuracy, so a per-audio-hour rate often works out lower than it first appears. Medical transcription pays a flat hourly wage instead, which is more predictable for planning your part time hours.
My Advice
Before taking up any transcription gig, calculate your likely real hourly earnings by estimating how long an audio hour actually takes you to transcribe. If a platform's per-audio-hour rate works out below your target hourly income, it may not be worth your time compared with other part time options.
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