California Median
$45,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $40,410
State Rank
#12 of 50
5,860 employed here
How much does a Medical Transcriptionist make in California?
Medical Transcriptionists in California take home a median of $45,050 annually — roughly $21.66 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $40,410.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,990 while the top 10% make $62,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,650 and $53,040 a year.
Medical Transcriptionist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,650 | $18.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $53,040 | $25.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,620 | $30.11 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 12th out of 50 states and territories for Medical Transcriptionist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Medical Transcriptionist salary in other states
Minnesota $50,030Wisconsin $49,150Maine $48,600Alaska $48,360Connecticut $48,190Wyoming $48,100Oregon $46,280South Dakota $46,070Nebraska $45,880Illinois $45,490District of Columbia $45,110Iowa $45,010Tennessee $44,720North Dakota $44,660Hawaii $44,310New York $43,260Colorado $43,080Texas $42,900Florida $42,050Pennsylvania $41,510Indiana $41,400Montana $41,340Maryland $39,900Utah $39,630Nevada $39,350North Carolina $39,300New Jersey $39,020Kentucky $39,000Washington $38,690Mississippi $38,600Idaho $38,140Louisiana $38,040Missouri $37,480New Mexico $37,480West Virginia $37,440Michigan $37,280Ohio $37,060Massachusetts $36,910Arizona $36,550Kansas $35,390Alabama $35,340Virginia $35,130Arkansas $35,100Rhode Island $34,790Delaware $34,070South Carolina $33,870Vermont $33,030Georgia $28,330Oklahoma $27,740
Working as a Medical Transcriptionist in California
Nationally, about 42,000 people work as Medical Transcriptionists in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($45,050) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Medical Transcriptionist make in California?
The median Medical Transcriptionist salary in California is $45,050 per year, or about $21.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,990 at the entry level to $62,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Medical Transcriptionists about 11% more than the national median of $40,410. California ranks 12th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Medical Transcriptionists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,050 a year. About 5,860 Medical Transcriptionists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Medical Transcriptionist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.