Medical Transcriptionist salary in California
Medical Transcriptionists in California earn a median of $45,050 a year ($21.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,620 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $40,410. California ranks 12th of 50 states for medical transcriptionists pay. There are 0.32 medical transcriptionists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical transcriptionists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| 25th percentile | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Median | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| 75th percentile | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Average (mean) | $47,770 | $22.97 |
Half of medical transcriptionists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,754.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,877.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,732.69 |
| Weekly | $866.35 |
| Hourly | $21.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Transcriptionist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $58,240 | 680 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $57,420 | 200 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $53,330 | 50 |
| Chico, CA | $50,020 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,490 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $48,440 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $48,270 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $48,260 | 100 |
| Redding, CA | $47,550 | 90 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $47,310 | 40 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,420 | 710 |
| Fresno, CA | $43,180 | 200 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $42,990 | 500 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $38,790 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,650 | 2,290 |
Highest-paying states for medical transcriptionists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $50,030 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 |
| Maine | $48,600 |
| Alaska | $48,360 |
| Connecticut | $48,190 |
| Wyoming | $48,100 |
| Oregon | $46,280 |
| South Dakota | $46,070 |
| Nebraska | $45,880 |
| Illinois | $45,490 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $49,660 | $23.88 |
| Dental Assistant | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 | $23.62 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Massage Therapist | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Phlebotomist | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $61,370 | $29.50 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Orderly | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $81,770 | $39.31 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9094. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical transcriptionist make in California?
The median salary for medical transcriptionists in California is $45,050 a year, or $21.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical transcriptionists make in California?
The top 10% of medical transcriptionists in California earn at least $62,620 a year. The top 25% earn $53,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical transcriptionists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,990 a year, and a quarter of medical transcriptionists earn $38,650 or less.
How many medical transcriptionists work in California?
About 5,860 medical transcriptionists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.