Medical Transcriptionist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Medical Transcriptionists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $38,700 a year ($18.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 720 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,050 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $40,410. Pay here is 15% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $45,490. There are 0.16 medical transcriptionists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $40,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical transcriptionists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| 25th percentile | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| Median | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| 75th percentile | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,050 | $25.03 |
| Average (mean) | $40,680 | $19.56 |
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 | $3,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,612.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,488.46 |
| Weekly | $744.23 |
| Hourly | $18.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Transcriptionist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Evansville, IN | $48,840 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $48,160 | 60 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $46,790 | 200 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $46,560 | 120 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $45,030 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $43,940 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,000 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $41,400 | 60 |
| Springfield, IL | $36,060 | 40 |
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 |
See Medical Transcriptionist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,950 | $23.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,200 | $29.42 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Orderly | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $67,840 | $32.61 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,730 | $17.66 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for medical transcriptionists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $38,700 a year, or $18.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical transcriptionists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of medical transcriptionists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $52,050 a year. The top 25% earn $49,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical transcriptionists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,850 a year, and a quarter of medical transcriptionists earn $31,760 or less.
How many medical transcriptionists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 720 medical transcriptionists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.