Facilitating the change from audio recordings to on-screen or hard-copy information, medical transcriptionists take doctors' recorded dictation and put it in a readable format. Medical transcriptionists use tools such as dictation machines, word processors and headsets to translate patient histories, surgical reports, medication information and progress details. For Georgia's medical transcriptionists, salaries averaged below the country's median.
Facts
In a 2009 study on salaries of medical transcriptionists across the country, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated an average wage of $33,350 per year for the profession. This compared favorably to Georgia's state average for medical transcriptionists, with an annual median wage of $31,030, a difference of $2,320 per year.
Ranges
A portion of Georgia's 1,320 medical transcriptionists (in May 2009) earned higher-than-average salaries. At the state's 90th percentile of earnings, salaries averaged $41,360 per year. At the bottom end of the range, in the 10th percentile, earnings averaged $22,550 per year.
Considerations
While there are no strict requirements for education or experience to secure a salary as a Georgia medical transcriptionist, prospective candidates may enroll in a one-year certificate or two-year associate degree program at one of hundreds of schools accredited by the American Health Information Management Association. Georgia offers five in-state options: Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Atlanta Technical College, DeVry University, Columbus Technical College and Macon State College.
Outlook
The outlook for employment in the medical transcription field is average with other professions, according to the BLS, which expects 11 percent growth in the field and an addition of 11,700 jobs through 2018. The BLS recommends Georgia applicants focus their efforts on seeking employment in hospitals and large-practice physician offices for the best opportunities to secure salaries.
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