How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in California (2026)
California employs about 5,860 medical transcriptionists earning a median $45,050 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most medical transcriptionists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in California.
Key Facts
- Median wage (California): $45,050/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in California: 5,860 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.20x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: -4.9% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Medical Transcriptionist Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yakima Valley College | 55.9 | Contact school for pricing | $51,006 | 31% | — | 772 mi |
| 2 | Great Basin College | 52.3 | Contact school for pricing | $57,602 | 46% | Yes* | 426 mi |
| 3 | Central Arizona College | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $48,765 | 25% | Yes* | 481 mi |
| 4 | Moreno Valley College | 50.7 | Contact school for pricing | $53,204 | 33% | — | 170 mi |
| 5 | Mt Hood Community College | 48.8 | Contact school for pricing | $52,184 | 25% | Yes* | 713 mi |
| 6 | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | 48.7 | Contact school for pricing | $54,874 | 17% | Yes* | 764 mi |
| 7 | College of Southern Nevada | 46.6 | Contact school for pricing | $51,080 | 19% | Yes* | 246 mi |
| 8 | El Paso Community College | 46.5 | Contact school for pricing | $39,712 | 23% | Yes* | 797 mi |
| 9 | Central Oregon Community College | 30.0 | Contact school for pricing | $50,974 | 25% | — | 604 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
California employs approximately 5,860 medical transcriptionists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,050 1. The state’s concentration of medical transcriptionist jobs is 1.20x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, medical transcriptionist employment is projected to grow -4.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 7,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical transcriptionist in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Medical Transcriptionist Wages by Metro Area in California
Medical Transcriptionists Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical transcriptionists wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 2,290 | $38,650 | $44,160 | $35,920 | $61,700 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 710 | $45,420 | $47,390 | $39,000 | $58,800 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 680 | $58,240 | $55,750 | $44,930 | $60,000 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 500 | $42,990 | $43,790 | $34,640 | $54,080 |
| Fresno | 200 | $43,180 | $42,260 | $34,790 | $47,760 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 200 | $57,420 | $61,530 | $46,070 | $77,220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 170 | $48,440 | $48,940 | $39,150 | $58,120 |
| Chico | 120 | $50,020 | $54,060 | $46,460 | $59,190 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 100 | $48,260 | $49,440 | $40,280 | $68,430 |
| Redding | 90 | $47,550 | $45,270 | $35,440 | $47,990 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 70 | $38,790 | $43,720 | $35,840 | $58,330 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 70 | $48,270 | $49,540 | $39,660 | $61,460 |
| Modesto | 50 | $48,490 | $51,710 | $37,870 | $70,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 50 | $53,330 | $53,000 | $40,710 | $59,900 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 40 | $47,310 | $47,780 | $39,140 | $57,260 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $45,050 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in California
How to become a medical transcriptionist in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for medical transcriptionists in California.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do medical transcriptionists earn in California? The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists in California is $45,050 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,990 and experienced professionals can earn $62,620 or more 1.
How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in California
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most California training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in California that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to medical transcriptionists in California before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical transcriptionists in California? California currently employs approximately 5,860 medical transcriptionists 1. Nationally, medical transcriptionist employment is projected to grow -4.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do medical transcriptionists earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists in California is $45,050, which is $7,500 above the national median of $37,550 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |