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 an approved program before entering the field in California.
Compare Medical Transcriptionist Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yakima Valley College | 55.9 | $5,312 in-state / $5,873 out-of-state | $51,006 | 29% | — | 772 mi |
| 2 | Great Basin College | 52.3 | $3,923 in-state / $13,883 out-of-state | $57,602 | 41% | Yes* | 426 mi |
| 3 | Central Arizona College | 51.4 | $2,250 in-state / $4,500 out-of-state | $48,765 | 27% | Yes* | 481 mi |
| 4 | Moreno Valley College | 50.7 | $1,428 in-state / $12,498 out-of-state | $53,204 | 34% | — | 170 mi |
| 5 | Mt Hood Community College | 48.8 | $5,247 in-state / $9,819 out-of-state | $52,184 | 24% | Yes* | 713 mi |
| 6 | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana | 48.7 | $2,322 in-state / $6,360 out-of-state | $54,874 | 19% | Yes* | 764 mi |
| 7 | College of Southern Nevada | 46.6 | $4,358 in-state / $13,024 out-of-state | $51,080 | 19% | Yes* | 246 mi |
| 8 | El Paso Community College | 46.5 | $4,080 in-state / $6,630 out-of-state | $39,712 | 24% | Yes* | 797 mi |
| 9 | Central Oregon Community College | 30.0 | $5,049 in-state / $13,545 out-of-state | $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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- 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? medical transcriptionist training length in California varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
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 require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved medical transcriptionist program in California that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- 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.
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 .
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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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) |