How long does medical transcriptionist training take in Iowa?

Most paths into the medical transcriptionist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What apprenticeships are available for medical transcriptionists in Iowa?

In Iowa, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Iowa Office of Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Iowa (2026)

Q: How much do medical transcriptionists earn in Iowa?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), medical transcriptionists in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $45,010. Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.43 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for medical transcriptionists in Iowa?

Iowa currently employs approximately 180 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -4.9% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Iowa medical transcriptionists earn a median annual wage of $45,010 ($21.64/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 180 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 11.4% above the national median of $40,410 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $45,010 ($21.64/hr)
25th percentile: $39,350 per year
75th percentile: $48,040 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $52,660 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $25,600 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 180
Versus national median: 11.4% above the U.S. median of $40,410
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.43 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.

Iowa employs about 180 medical transcriptionists earning a median $45,010 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most medical transcriptionists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Iowa.

Key Facts

Median wage (Iowa): $45,010/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Iowa: 180 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.43x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: -4.9% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Medical Transcriptionist Schools in Iowa

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Kishwaukee College	66.2	$4,560 - $13,901	$49,273	42%	Yes*	227 mi
2	Minnesota State Community and Technical College	64.5	$5,908 - $17,194	$54,581	47%	Yes*	302 mi
3	Madison Area Technical College	59.1	Contact school for pricing	$55,207	28%	Yes*	206 mi
4	Northeast Iowa Community College	56.6	$6,780 - $17,838	$50,002	50%	Yes*	88 mi
5	Indian Hills Community College	56.1	Contact school for pricing	$50,322	Not reported	Yes*	105 mi
6	Spoon River College	56.1	Contact school for pricing	$35,368	42%	Yes*	211 mi
7	Joliet Junior College	55.1	$4,530 - $13,800	$51,121	21%	Yes*	270 mi
8	Highland Community College	54.8	Contact school for pricing	$48,834	Not reported	Yes*	184 mi
9	Richland Community College	53.4	Contact school for pricing	$51,785	52%	Yes*	287 mi
10	Rochester Community and Technical College	50.7	Contact school for pricing	$55,258	27%	Yes*	119 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.

Iowa employs approximately 180 medical transcriptionists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,010 ¹. 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 Iowa, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Medical Transcriptionist Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

Medical Transcriptionists Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical transcriptionists wages in Iowa vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	100	$46,870	$45,670	$36,370	$52,430
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	60	$41,400	$42,030	$31,200	$53,200

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 (Iowa): $45,010 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Iowa

How to become a medical transcriptionist in Iowa? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for medical transcriptionists in Iowa.

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 Iowa? The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists in Iowa is $45,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $25,600 and experienced professionals can earn $52,660 or more ¹.

How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Iowa

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 180 medical transcriptionists ¹. Nationally, medical transcriptionist employment is projected to grow -4.9% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Iowa.

How much do medical transcriptionists earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists in Iowa is $45,010, which is $7,460 above the national median of $37,550 according to BLS data ¹.

In Iowa

Best Trade Schools in Iowa (2026)

Explore More Trades in Iowa

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)