How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Pennsylvania (2026)

Pennsylvania employs about 1,130 medical transcriptionists earning a median $41,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most medical transcriptionists train through an approved program before entering the field in Pennsylvania.

Compare Medical Transcriptionist Schools in Pennsylvania

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
163.8Contact school for pricing$32,88360%Yes*83 mi
259.9$5,250 in-state / $8,010 out-of-state$44,37852%—463 mi
357.3$4,736 in-state / $8,142 out-of-state$48,98118%Yes*364 mi
451.2$5,550 in-state / $14,834 out-of-state$51,97126%Yes*300 mi
551.1$3,186 in-state / $9,330 out-of-stateNot reported63%Yes*419 mi
649.8$5,832 in-state / $10,776 out-of-state$48,84022%Yes*318 mi
746.8$4,820 in-state / $7,880 out-of-state$52,16927%Yes*423 mi
842.3$5,156 in-state / $9,646 out-of-state$39,10936%Yes*289 mi
938.3$6,300 in-state / $10,560 out-of-state$47,35019%Yes*151 mi
1035.2$2,320 in-state / $7,696 out-of-state$44,92431%Yes*342 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.

Pennsylvania employs approximately 1,130 medical transcriptionists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $41,510 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 Pennsylvania, 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 (Pennsylvania): $41,510 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Pennsylvania

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

How long does it take? medical transcriptionist training length in Pennsylvania varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do medical transcriptionists earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists in Pennsylvania is $41,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,070 and experienced professionals can earn $52,510 or more 1.

How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist in Pennsylvania

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Pennsylvania training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved medical transcriptionist program in Pennsylvania that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to medical transcriptionists in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Medical Transcriptionists Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington430$38,220$41,920$32,220$56,060
Pittsburgh190$47,530$47,130$39,440$56,170
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton60$45,790$45,950$38,010$57,010
Harrisburg-Carlisle40$46,960$46,880$41,510$56,600
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre30$44,730$43,490$26,850$57,540

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 Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 1,130 medical transcriptionists 1. Nationally, medical transcriptionist employment is projected to grow -4.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Pennsylvania.

How much do medical transcriptionists earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical transcriptionists in Pennsylvania is $41,510, which is $3,960 above the national median of $37,550 according to BLS data 1.

In Pennsylvania

Explore More Trades in Pennsylvania

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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)