Medical transcriptionists
SOC Code: 31-9094
Medical transcriptionists carries a 68% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,550 and -4.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 43,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 68% AI exposure, Medical transcriptionists sits 31 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 97% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Medical transcriptionists sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Medical transcriptionists has ai exposure of 68%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Medical transcriptionists vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Medical transcriptionists is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Medical transcriptionists (SOC 31-9094) carries an AI exposure score of 68%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 43,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -4.9% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $37,550, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Medical transcriptionists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Return dictated reports in printed or electronic form for physician's review, signature, and corrections and for inclusion in patients' medical records.
- 2. Produce medical reports, correspondence, records, patient-care information, statistics, medical research, and administrative material.
- 3. Identify mistakes in reports and check with doctors to obtain the correct information.
- 4. Review and edit transcribed reports or dictated material for spelling, grammar, clarity, consistency, and proper medical terminology.
- 5. Transcribe dictation for a variety of medical reports, such as patient histories, physical examinations, emergency room visits, operations, chart reviews, consultation, or discharge summaries.
- 6. Distinguish between homonyms and recognize inconsistencies and mistakes in medical terms, referring to dictionaries, drug references, and other sources on anatomy, physiology, and medicine.
- 7. Set up and maintain medical files and databases, including records such as x-ray, lab, and procedure reports, medical histories, diagnostic workups, admission and discharge summaries, and clinical resumes.
- 8. Translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms to ensure the accuracy of patient and health care facility records.
- 9. Perform data entry and data retrieval services, providing data for inclusion in medical records and for transmission to physicians.
- 10. Receive patients, schedule appointments, and maintain patient records.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Medical transcriptionists?
Medical transcriptionists has an AI exposure score of 68%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Medical transcriptionists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Medical transcriptionists is projected to decline by 4.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 43,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Medical transcriptionists?
Key skills for Medical transcriptionists include Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Writing, and others. Typical entry-level education is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Medical transcriptionists earn?
The median annual wage for Medical transcriptionists is $37,550, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Medical transcriptionists?
The typical entry-level education for Medical transcriptionists is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Medical transcriptionists?
Medical transcriptionists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).