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Salary comparison

Medical Transcriptionists vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?

Nursing Assistantss out-earn Medical Transcriptionistss by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Medical Transcriptionistss land at $40,410 and Nursing Assistantss at $42,260. The education gap is real: medical transcriptionist programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while nursing assistant programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Medical Transcriptionistss is Minnesota ($50,030); for Nursing Assistantss it's Oregon ($49,830).

Medical Transcriptionists
Nursing Assistants
Median salary
$40,410
$42,260
Hourly rate
$19.43/hr
$20.32/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$28,250
$33,940
Senior level (90th %)
$55,950
$51,980
Education required
Postsecondary nondegree award
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
41,550
1,448,910
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Healthcare Support
Healthcare Support
Top-paying state
Minnesota
Oregon

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Medical Transcriptionists median pay.

State
Medical Transcriptionists
Nursing Assistants
Minnesota
$50,030
$46,680
Maine
$48,600
$47,070
Alaska
$48,360
$46,370
Oregon
$46,280
$49,830
Illinois
$45,490
$45,960
District of Columbia
$45,110
$47,700
California
$45,050
$47,630
North Dakota
$44,660
$45,820
New York
$43,260
$48,590
Colorado
$43,080
$47,380
New Jersey
$39,020
$46,830
Washington
$38,690
$49,180
Massachusetts
$36,910
$46,680
Rhode Island
$34,790
$46,440
Vermont
$33,030
$47,130

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Medical Transcriptionistss or Nursing Assistantss?

Nursing Assistantss earn more nationally. The median is $40,410 for Medical Transcriptionistss versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistantss, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Medical Transcriptionists or Nursing Assistants?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Medical Transcriptionists or Nursing Assistants?

Medical Transcriptionists typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Nursing Assistants requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Medical Transcriptionistss get paid the most?

Minnesota is the top-paying state for Medical Transcriptionistss at $50,030/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Medical Transcriptionists vs. Nursing Assistants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Medical Transcriptionistss earn $50,030 vs. $46,680 for Nursing Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Medical Transcriptionists salary breakdownView →Full Nursing Assistants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Medical Transcriptionistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Nursing Assistantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a medical transcriptionistsGuide →How to become a nursing assistantsGuide →