Medical Transcriptionists Salary in California
The median pay for a medical transcriptionists in California is $39,090/year ($18.79/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $39K get you in California?
About medical transcriptionists
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level medical transcriptionists (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K. Top earners bring in $57K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Transcriptionists salary by metro in California
17 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $58K | +48% | 150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $48K | +23% | 520 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $46K | +18% | 70 |
| Modesto | $46K | +17% | 50 |
| Chico | $45K | +15% | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $44K | +14% | 660 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $44K | +12% | 100 |
| Redding | $44K | +11% | 110 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $41K | +5% | N/A |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $41K | +4% | 190 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $40K | +1% | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $39K | +0% | N/A |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $38K | -4% | 2,450 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $37K | -5% | 80 |
| Fresno | $37K | -6% | 180 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $36K | -7% | 120 |
| Visalia | $36K | -9% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 17 metros
Compare to other states
Track medical transcriptionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare Support
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical transcriptionists make in California?
The median is $39,090 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,970, and experienced medical transcriptionists can clear $57,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,725/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 90.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a medical transcriptionists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical transcriptionists salary is worth about $36,829 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical transcriptionists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.