Medical Transcriptionists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a medical transcriptionists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $57,970/year ($27.87/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $52,500 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 92% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $58K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About medical transcriptionists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level medical transcriptionists (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K.Top earners bring in $75K or more - a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Transcriptionists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $52K | +39% | 370 |
| Wyoming | $51K | +35% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $49K | +30% | 750 |
| Maine | $49K | +29% | 140 |
| Connecticut | $47K | +25% | 540 |
| Hawaii | $46K | +22% | 40 |
| South Dakota | $46K | +21% | 350 |
| North Dakota | $45K | +19% | 120 |
| Maryland | $45K | +19% | 240 |
| Mississippi | $44K | +17% | 230 |
| Montana | $44K | +16% | 80 |
| New Jersey | $43K | +15% | 1,500 |
| Iowa | $43K | +15% | 200 |
| New Hampshire | $43K | +15% | 50 |
| New York | $43K | +14% | 3,990 |
Track medical transcriptionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do medical transcriptionists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $57,970 a year - that works out to about $27.87 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,840, and experienced medical transcriptionists can clear $75,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,904/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 89.2% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical transcriptionists salary is worth about $52,500 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.