Medical Transcriptionist salary in Illinois
Medical Transcriptionists in Illinois earn a median of $45,490 a year ($21.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,070 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $40,410. Illinois ranks 10th of 50 states for medical transcriptionists pay. There are 0.16 medical transcriptionists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $44,420, close to the median.
Pay range for medical transcriptionists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| 25th percentile | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Median | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| 75th percentile | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| Average (mean) | $44,420 | $21.36 |
Half of medical transcriptionists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,790.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,895.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,749.62 |
| Weekly | $874.81 |
| Hourly | $21.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Medical Transcriptionist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $48,160 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $42,000 | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $41,400 | 60 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $38,700 | 720 |
| Springfield, IL | $36,060 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for medical transcriptionists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $50,030 |
| Wisconsin | $49,150 |
| Maine | $48,600 |
| Alaska | $48,360 |
| Connecticut | $48,190 |
| Wyoming | $48,100 |
| Oregon | $46,280 |
| South Dakota | $46,070 |
| Nebraska | $45,880 |
| Illinois | $45,490 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Massage Therapist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $65,240 | $31.37 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Orderly | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $36,650 | $17.62 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9094. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical transcriptionist make in Illinois?
The median salary for medical transcriptionists in Illinois is $45,490 a year, or $21.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical transcriptionists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of medical transcriptionists in Illinois earn at least $55,070 a year. The top 25% earn $50,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical transcriptionists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,760 a year, and a quarter of medical transcriptionists earn $36,070 or less.
How many medical transcriptionists work in Illinois?
About 970 medical transcriptionists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.