Medical Scribe Salary
A medical scribe's salary can vary based on experience, location, and work setting. On average, a medical scribe earns around $32,865 per year. However, entry-level positions may start at about $20 per hour, while experienced scribes can earn up to $40 per hour or more. In addition to their base pay, some medical scribes receive bonuses, health benefits, and paid time off.
The salary range for medical scribes typically falls between $27,000 and $38,000 per year, but those working in specialized settings like hospitals may earn more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for medical scribes was $16.74 per hour in 2019.
Several factors influence a medical scribe’s salary. Geographic location plays a big role—scribes in large cities often earn more than those in rural areas. Experience and training level also matter, as highly skilled scribes tend to receive higher pay. Additionally, the type of employer affects earnings. Hospitals and specialized medical facilities generally offer better salaries compared to private practices.
Whether you're considering a career as a medical scribe or just curious about the field, understanding the salary range and factors that influence pay can help set expectations.
All About Medical Scribe Salary
A medical scribe is an essential healthcare professional who assists physicians by handling documentation and data entry. Their primary role is to transcribe medical notes, update electronic health records (EHRs), and ensure that patient information is accurately recorded. By managing these tasks, medical scribes help improve workflow efficiency, allowing doctors to focus more on patient care rather than administrative duties.
Medical scribes earn a competitive salary, typically ranging between $35,000 and $50,000 per year. However, pay can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the type of medical facility. Those with advanced training or several years of experience, especially in high-demand settings like large hospitals or specialized clinics, may earn significantly more. In addition to base pay, many healthcare facilities offer benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and disability or life insurance, which further enhance the overall compensation package.
For individuals interested in the healthcare industry, becoming a medical scribe can be a rewarding career path. It provides hands-on experience in a medical setting, making it an excellent opportunity for those aspiring to advance into higher medical professions, such as nursing or physician assistant roles. With the growing demand for accurate medical documentation, medical scribes play an important role in modern healthcare, making this profession a valuable and worthwhile choice.
How much does a medical scribe make?
Medical scribes play a crucial role in healthcare by assisting physicians with documentation and data entry. Their salary varies based on experience, employment type, and location, offering competitive pay and career growth opportunities.
Average Hourly and Annual Earnings
Medical scribes typically earn $15 to $20 per hour, equating to an annual salary of $30,000 to $40,000 for full-time employees.
Wages can vary significantly depending on job setting, with some roles offering higher pay based on demand and specialization.
Salary Based on Employment Type
Part-Time Scribes: Earn between $12 and $17 per hour, with annual earnings depending on total hours worked.
Full-Time Scribes: Typically make $25 to $45 per hour, particularly in hospitals or specialized medical facilities, often with added benefits like health insurance and paid time off.
Entry-Level or Volunteer Roles: Some positions start at around $9 per hour, varying by location. These roles often serve as stepping stones to higher-paying opportunities.
Earning Potential with Experience
A medical scribe working 40 hours per week for an entire year can earn between $67,520 and $80,000, assuming an hourly wage of $32 to $40.
With experience, advanced certifications, and specialization, it’s possible to double annual earnings, particularly for those transitioning into leadership roles or pursuing careers in medicine.
| Employment Type | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Average Pay | $15 - $20 per hour | $30,000 - $40,000 per year |
| Part-Time Scribes | $12 - $17 per hour | Varies based on hours worked |
| Full-Time Scribes | $25 - $45 per hour | Varies based on hours worked |
| Volunteer Positions | Around $9 per hour | Varies by region |
| Full-Time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks) | $32 - $40 per hour | $67,520 - $80,000 per year |
| Potential Earnings with Experience | Can increase significantly | Possible to double annual earnings with dedication and experience |
What is a medical scribe and what do they do?
Medical scribes help doctors by writing down important details during patient visits. They take notes, record medical history, check vital signs, review test results with patients, and schedule follow-up appointments. Their job makes it easier for doctors to focus on patient care instead of paperwork. By keeping accurate records, medical scribes help ensure that doctors have all the information they need to provide the best treatment.
Medical scribes are usually paid based on the number of patient visits they document instead of an hourly wage. On average, they earn between $13 and $20 per hour, depending on their experience, location, and workplace. Those working in hospitals or specialized clinics may earn more. With time and more training, scribes can increase their pay and job opportunities. This role is a great way to gain experience in the medical field and can be a stepping stone to other healthcare careers.
How To Become a Medical Scribe
If you want to become a medical scribe, you can join a training program to learn more about the job. These programs teach you about medical procedures, how to document patient visits properly, and how to use computer systems for recordkeeping. After training, it’s important to keep practicing your skills in medical documentation and organization. With time, experience, and dedication, into other roles in the healthcare industry. Many medical scribes use this job as a stepping stone to become nurses, physician assistants, or even doctors.
The experience gained as a scribe helps them understand medical terms, patient care, and how a healthcare facility operates. With hard work and commitment, a medical scribe can advance in their career by taking on more responsibilities, learning specialized medical terminology, or working in high-demand settings like hospitals or emergency rooms. Some employers may also offer additional training or certifications that can lead to better pay and job opportunities. Whether you plan to stay in this role long-term or use it as a path to another healthcare profession, being a medical scribe is a great way to gain real-world experience in the medical field.
Comprehensive Guide to Medical Scribe Pay and Earnings
Medical scribes play an important role in the healthcare industry by assisting doctors with documentation. They record details of patient visits, update electronic health records, and ensure that doctors have accurate and complete medical notes. Their work helps improve efficiency in hospitals and clinics, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork.
Medical scribes typically earn between $11 and $20 per hour, depending on their experience and location. In high-demand areas or specialized medical settings, wages may be higher. Some employers offer additional benefits such as overtime pay, bonuses based on performance, and even tuition reimbursement for those pursuing further education in healthcare. Certain medical scribe programs may also provide allowances for relocation, making this career path even more attractive for those looking to gain experience in the medical field.
Medical Scribe Salary in California
The average salary of a medical scribe in California is estimated to be around $17.50 to $20 per hour, depending on the industry and location. However, due to the high cost of living in certain parts of the state, such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, wages for this profession can be significantly higher. The Sacramento metropolitan area, for example, has an average wage of $22 per hour for medical scribes. Additionally, many employers offer various incentives and bonuses that can increase overall earnings even more.
Medical Scribe Salary in Florida
The average hourly pay rate for medical scribes in Florida is typically around $15 to $17 per hour. In Miami-Dade County, most employers pay between $14 and $16 an hour for this type of position. In other parts of the state, such as Tampa or Orlando, wages may be slightly higher at around $18 or $19 an hour. With experience or specialized training, wages can also increase substantially; some employers offer up to $25 an hour for experienced medical scribes with advanced degrees or certifications.
Medical Scribe Salary in Texas
The typical range of salaries for medical scribes in Texas is between $13 and $17 an hour; however, wages can be much higher depending on the region and employer type. For instance, those working at large hospitals or private practices may earn up to $20 per hour while those employed by smaller clinics usually make around$15 an hour on average. Wages also tend to vary from city to city; those based in Dallas earn significantly more than those working in rural areas with fewer resources available to them.
Medical Scribe Salary in NYC
Medical scribes located within New York City are some of the highest-paid professionals within this field nationwide, often earning upwards of 20 dollars an hour depending on experience and qualifications needed for the job role required by their specific employer(s). As one would expect due to its size and population density compared with other cities throughout America, this high demand results not only from larger established healthcare facilities but also from numerous small independent practices that maintain a need for a skilled workforce, resulting overall in strong competition among employers when offering potential employment opportunities, leading therefore to generous pay rates being offered as part of these roles accordingly too!
| State | Average Hourly Wage | Higher-Paying Areas | Potential Max Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $17.50 - $20 | Tampa, Orlando ($18-$19/hr), Miami-Dade ($14-$16/hr) | Higher wages in high-cost areas + bonuses |
| Florida | $15 - $17 | Tampa, Orlando ($18-$19/hr), Miami-Dade ($14-$16/hr) | Up to $25/hr with experience & certifications |
| Texas | $13 - $17 | Dallas (higher wages), rural areas (lower wages) | Up to $20/hr at large hospitals or private practices |
| New York City | $20+ | Entire NYC area | Among the highest in the U.S. due to demand |
Medical Scribe Salary per Hour
The average salary for medical scribes ranges between $10 and $15 per hour, depending on factors such as experience, employer, and location. Those with more experience, especially in larger cities or specialized medical settings, may earn up to $20 per hour. Medical scribes working in high-demand environments, such as emergency rooms or busy hospitals, may have opportunities for higher wages and additional benefits.
Medical scribes are typically paid on an hourly basis, and their earnings can increase with experience and additional certifications. Many employers also offer bonuses, incentives, or other forms of compensation, such as overtime pay, to reward strong performance and dedication.
The hourly wage for a medical scribe depends on their level of experience, the medical facility they work in, and the city or region they are employed in. In general, medical scribes can expect to earn between $10 and $20 per hour, with those working in large hospitals or specialized medical practices often earning at the higher end of the scale.
Medical Scribe Average Salary
The average salary for medical scribes is around $13–17 an hour nationally. This rate may increase depending on the city and individual experience level. Salary for Medical Scribes: Salaries for medical scribes can vary widely depending on the city they work in and their level of experience. Entry-level medical scribes can expect to make around $11 an hour, while experienced medical scribes may make up to $20 per hour in some cases. Scribe Medical Salary: Depending on the city, a typical entry-level salary for a medical scribe is between $10 and $12 an hour, with experienced professionals earning up to $17 an hour or more in some areas.
Remote Medical Scribe Salary
While remote medical scribing jobs offer flexibility and the convenience of working from home, it is important to understand that these positions generally pay less than in-office roles. This is primarily due to the lower overhead costs for employers, as they do not need to provide physical workspace, equipment, or other resources. Additionally, remote scribes may not have access to the same hands-on training and direct interaction with medical professionals as those working in a clinical setting, which can also impact earning potential.
On average, remote medical scribes earn between $8 and $17 per hour, with pay varying based on experience, employer, and the complexity of the role. Some organizations offer performance-based bonuses, incentives, or additional benefits to reward accuracy and efficiency. While remote scribing jobs may not always match the pay of in-office positions, they provide an excellent opportunity for those seeking flexible work arrangements, such as students, part-time workers, or individuals looking to gain medical experience without commuting to a healthcare facility.
Medical Scribe Salaries
Salaries for medical scribes vary greatly by experience level, location, and type of work they perform, with entry-level salaries ranging from approximately 10 to 15 dollars per hour, while more experienced professionals could potentially earn upwards of 20 dollars or more based upon their skill set and geographical area. Additionally, some organizations may offer additional bonuses dependent upon performance metrics such as completion rates or accuracy levels, which could further increase earnings potential over time.
If you’re interested in a career that is constantly growing and has many benefits, becoming a medical scribe may be the perfect fit for you. The demand for medical scribes is high and only projected to grow in the future. With our help, you can enroll in one of our medical scribe certification courses to increase your chances of getting hired as soon as possible. Plus, with an increased salary potential, now is the time to make the switch to this rewarding career path. What are you waiting for?