Transcriptionist vs medical receptionist

The differences between transcriptionists and medical receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a transcriptionist has an average salary of $44,118, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

The top three skills for a transcriptionist include transcription, patients and dictation. The most important skills for a medical receptionist are patients, customer service, and check-in.

Transcriptionist vs medical receptionist overview

	Transcriptionist	Medical Receptionist
Yearly salary	$44,118	$31,960
Hourly rate	$21.21	$15.37
Growth rate	-7%	-8%
Number of jobs	270	118,048
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Associate Degree, 28%
Average age	41	49
Years of experience	-	2

What does a transcriptionist do?

A transcriptionist is responsible for listening to audio files and converting them to a written document, following transcribing rules and processes depending on the clients' specifications. Transcriptionists must also have excellent researching skills, especially to understand foreign terminologies and jargon, ensuring the written transcription accuracy. They also review drafts from various speech software to identify inconsistencies and revise speech discrepancies. A transcriptionist must have excellent communication skills, including written and listening mastery and time-management, submitting work on deadlines with the highest efficiency.

What does a medical receptionist do?

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

Transcriptionist vs medical receptionist salary

Transcriptionists and medical receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Transcriptionist	Medical Receptionist
Average salary	$44,118	$31,960
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $57,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	CENTER FOR SIGHT
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between transcriptionist and medical receptionist education

There are a few differences between a transcriptionist and a medical receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Transcriptionist	Medical Receptionist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 39%	Associate Degree, 28%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	-	-

Transcriptionist vs medical receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between transcriptionists' and medical receptionists' demographics:

	Transcriptionist	Medical Receptionist
Average age	41	49
Gender ratio	Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7%	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 14.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between transcriptionist and medical receptionist duties and responsibilities

Transcriptionist example responsibilities.

Manage two ambulance sets, two ambulances, and specialize high-angle rescue equipment value at $500K+.
Transcribe cardiology, urology, and oncology reports.
Transcribe medical office dictation from outpatient facilities (internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, radiology).
Transcribe a variety of medical reports for different physician practices including specialties of psychiatry, neurology, neurosurgery and orthopedics.
Transcribe dictation for MRI scans of the body.
Job description: medical transcription of ultrasound, biopsy, and mammography reports.

Medical receptionist example responsibilities.

Conduct analysis to address long wait times which lead to faster triage, shorter wait times.
Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Greet and check-in patients, including obtaining accurate patient demographic information, patient registration, and checking insurance eligibility.
Learned and operate chiropractic equipment (decompression; Leander) & x-rays; enabling Dr to have more time for patients.
Resolve concerns of terminally ill patients with compassion and professionalism.
Identify patients' specific scheduling requirements while demonstrating care and compassion via telephone.

Transcriptionist vs medical receptionist skills

Common transcriptionist skills

Transcription, 25%
Patients, 8%
Dictation, 8%
Transcription Services, 6%
Patient Care, 5%
WPM, 4%

Common medical receptionist skills

Patients, 30%
Customer Service, 9%
Check-In, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Patient Care, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

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Healthcare Support Industry
Transcriptionist
Transcriptionist vs Medical Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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