The MT Conundrum

Those in the medical transcription field flocked to our 2008 Salary Survey, eager to see how they measured up against their colleagues. We had 872 total respondents in the transcription field, and 516 full-time MTs/editors and 212 part-time MTs/editors took our annual survey. Average MT salaries did nudge up a bit--4 percent--from last year, with full- and part-time MTs/editors making an average of $28,900 in 2008, compared to $27,800 last year. Full-time MTs reported bringing in $33,500.

At the Association for Health Care Documentation Integrity (AHDI), Kim Buchanan, CMT, AHDI-F, director of education and credentialing, hears a lot of complaints from MTs in the industry reporting drops in pay. "You hear complaints that wages are going down, but overall the data shows otherwise," Buchanan said. "This stat is showing we're slowly increasing."

MTs who work for medical transcription service organizations (MTSOs) did see a dip in pay (see sidebar on the next page), but certified medical transcriptionists (CMTs) (21 percent of full-time MTs) saw average salaries poke up to $39,000. To compare with last year's results, CMTs across all HIM professions brought in $37,864, and this year, CMTs who were MTs and other HIM professionals combined made an average of $43,900. Buchanan was very encouraged by the numbers, as full-time MTs who have a CMT make nearly $7,000 more than their non-credentialed colleagues. "To me, that really shows the credential differentiates you in the marketplace," Buchanan noted. "It's really encouraging to me to see the credential is being valued, and it should be. The complexity of documentation we're starting to see is going to require a  knowledgeable worker, and to me, credentials show you made a commitment to lifelong learning and you are truly invested in your knowledge."

The registered medical transcriptionist (RMT) credentialed folks didn't fare as well, making on average $6,000 less than full-time MTs with no credential. The credential is only 2 years old, Buchanan explained, and most RMTs are entry-level MTs/editors who just came out of school. Looking at the average salary of MTs/editors with 0 to 2 years' experience ($24,500), RMTs make more than that ($26,100), and the RMT might also just be the ticket that gets new MTs hired in the field. "In a way, it's really helping them leapfrog that beginning salary you show on 0 to 2 years," Buchanan said. "It's helping them, it's propelling them, and it's putting them ahead, which is great. That's exactly what we wanted it to do."

After examining all the numbers for MTs, Buchanan was happy the average salary for MTs/editors crept up, albeit slightly. "Overall, I'm encouraged to see we continue to increase, even if it's at what looks like a snail's pace," Buchanan said. "In an economy where people are losing jobs left and right, it's good to know transcription is remaining viable, and we're still seeing our wages creep back up."  

Lynn Jusinski is an associate editor with ADVANCE.

By clicking on the links below, you can see a full overview of the results we gathered in the 2008 Salary Survey.

General HIM Professionals Results  

Coder Summary

HIM Director/Manager Summary

Cancer/Tumor Registrar Summary

MT/Editor Summary

Does Your Employer Pay More for Credentialed Employees?

That question was a new one added to the ADVANCE salary survey this year, and to say the least, the results were mixed. Fifty-one percent of coders said their employer does pay more to employees who hold a credential. A quarter of coders aren't offered more money for holding a credential, and 24 percent aren't sure if the pay is different for credentialed employees.

Among cancer registrars who responded to our survey, 49 percent said their employer does reward credentialed employees with more pay, while 26 percent of employers don't offer a differential and 25 percent of cancer registrars weren't sure if a differential is offered to credentialed employees.

MTs/editors responded to the question differently than the others. Only 21 percent said a credential will get them more money from their employer, while 47 percent said employers don't offer any financial incentive for credentials. Thirty-two percent weren't sure whether or not a differential was offered for credentials.

Kim Buchanan, CMT, AHDI-F, director of credentialing and education with the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI), said she was most concerned by the 32 percent who didn't know if a differential was offered. "The one consistent message we hear from MTs is they don't feel the credential is valued and they want to see higher salaries," Buchanan explained. "Well, that push needs to come from two directions."

She said employers need to recognize the credentials and pay more, but MTs/editors also need to step up and do their part to help employers see the value of a credentialed employee. "The fact that 32 percent don't even know if their employer offers a pay differential or any kind of a benefit, that's concerning to me," Buchanan said. "They really need to be finding out, and taking an active role in making sure their credential is recognized."

Out of all HIM professionals polled, 43 percent reported their employer does pay more to employees with letters behind their names. Thirty-one percent don't see a difference in pay for credentials, while 26 percent aren't sure if a differential is offered. SAM! Farrell, group president, Kforce Professional Staffing, Tampa, FL, said that across the HIM field, some facilities are really stepping up and rewarding employees with credentials. Others, however, are not. "Some facilities are really raising the bar on requiring that [credential] and promoting the pay increases that go along with that, and others are just happy to have people in the department, quite honestly," Farrell said.

 --Lynn Jusinski