earnings - what can i expect from home?
Posted By: JoanneNY on 2005-10-23
In Reply to:
Hello all ... I've been an MT for 13+ years and my current hospital has OUTSOURCED  my position! I'm in a crappy job at the hospital currently, working 3-11, to keep my benefits until I decide what to do, and go on interviews. I'm considering working for the company that took over the hospital account - but I'm not sure what to expect as far as pay per line.
If its not too personal - how much do you guys earn at home per hour/week?
THanks so much! Joanne
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Earnings
I might add that I make less than half what I did when I worked in the hospital laboratory (I was in management), but that's OK. I'm much happier. 
Uh...30% IS near 40%. lol. And you need to put aside 50% of your earnings in CA.
.
Earnings
I work five hours a day and take home (after taxes, etc.) between $1500-1700 every pay period.
Earnings
In California. That's specific enough.
My earnings
For the last three years, I worked a 30-hour week and earned 44K with MQ each year. I expect to earn at least 60K now that I am fulltime.
How do you get your earnings up?
Hi there,
I have been working as an MT since January. It was certainly slow at first as I was on a learning curve. Now I am quite familiar with the work and have made all sorts of "shorthand" for myself with MS Word. I also spend long hours, often more than 8 a day working at this, and I am still only earning under $600 per two weeks. How do I get my earnings up? I have heard one can make very good money doing this... but I am considering going back to work outside the home. I need to earn at least $1000 per two weeks. The company I am with pays 8 cpl for typing and 4 cpl for editing.
MT Earnings
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.
MT earnings
What a load of crap
monthly earnings
I'm new to this board, just found it today, and have been *so* depressed with what I've been reading in regards to line counts and rates you all are being paid. I've been an IC for 15 plus years, transcribing for about 23 years now. I charge by gross lines, 12 cents a line, max 70 characters possible on a line. I make okay money, averaging between $3000 and $4000 a month, with three good dictators, and I live on the West Coast. I could easily make more if I turned off the TV when transcribing and didn't take time off to be at the kids' sporting events. Before I got married, I easily made $55-60K a year, before expenses, but taxes killed me  so I backed off a bit. (This was before the elaborate Expander programs.) Ladies, the money is out there. You just have to find the right accounts!!
What do you mean they "take" 25% of your earnings?
If you mean they pay you 75% of what they charge the client, then 25% is small potatoes in my opinion for all the headaches they have for marketing, keeping the client happy, being the responsible party for turn around, technical issues, etc. It's not worth the other 25% to me to have to go out and find clients and keep them happy and covered.
Well, if you doubled your earnings, does it come up to that 60-75K
s
it does take a toll on earnings...
I agree about the rates for VR. It can take a while to fix a botched report and in some cases I have to fix them by typing in the corrections, but still only getting paid half the rate. I used the Edit Script platform, which is awesome, but the company I work for is heavily supported by ESL docs, so it is a challenge. I do, however, use the IT Expander and get free lines from templates.
My solution was to also work for a second company that uses the same platform, but is mostly American docs and has a higher percentage of typing rather than editing, about 60/40 (40 typing). My first company is around 80/20 (only 20% typing). I agree with another poster who said that you have to find the combination that will work for you and increase your pay. She is right because for me, the second company is a smaller company and I will make more money with them. I like the other company also because they will give me experience with ESLs, but I will earn less money. I do the smaller company full time so I can eventually get the benefits and the larger company with the ESLs part time. Now I am receiving 2 paychecks, but working extremely long hours. I feel it will balance out with time. I have flexible schedules with both and can usually take off anytime I choose,which I feel are the perks of being an MT. It is hard to have this situation with a traditional job, so I take the good with the bad. I am new to this field and want to stay optimistic about my future with MTing.
Weekly earnings
Am relatively new to at home transcription so I am not doing as well as most poster.
Instant Text is relativley new to me, but helping prodcution.
I am not familiar with MP Lite. I know someone will be kind enough to share.
Thanks!
I live on one job and save the earnings from the 2nd.
I am retiring at 55. Only 10 years left.
I've always worked 2 jobs and saved 100% of the 2nd one.
Have a list of places I want to go and things to do when I retire. Gotta get started early. :)
Poll: Earnings vs Expenses
1. What are your monthly earnings -- just you (no spousal income) -- doesn't matter how many jobs....monthly earnings?
2. Do you work more than one job?
3. What is your base line rate? If you have more than 1 job, list all base rates.
4. Now what is the minimum bring-home pay you need to survive each month? This is your housing, energy, transportation, insurances, food -- what you have to have to make it.
5. What's the difference? Are you in the hole? Got surplus? Breaking even?
My answers:
1. About $3100 each month.
2. One job.
3. $0.095 cpl plus some incentive bonus each month.
4. $2287 gets everything paid. Savings and pocket money not included in that figure.
5. Surplus but not much. Trying to save as much as possible and have a few greenbacks in my wallet each week.
You only have to report earnings over $300 on a 1099 form.
Most people don't want to mess with it, so they don't report it. I don't think it's right. I know of people who are selling things on Ebay, parting out cars or doing construction for income, but they still collect unemployment, social security disability, foodstamps, utility payments, and welfare. It's not fair. Those of us who work hard and follow the law do with less while other people cheat the system and live high on the hog. Their kids have designer clothes, $50+ shoes and the latest electronics.
Yes, I've reported it for babysitters before.
With state and Federal, you 40% of your earnings GO, bottom line.
I don't know what's up for debate, it's fact.
Housing prices have gone up 40% in the past year alone in California.
That should be 15% social security of your gross quarterly earnings also. n,
:
It is irrelevant what percentage the service takes of 'your' earnings...sm
what matters is: is it worth it to you to work for that rate? On some accounts, my IC's might make only 50% of what I charge the client, on others they might be paid 80%. For one physician, I might charge 12 cents a line - if another calls, says they are in a jam and desperate to get their backlog done, I might bid it at 14. But if you are satisifed with say 8.5 cents a line, it doesn't matter if your MTSO charges them 9.5 or 19.5.
As far as line rates to physicians, again, it depends on what the market will bear. You could call local physician offices and tell them you are an independent MT service and you are getting price ranges for the locality, and ask the OM what they are paying. That would give you an idea of what is competitive. In West Virginia, they might be charging 18 cents per line, in Chicagoland they might be charging 11.
The line rate
My earnings are very similar to shipaddict. Really good week I can top $1000 but rarely. nm
;
what then, do you expect us to do? sm
all go out there and open our own service? Some of us don't want the hassle of finding the work, paying the taxes, hiring the people to do the work, etc, etc...I, for one, am very happy working for my national, which happens to be MQ. I certainly couldn't do any better on my own...and have half the headache to boot! For some, a national just "fits", it just does! Sorry if some people can't comprehend that! 
what did he expect?
Yup! Good luck to him, he let a whole lot of people down, including himself.
where do you expect them to go exactly?
I mean really, telling a poor city "evacuate" is ridiculous. They have no car, no transportation, no where to go, and half of them probably do not have a television set to know they needed to evacuate. It was probably confusing and paralyzing to them.
What to expect...
Two things.... Responsible grown up 40 something people out for a good time, listening to a major staple of their musical experience as a teenager... AND.... possibly a group of 40 something people who failed to realize that they are no longer teenagers anymore. We went to a Styx concert a few years back and there were so many former 70s teens who had obviously NOT grown up yet. Long hair, foul language, smoking pot. Sheesh.
But, maybe since it's probably an indoor concert, you might get a better class crowd. Expect a WONDERFUL evening! Have fun
I would not expect you to
and there's no way for me to assess what you know. I would really be interested in finding about 10 people who are really looking for ways to improve and let them try this FREE to get feedback. I can tell you this, a few years back I went to work for a local hospital. The "top dog" there was a really sweet girl who had been there for 14 years. In 6 months, my production was higher than hers. My supe asked me to do a little one-hour presentation on shortcuts and I did. Before I worked there, no one even used a shortcut program. It was a stipulation of my taking that job that I could use one. Most people said it really helped them, although one or two "old-timers" said they could type fast enough without it. some people will just resist change whether it could help them or not!!!
more often than you would expect :( - nm
sss
Come on...you can't expect anything other
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Actually you could probably expect
Phlebotomy is very desirable as well even in private practices. Good luck! Welcome to the medical field!
What do we expect?
Good old American kids are taught to the test, especially since No Child Left Behind; but even before that there were tests of reading and math skills at the state level. Writing and speaking skills cannot be graded on a Scantron, so they aren't part of the test and increasingly aren't taught. Text messaging ShortHand doesn't help either. They get into medical school - in a class with how many ESL fellow students? How many ESL professors? They get to their residencies - with how many ESL attendings? What medical school has a class for dictation? No, the people seen as the least educated (and paid accordingly) will clean up the mess like they always do. That would be you and me! Lucky for them, we're good at it!
expect a pay cut sm....
health insurance is HSA w/Aetna. If you do straight transcription you'll be ok, if doing speech, I'd look for another job (which is what I'm doing). Flexibility of schedule is really dependent on your super - I've had some who were horrible and like the one I have now, she's wonderful.
Well, they said I could expect OT immediately..??
We will see on the production. I was told the accounts were overburdened with work and there was a bounty of OT being offered.
We will see.
What do you expect MQ or any MTSO to do?
if they have MTs scheduled to work that don't work their shifts, or that don't produce, their TATs will suffer -- and keeping the client happy is the bottom line to staying in business and keeping you and me employed. So if the work isn't getting done, then they must hire some people that will work. Then of course those slackers will holler when they don't have any. I guess its just the way of the world...
What I expect from my government
When a mandatory evacuation is ordered I expect to be able to get on the hurricane evacuation routes and have enough gas available to get moving. Is this reality........NO.
As far as moving somewhere else, FL has a way of putting a grip on you. Low wages to the point you are stuck literally. I haven't been out of this state in over 7 years due to lack of funds.
Yes, I expect any minute now to
get an email from my supe saying the virus is the reason for the lack of work! 
I mean, I have been given every other excuse so I am sure this one will be next...
You are right on. There's only so much you can expect to be paid
x
don't expect miracles
Let me tell you what to expect on the floor. Expect older and experienced nurses who are biding their time before retirement to not be available for anything. Expect to get yelled at by patients and to get very used to the smell of feces and vomit. Expect to get yelled at by family members of patients who are angry with physicians, but since the physician's don't hang around, YOU get yelled at. Expect to get yelled at by physicians for just any old thing they want to yell at you for. Expect to try and find your orders on the chart, some written by the physician (good luck with that) and some typed by an MT who has not been QA'd....with you sitting there knowing your patient needs something but having no idea what (and don't expect the doctor to remember). Expect to be hit, bitten, kicked, spit on, having things thrown at you. Little children will hate you because you had to hurt them to get them better. Expect to get very very sick the first few months..you'll catch everything from everybody, especially if you have been rather isolated working at home. Also expect to do a lot of crying over that elderly person who died alone, over the child with cancer, the mother who lost her baby. You think being an MT is stressful, just wait.
Did you expect this reaction? n/m
n
Thank you all. This gives me some insight into what to expect. nm
x
Yes I expect him to fix the pipes.
BUT, he tells me when he's going to do it and how much he'll charge, and HE ALSO TELLS ME IF HE CANNOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If he cannot, he leaves, and I call another plumber! DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! 
How do you expect MT to know what is wanted
x
Can you ever expect a raise!?
I've been an MT- for 15 years, so I'm not new to this, but is it still common to keep on at the same per-line amount that you were hired at year after year!? I have been at my current job for 3-1/2 years and still make the same per line and also get no paid days off. I hate starting new jobs and when I hired on the per-line rate I got paid was higher than most, although it is IC work with no benefits. The cost of living has gone up so much and I need more money to make ends meet, but I am a bit wimpy about approaching my boss.
I would love some input on the going per-line rate (I do ER and clinic work) and also how often you receive a raise if ever so I can decide how to approach this issue. Thanks so much!
Did not expect a name, just want to see the experience
of people. I am deciding whether or not to be an IC or an employee again after being laid off is all. Believe me, I am not an MTSO or a suit trying to do PR here. Just wanting to know some information on trends to see if IC is a safer bet than being an employee. If I don't get much help here, I will go the IC route, because I already have a couple of offers on the table which are extremely flexible. Did not know if I should try to go back to an MTSO after being laid off again. Thanks for your answer.
If I expect perfection from my spouse, that must mean
I am perfect myself. I don't know of anyone who is perfect. I am not so judgmental of people that I expect them to never have bad days and never express frustration, or else the relationship is over. I'm sure there have been plenty of days in the past 20 years that we've known each other when I've annoyed him to no end. Sometimes intentionally.... LOL
I was disappointed too, especially that they expect me to believe that people who have been at each
other's throats for the last few seasons (mom and George, Keith and David, and now Claire and her new boyfriend) are suddenly going to have all of their relationships work out fine in the end. I guess why they call it fiction!
They expect so much from MTs but the other office staff
is paid well and make mistakes (x-ray techs, scheduling, etc), be paid full benefits.
What is UP with that?
You can pretty much expect to lose about 1/2 - 1/3
You will be required to turn in your tax papers and refund check to the Bankruptcy Clerk...he/she will then in turn tell you how much you can have of it back. They will disperse what they keep between some of the creditors you filed bankruptcy on. The portion you are allowed will be sent to your attorney. Our refund was about $3100...we got back $1200 from the bankruptcy court...then the attorney took out their fees for the bankruptcy and we ended up with about $200.
It definitely sucks..but compared to what we owed and got out from underneath of because of the bankruptcy, it was worth it.
WOW!! I knew I was told to expect some
rudeness here, but the degree is astounding!! Why I ask here and not calling a dr is because I did not have a dr to call. Not that it is anybody's beezwax. I did not post asking to be called ridiculous (an MT who cannot even spell ridiculous is just that, ridiculous!!). Syonara!!!
front tooth not sure about $$ but expect....nm
Yeah, I was in there the other day and saw them. I wouldn't expect that either.
Reasonable cpl to expect for newbie MT?
What would be a reasonable cpl to expect as full-time employee (not IC) with a national if you have no experience but do have MT education from one of the AAMT-approved schools?
As an MTSO do you expect more from an IC than an employee...(sm)
I personally would expect the same quality of work from either. Just curious if others expect better quality from an IC or an employee. For example, should an IC send in less blanks to QA verus an employee and overall have a better quality work?
Thanks for your opinions. I have never thought about this until it was recently brought to my attention.
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