Virtual scribes are the backbone of medical documentation. Doctors can focus on patient care while you handle the behind-the-scenes work.
But what’s in it for you? How much can you expect to make in 2024 as a virtual medical scribe?
Whether you’re just starting or have some experience under your belt, understanding salary expectations and what affects your earning potential is crucial to your career growth. Let’s break it down.
What is a medical scribe, and what do they do?
Virtual medical scribes assist healthcare providers by documenting patient encounters in real-time during consultations, often remotely.
This service helps physicians focus more on patient care by reducing the administrative burden of charting and documenting patient appointments.
Here are the benefits they bring to every business:
1. Efficiency and time management
Virtual scribes help streamline clinical workflows by documenting patient visits in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system in real-time. This means doctors can see more patients and reduce the time spent on paperwork after hours.
2. Accuracy in documentation 
A well-trained virtual scribe ensures that medical and electronic health records are accurate and detailed, adhering to healthcare compliance standards such as HIPAA in the US or similar frameworks elsewhere. This leads to more accurate billing and improved patient care continuity.
3. Real-time support
Virtual medical scribes often operate remotely via HIPAA-compliant software. They listen to the conversation between doctor and patient and capture details such as history, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-ups.
4. Scalability and flexibility
Virtual scribes can benefit healthcare practices of various sizes. They provide flexibility for different specialties and practice scales without needing physical office space or equipment, making them cost-effective.
Nurturing Client Growth through DocVA's Support
Medical scribe salary: Factors and averages
Typical medical scribe salary
As of October 2024, the average salary for a Virtual Medical Scribe in the United States is approximately $42,718 per year, translating to about $18.26 per hour. The salary range varies significantly based on the medical scribe’s experience and location, with most earning between $30,438 and $41,706 annually.
Top cities in the US for highest-paying virtual medical scribe jobs:
City | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
Santa Clara, CA | $45,830 | $3,819 | $881 | $22.03 |
Federal Way, WA | $45,135 | $3,761 | $867 | $21.70 |
Washington, DC | $45,054 | $3,754 | $866 | $21.66 |
San Francisco, CA | $44,297 | $3,691 | $851 | $21.30 |
San Jose, CA | $43,209 | $3,600 | $830 | $20.77 |
Seattle, WA | $42,000 | $3,500 | $808 | $20.20 |
Boston, MA | $41,800 | $3,483 | $804 | $20.10 |
New York, NY | $41,500 | $3,458 | $798 | $19.95 |
Los Angeles, CA | $40,000 | $3,333 | $769 | $19.23 |
Denver, CO | $39,500 | $3,292 | $760 | $19.00 |
Factors that affect the virtual medical scribe salary
1. Experience and qualifications
A newer medical scribe with minimal experience generally earns less than those with several years of experience. Experienced scribes who have worked with a healthcare team in various medical specialties or complex EHR systems often command higher salaries.
In contrast, a scribe with a background in healthcare (e.g., pre-med students or those with medical certifications) might earn more due to their more profound understanding of medical terminology and patient care processes.
2. Geographic location of the employer
While virtual medical scribes often work remotely, the cost of living in the employer’s location can still affect salary. For example, employers in high-cost areas such as the US (particularly cities like New York, Washington, or California) may offer higher pay than those in lower-cost regions or countries.
That said, in countries like the Philippines or India, where living costs are lower, salaries for virtual scribes are typically lower than in the US or UK.
3. Type of medical specialty
Certain medical specialties require more detailed and specific knowledge (e.g., orthopedics, cardiology, or oncology), which may result in higher pay for scribes experienced in those fields. Complex specialties also require scribes to have more training or experience, justifying a higher salary.
4. Employment model (direct hire vs. through an agency)
If a virtual scribe is hired directly by a healthcare provider or a hospital, they may receive a higher salary, as the employer isn’t paying an agency fee. On the other hand, scribes hired through an agency might receive lower wages since the agency takes a portion of the payment as a service fee. However, agencies often provide training and job security that direct hires may not.
5. Work hours and shifts
Full-time virtual scribes generally receive higher overall pay and sometimes benefits, whereas part-time scribes may have a lower annual income but more flexibility. Meanwhile, some positions, particularly those requiring night shifts (for example, if you’re working for a practice in a different time zone), may offer shift differentials that increase the base pay rate.
6. EHR system proficiency
Scribes who are proficient in popular EHR systems like Epic, Cerner, or Athenahealth may earn more, as they can quickly integrate into the workflow and improve the healthcare provider team‘s overall efficiency.
7. Language skills
Being bilingual or multilingual can also increase a scribe’s salary, especially in regions where patients may speak various languages.
8. Additional certifications and skills
Certifications in medical coding or billing, HIPAA compliance, or advanced training in scribing can boost a scribe’s value, leading to higher pay.
9. Contract vs. full-time employee
These scribes may have fluctuating pay depending on workload and demand, but they can sometimes negotiate higher hourly rates due to the flexible nature of the arrangement. In the meantime, full-time salaried scribes tend to have stable incomes but may have less flexibility in their work hours.
Benefits and perks for virtual medical scribes
While benefits can vary based on the type of employment (contractor vs. full-time employee), here are some more common benefits and standard perks associated with virtual medical scribing:
1. Flexible work schedule
One of the biggest perks for virtual medical scribes is the flexibility in their work hours. Depending on the role, scribes may have the opportunity to work part-time or adjust their hours to fit their schedule, which can be particularly beneficial for students or individuals seeking work-life balance.
2. Remote work 
Virtual medical scribes work remotely, eliminating the need for commuting and offering the convenience of working from home or working virtually anywhere with internet access. This flexibility is a significant advantage for those seeking a remote work environment.
3. Professional growth opportunities
Many virtual scribing roles offer opportunities for growth in the medical field. Scribes can learn medical terminology, patient care processes, and Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. This job training can be a valuable stepping stone for those pursuing careers in healthcare, such as medical students or pre-med individuals.
4. Training and development
Some employers and scribing agencies provide employees with comprehensive training programs covering medical terminology, documentation best practices, and EHR systems. Continuous training can be part of the job, allowing scribes to enhance their skills and adapt to different medical specialties.
5. Healthcare benefits
Full-time virtual medical scribes employed directly by healthcare facilities or agencies may receive healthcare benefits such as health insurance, dental, and vision coverage. However, these benefits are less common for contract-based scribes.
6. Paid time off (PTO) and sick leave
Full-time virtual scribes may be entitled to paid time off (PTO) and sick leave. The specifics will depend on the company and the employer, but this can be a valuable perk for those seeking stability in their work-life balance.
7. Career progression
Virtual medical scribes often have opportunities to move into more advanced healthcare roles, such as healthcare administration, medical coding, physician assistants or even clinical roles, based on their experience and knowledge gained in the field.
8. Access to healthcare technology and software
Scribes work with advanced healthcare technologies like EHR systems, which can be a valuable skill set for future roles in healthcare administration or clinical management. Mastery of these systems can open doors to other career paths within the medical field.
9. Work-life balance
The remote nature of the job often allows for better work-life balance, especially for those balancing other commitments such as education or family responsibilities.
10. Competitive pay
Many virtual medical scribe roles offer competitive pay, especially for those with experience, specific expertise, or proficiency in high-demand medical specialties.
11. Exposure to different medical specialties
Scribes may be able to work in various medical specialties (e.g., cardiology, emergency medicine, orthopedics), allowing them to gain diverse professional experience and expand their medical knowledge.
