Looking for the best online transcription jobs for beginners?
As a transcriptionist, your main task is to convert audio and video files into text documents. You listen carefully to the recordings and type them out accurately. This job requires good listening and typing skills and offers the flexibility to work from home or while traveling.
Transcriptionists play a crucial role in various fields like law, medicine, education, and entertainment by converting spoken content into written text. If you’re interested, there’s a free workshop called “Is a Career in Transcription Right for You?” where you can learn what transcription involves, why it’s in demand, who hires transcriptionists, and how to become one.
Finding the Best Transcription Jobs
Online transcription jobs offer a flexible work-from-home option across many industries. Transcriptionists need excellent listening and typing skills and can earn between $15 to $30 per hour, with beginners typically making less.
What Does an Online Transcriptionist Do?
As an online transcriptionist, you listen to audio or video recordings and type out everything you hear. Computers can’t always do this accurately, so human transcriptionists are preferred. There are different types of transcription jobs, including general, medical, and legal. Freelance transcriptionists can work on various projects for different clients and enjoy the flexibility of setting their own schedules.
To start, you need a computer, internet access, and headphones. You can find transcription jobs on freelance sites or by joining transcription companies. Working with a company often means a steady stream of projects, while freelancing gives you more control over your earnings.
Key Skills for Transcriptionists
Good typing speed and accuracy
Excellent listening skills
Strong grammar, spelling, and punctuation
By honing these skills, you can build a successful career as an online transcriptionist.
Types of Transcription Jobs
General Transcription: Involves converting audio files from various industries into text. It’s a good starting point for beginners as it doesn’t require specialized knowledge.
Medical Transcription: Involves transcribing medical audio files like doctors’ notes and patient records. Requires knowledge of medical terminology and may offer higher pay.
Legal Transcription: Involves transcribing legal proceedings such as court hearings and depositions. Requires understanding legal terms and may need additional training.
How Much Can a Beginner Transcriptionist Make?
Beginners can earn between $15 to $30 per hour, but actual earnings depend on factors like typing speed and the company you work for. Medical transcriptionists often earn more but may require additional training.
Best Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
Rev: Known for its user-friendly platform and competitive pay rates. You can start quickly after passing a quiz and submitting a transcript example.
TranscribeMe: Offers training and pays $15 per audio hour for beginners, with opportunities to earn more by joining special teams.
Crowdsurf: Provides short transcription tasks and opportunities for promotion to higher-paying tasks.
Quicktate: Focuses on transcribing various content types and offers flexible work opportunities.
SpeakWrite: Offers transcription jobs in legal, government, and other fields, with the option to choose your work hours.
Indeed: A job search platform with a wide range of transcription jobs.
Fiverr: Allows you to create your own transcription gig listings and set your own rates.
Tigerfish: Accepts beginners and professionals, paying around $8 to $15 per hour.
Scribie: Offers transcription jobs for various content types, paying $5 to $20 per audio hour.
GMR Transcription: Specializes in various transcription services, with average earnings of $1,000 to $3,000 per month.
Daily Transcription: Requires a typing speed of 60 WPM and offers competitive pay rates.
CastingWords: Offers flexible work and pays between 8.5 cents and over $1.00 per audio minute.
BabbleType: Specializes in market research transcription, paying $27 to $36 per audio hour.
Appen: Offers transcription jobs for various audio types, contributing to AI-powered models.
UpWork: A freelancing site with a range of transcription jobs.
3Play Media: Provides a variety of transcription services and is currently hiring.
GoTranscript: Offers transcription jobs worldwide, paying up to $0.60 per audio minute.
Transcript Divas: A UK-based site paying around £0.87 per audio minute.
Audio Transcription Center: Pays $15 to $18 per hour and requires a typing speed of 80 WPM.
How to Become an Online Transcriptionist
Research different platforms and read their application rules.
Create an account and complete your profile.
Take a skills assessment test.
Get hired, start transcribing, and get paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do you need to transcribe? A computer with Microsoft Word, high-speed internet, and headphones. A foot pedal can also be helpful.
What are the pros and cons of transcribing? Pros include flexible hours and the ability to work from home. Cons include potentially low pay at the start and lack of employee benefits.
Is it worth taking a transcribing job course? A course can be beneficial, especially for specialized roles, but not always necessary for general transcription.
Which transcribing course is best? Transcribe Anywhere is a popular option.
Is transcription a high-demand job? Yes, especially in fields like media, healthcare, and education.
How do I become a transcriptionist with no experience? Join beginner-friendly sites like TranscribeMe and Rev.
How much do beginner transcribers make? Typically $15 to $30 per hour.
What is the easiest transcription company to work for? TranscribeMe is known for being beginner-friendly.
How long does it take to transcribe 1 hour of audio? Usually between 3 to 6 hours.
Which is better, Rev or TranscribeMe? Rev offers higher pay rates, while TranscribeMe is more beginner-friendly.
Which is the highest-paying transcription site? 3Play Media and Scribie are among the highest-paying.
Are there any transcription jobs that can be done on mobile phones? Some companies like GoTranscript offer mobile apps for transcription.
Can I make a living as a transcriber? Yes, especially if you’re fast and efficient.
What is transcribing? Transcribing is converting spoken words from audio or video files into written text.
Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners
If you’re looking to work from home, transcription might be the job for you. Many industries need transcription services, and you can find both part-time and full-time positions. To get started, consider taking a course or using free resources to hone your skills.