Here are the best transcription jobs for beginners where you can get paid $2,000+ a month for listening to audio and typing what you hear.
Looking for the best online transcription jobs for beginners?
As a transcriptionist, your job is to turn audio and video files into text documents. You listen to what’s being said and type it up into a text format.
This freelance job requires good listening skills to accurately transcribe what is being said.
As a transcriptionist, you have the flexibility to set your own schedule and transcribe files from the comfort of your home or even while traveling.
Online transcriptionists have an important role in transforming spoken content into written text. They work for a range of companies in law, medicine, education, and entertainment.
A great free resource to take is FREE Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? You’ll learn what transcription is and why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, what it takes to become one, and more.
Quick summary on finding the best transcription jobs
- Online transcription jobs can give you a flexible work-from-home option with many industries needing transcription services.
- Online transcriptionists change spoken words into written text, and they need great listening and typing skills.
- Remote transcribers typically make around $15 to $30 per hour on average. Beginner transcribers make on the lower end of that.
What does an online transcriptionist do?
As an online transcriptionist, your main job is to listen to audio or video recordings and then type out everything that’s being said, which is called transcribing. Your goal is to write what you hear with no errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
You might wonder, can’t a computer do transcription tasks automatically? Well, computers often make numerous mistakes when transcribing, so having a human do the job is much more accurate and reliable.
You’ll find different types of transcription jobs out there, such as general, medical, or legal transcription. As a freelance transcriptionist, you can work on different kinds of projects and work for many different clients.
Online transcription jobs are great for those who want to create their own schedule and work from home. They’re also good for someone who is looking for part-time or full-time jobs from home, as you usually get to choose how many transcription assignments you want to complete each week. I think this is a great benefit of becoming a transcriptionist – you can choose and change up your schedule when you want (for example, you can easily work 4 hours one week and 40 hours the next). Plus, to start as an online transcriptionist, you just need a computer, internet access, and a pair of headphones.
When you’re looking for online transcriptionist jobs, you have two options: you can find your own projects on freelance sites or join a transcription company. Working with a company usually means you’ll have a lot of available projects to work on and you don’t have to do much work to find them (other than log into the transcription job site). On the other hand, freelancing on your own without a job site gives you more control in how you may be able to make money because you aren’t splitting the profits with anyone (clients would be paying you directly instead of dealing with a middleman).
Some important skills you should have as a paid transcriptionist include:
- Good typing skills and a fast typing speed. This way, you can complete more tasks in a faster time period, and earn a higher hourly pay.
- Good listening skills. It’s important to accurately hear and interpret audio recordings. Transcribing often involves listening to the same audio multiple times to make sure you are typing the correct words.
- Good grammar, spelling, and punctuation. These are important for writing high-quality transcriptions.
By working on these skills and gaining experience as an online transcriptionist, you can start a successful career and work from home.
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The different types of transcription Jobs
In this section, we will discuss three main types of freelance transcription jobs: General Transcription, Medical Transcription, and Legal Transcription.
- General Transcription Jobs – General transcription involves converting audio files into written text. This type of transcription job covers a wide range of industries, including business, media, and education. As a general transcriptionist, you may be transcribing interviews, podcasts, videos, TV shows, and more. Since general transcription doesn’t require specialized knowledge or certifications, it can be a great way for beginners to get started.
- Medical Transcription Jobs – Medical transcriptionists work with medical audio files, like doctors’ voice notes and patient records. It’s important to understand medical terminology because you handle patient health records and other medical documents. Becoming a medical transcriptionist might require extra training or certification. While general transcription is more in demand, medical transcription can offer slightly higher pay.
- Legal Transcription Jobs – Legal transcription is when you are transcribing legal proceedings, such as court hearings, depositions, and administrative meetings. As a legal transcriptionist, you will need to understand legal terms. Similar with medical transcription, you may need extra training or certifications to get started with legal transcription jobs.
As you can see, each type of transcription job is a little different. Currently, general transcription seems to be the most in-demand.
How much money can a beginner online transcriptionist make?
Okay, so after reading all of the above, you are probably wondering how much money you can make as a beginner online transcriptionist.
As a beginner transcriptionist, you can make your schedule where you choose your own hours, work from home, and earn a part-time or full-time income.
As a beginner, your earnings will vary depending on factors such as the company you work for and your typing speed. The typical pay rate is $15 to $30 per hour (yes, this is a wide range!), but the actual amount you earn per hour may be lower as transcription jobs usually pay per audio hour (an audio hour is how long the audio file is). So, the better your listening and typing skills, then the more money you can probably make because you will be faster at finishing your transcription assignments. You won’t get rich from transcription jobs, but you can make an income from home and choose your work weeks.
Medical transcriptionists often earn higher rates compared to general transcriptionists. However, it’s important to know that a medical transcriptionist job may require additional training and certification, and it’s also not as in-demand anymore as other types of transcription jobs these days.
Many of the sites listed below do give out bonuses as well, which can increase your pay. For example, you may get a bonus for meeting fast or strict deadlines (some sites offer same day turnarounds to their clients, and then they will pay more for these quick jobs).
The payment method for online transcription jobs will vary. They may pay via check, direct deposit, or PayPal.
Best online transcription jobs for beginners
1. Rev – A popular option for finding beginner transcription jobs
Rev is known as one of the best transcription jobs sites.
Rev has a user-friendly site for transcriptionists at all levels – from beginner transcription jobs to advanced transcription jobs. They also have an easy application process that will help you to start working right away. They have competitive pay rates and a variety of different jobs for you to choose from, Rev has become a popular option for people looking to work in transcription.
The top monthly earnings on this site are over $1,400 per month, with average earnings of around $245 per month. You get paid weekly via PayPal.
To get started on this site, you simply sign up, take a quiz to show that you can do the work, and submit a transcript example. If you’re approved, you can then choose from available transcription jobs right away. You can work as much or as little as you want as the site is fine with whichever you choose.
2. TranscribeMe
TranscribeMe is a great choice for beginners as they provide training and only require a reliable internet connection and computer. With average monthly earnings of $250 and top earners making over $2,000 per month, TranscribeMe makes it easy for you to get started.
Beginner general transcribers on TranscribeMe start at $15 USD per audio hour (referring to the length of audio, not the time spent). For instance, a 2-minute file pays $0.50, and a 4-minute file pays $1.00.
TranscribeMe also has special teams that you can join where you can earn more money and get more work, such as with their accent teams and medical teams. Specialty teams pay around $60 to $70 per audio hour.
With this website, you are transcribing short 2-4 minute audio clips. When you have finished one clip, this site then sends you another to transcribe. You can transcribe as many as you want and do this part-time or full-time. They do require that you submit at least one job per month.
To get started as a new transcriptionist on this site, you simply create an account, connect your PayPal, and take an entrance exam. Once you pass the exam, your account will be activated.
3. Crowdsurf
Crowdsurf offers short transcription tasks, perfect for those looking for quick, manageable projects. Crowdsurf looks for freelancers to provide video captions for the deaf and hard of hearing.
They pay per task, so you can sign up for as many as you want and make more money. You simply start with basic transcription jobs, then you can earn promotions to better-paying tasks.
To start finding transcription jobs, simply sign up, create an account, complete a quick skills assessment exam, and choose the transcription jobs you want.
4. Quicktate
Quicktate focuses on transcribing a variety of content, including memos, voicemail messages, conference calls, letters, legal files, medical files, recordings of phone calls, and other audio files.
The audio clips you may be transcribing may be just a minute or two (such as a voicemail), or they may be hours long (such as a conference call).
They have a simple application process and offer flexible work opportunities for both beginners and experienced transcriptionists.
They also audit, summarize, and analyze audio recordings and phone conversations.
Quicktate’s general transcription jobs pay 0.0025 per word (this is equal to 1 cent for every 4 words you transcribe). They pay via PayPal weekly (but, there is a 2-3 week delay from when you start typing to when you receive your first payment).
5. SpeakWrite
SpeakWrite is involved in the fields of legal, government, law enforcement, insurance, private sectors, and more. SpeakWrite is currently hiring remote transcriptionists in the legal, general, and Spanish transcription areas.
This site pays $450 on average each month. With some transcriptionists making up to $3,400. They do require that you work at least 15 scheduled hours per month.
You will be given access to a transcription work schedule 3 weeks in advance. You get to choose the hours you want to work. If you want to be able to work shifts sooner than that, you can simply log in and select the hours you want to work. When you log in for your shift, the system will automatically assign you transcription jobs until the end of your shift.
This is open to residents in the U.S. and Canada.
6. Indeed
Indeed is an online job search platform that also features a wide range of transcription jobs. You can search for entry-level transcription positions (as well as advanced jobs), depending on your experience and interests.
I did a quick search for online transcription jobs on Indeed and I found hundreds of transcription jobs, ranging from legal transcription, medical transcription, translation transcription, general transcription, and more. When I was browsing, I found there were many job listings to choose from – from jobs that may only take an hour to do and others that were weeks-long projects.
7. Fiverr – Make your own transcription gig listing
Fiverr is a site where you can create your own transcription gig listings and set your own rates. This site is good for freelancers looking to build their portfolios and find new clients. So, if you want to find your own clients, this can be a way for you to start your own transcription business.
The downside is that the rate you can ask for on Fiverr is typically on the low end, and this is because there is so much competition. There are literally thousands of transcribers who have listings on this site, which can make it hard for you to stand out amongst all of the competitors. It can also be hard for potential clients to find your listing, so you may have to do some outside marketing to get more views.
8. Tigerfish
Tigerfish has been in the transcription industry since 1989, and has jobs for both beginners and professionals. They accept applicants with good typing skills and those who are U.S. citizens or residents.
They also require that you have a Windows-based computer and a free copy of Express Scribe transcription software.
Tigerfish pays around $8.00 to $15.00 per hour.
9. Scribie
Scribie offers transcription jobs for various content types, including interviews, podcasts, and webinars. They have a simple application process too.
They pay approximately $5 to $20 per audio hour. Beginner transcriptionists typically earn around $400 per month on this website, while advanced transcriptionists can earn around $1,600 a month.
This site has been in business since 2008 and they have paid out over $4,000,000 to transcribers.
10. GMR Transcription
GMR Transcription specializes in a variety of transcription services, offering opportunities for skilled transcriptionists. They typically prefer applicants who can commit to transcribing at least four hours per week.
Transcriptionists on this site earn around $1,000 to $3,000 per month, on average. They currently have job openings for general transcriptionists, Spanish transcriptionists, and translators.
They have a lot of work available, so you can work as much as you want.
11. Daily Transcription
Daily Transcription provides jobs for transcriptionists with at least 60 WPM (words per minute) typing speed and good grammar. They offer competitive pay rates and interesting projects spanning various industries.
They require that you live in either the U.S.A., Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom, Canada, or New Zealand, and that you can speak and write in American English.
Transcribers on this site can earn around $350 to $1,250 per week.
They are currently hiring transcriptionists, captioners, and Spanish transcriptionists.
12. CastingWords
CastingWords is a transcription company offering flexible work for entry-level transcriptionists and experienced transcriptionists. This platform values quality and accuracy and offers a helpful guide for new transcriptionists to get started.
CastingWords hires freelancers who want to get paid to complete short transcriptionist jobs online. You can work as little or as much as you can.
You can work from any country that can receive PayPal Mass Payments (this is available in nearly every single country around the world).
This site pays between 8.5 cents and slightly over $1.00 per audio minute. The amount you are paid is based on the type of transcription work you do, your skill level, and the grade you earn.
13. BabbleType
BabbleType offers transcription jobs for market research and specializes in interview transcription services.
This site only accepts transcriptionists who are current or past long-term residents of the United States (they do not accept transcribers in the state of California, though), Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand.
They are looking for people to fill online transcription jobs who can work around 15-20 hours per week.
BabbleType pays around $27 to $36 per hour of audio transcribed.
14. Appen
Appen offers transcription jobs as part of its wide range of services.
The audio files you may be transcribing for Appen include interviews, phone calls, academic presentations, lectures, and more. According to Appen, this data is then used to build “state-of-the-art AI-powered machine models.”
15. UpWork
UpWork is a freelancing site that allows you to find and apply for online transcription jobs. You will have to send proposals to potential clients (with possibly a cover letter and resume), and they will either approve you or reject you for the task.
I found 263 transcription jobs listed on this site, including one-time gigs, part-time positions, and full-time jobs.
16. 3Play Media
3Play Media is a website that provides audio description, live captioning, closed captioning, transcription, translation, and other services. Clients hop on this site and ask for their audio or video to be transcribed, and then 3Play Media assigns the tasks to you to be transcribed.
They are currently looking for English transcriptionists and Spanish transcriptionists.
17. GoTranscript
GoTranscript is a translation and transcription site that has transcription jobs available worldwide. The languages that this site works in include: Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, German, Korean, and many more.
They pay up to $0.60 per audio or video minute, with an average monthly earning around $150. The highest monthly earnings on this site reach approximately $1,200.
You can work as much or as little as you want (they have many transcription jobs listed on their website, so you can take as many tasks as you want), and get paid weekly via PayPal. So, if you want to work full-time one week, but part-time another, this can be a great site to sign up for.
All you need is a computer and an internet connection to complete transcription jobs on this site.
18. Transcript Divas
Transcript Divas is a UK-based transcription site that is looking for intermediate and advanced transcriptionists in the UK.
They pay around £0.87 per minute of audio recording, with the highest rate at £2.86 per minute and the lowest at £0.59 per minute. Pay varies on factors such as how fast the turnaround time was and the type of project.
Payment on this site differs from traditional methods. You will need to submit an invoice to Transcript Divas detailing your completed projects. Then, around 14 days later, you will receive payment.
19. Audio Transcription Center
Audio Transcription Center is a transcription company in the U.S. that is used by academic institutions, government agencies, oral historians, foundations, and more. It was started in 1966, so it has been around for a long time.
With this company, you may be transcribing history interviews, such as with WWII veterans, focus groups, financial forecasts, commencement addresses, and more.
They require that you type at least 80 words per minute with a minimum accuracy of 98%. This site also mandates that you are a U.S. resident.
Audio Transcription Center pays around $15 to $18 per hour, depending on the client and project.
How to become an online transcriptionist
To become an online transcriptionist, here’s a step-by-step guide to start your career:
- Research different platforms: There are many sites where you can find transcription jobs for beginners, like TranscribeMe, Rev, GoTranscript, and Scribie. Each platform has its own rules and processes, so I recommend heading to their website and reading their application rules.
- Create an account: Register on the site you’re interested in and complete your profile.
- Take a skills assessment test Most sites require you to pass a transcription test or an entrance exam, which usually involves transcribing a short audio clip. You are then given a grade.
- Get hired: Get hired, start transcribing audio clips, and get paid!
As you can see, it’s easy to get started as an online transcriptionist and find the best transcription jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to find the best transcription jobs for beginners.
What equipment do you need to transcribe?
You don’t need much to transcribe audio clips.
A computer with Microsoft Word is what you need to get started with transcription work. It could be a desktop computer or laptop. High-speed internet is also important, as you’ll often need to download audio files and upload the transcriptions you complete.
Also, having headphones can help you hear the audio you’re transcribing more clearly. Your headphones should also be comfortable for extended use (because you will be wearing them for hours!).
Lastly, once you’ve become a transcriptionist, you might want to get a foot pedal. A foot pedal lets you control audio playback with your foot, freeing up your hands to type quickly and accurately. While it’s not a must-have for online transcription jobs, buying a foot pedal can help you to save time.
What are the pros and cons of transcribing?
Transcribing can be a great way to work from home, but it’s important to know both the advantages and disadvantages.
Being an online transcriptionist comes with its perks. You get to set your own work hours, whether it’s from the comfort of your home or while you’re on the go. Plus, you have the freedom to pick the assignments you want to work on. For me, I absolutely love being able to work from home and choose the kind of work that I want to work on.
However, it’s important to be aware of the potential downsides too. In the beginning, as you’re improving your transcription skills, the pay might not be very high because you are not as fast at hearing and typing. Also, since you’re typically working as an independent contractor, you most likely won’t get employee benefits such as health insurance or paid time off.
Is it worth taking a transcribing job course?
So, you’re probably wondering, should you invest in a transcription course if you’re looking for beginner transcription gigs?
Well, this is a common question, and I totally get why you’re asking it!
Taking a transcription course can be a great idea for many people. These courses can teach you the skills you need to start your career, like fast and accurate typing, and how to use various transcription software. They can even connect you with transcription jobs and get you started faster.
But, if you’re a fast learner with excellent grammar and typing skills, you might be able to find beginner transcription jobs without spending money on a course. Plus, there are plenty of free resources online, like tutorials and practice exams, to help you learn the basics.
However, for higher-paying specialized transcription roles, such as legal or medical transcription, a course is often a must.
Which transcribing course is best?
Transcribe Anywhere is a popular online transcription course, offering both general transcription training and a legal transcription course. Click here to check out Transcribe Anywhere. There is also a free intro course, so you can decide if it’s for you before you pay for a whole transcription course.
Recommended reading: Transcribe Anywhere Review: Is This Course Worth It?
Is transcription a high-demand job? Is there a high demand for transcription jobs?
If you’re new to transcription jobs, you might be wondering if there’s a lot of demand for them. Yes, there is a need for transcription services and it has been increasing!
Because digital content is becoming more and more popular, industries like media, healthcare, legal, and education need transcription services a lot these days. Podcasters, video producers, and groups holding conferences all need their spoken content turned into text. This helps with things like making content accessible, improving SEO, and keeping records.
There are also many opportunities in general transcription jobs. Working as a freelancer or remotely has become quite popular, as businesses from different fields need transcriptionists for tasks like meetings and interviews.
How do I become a transcriptionist with no experience?
To become a transcriptionist with no experience, you can get started by joining beginner-friendly sites like TranscribeMe and Rev. For many of the transcription job sites in this article, you may also have to provide a transcription sample, whether you have prior experience or not. For some sites above, you may need to include a cover letter with a resume, but some may have a set application with an entrance exam for you to take. So, yes, you can get started even if you are brand new to transcription.
How much do beginner transcribers make? What is the average pay for a transcriber?
The pay for online transcriptionists can vary quite a bit depending on several factors, especially whether you’re looking for full-time or part-time transcription jobs from home. On average, online transcriptionists typically earn around $15 to $30 per hour. Now, if you’re just starting out as a beginner, you might find yourself on the lower end of that range. This is because, at the beginning, your typing speed might not be as fast, and it might take you a bit longer to transcribe audio accurately. So, I recommend checking out the different options I mentioned above and maybe sign up for a few different sites that offer remote transcription work.
How do you start transcription for beginners?
To learn transcription for beginners, first, improve your typing speed and accuracy. Next, learn about different transcription guidelines and formats. Then, join an online transcription platform or apply for transcription jobs from home to gain experience.
What is the easiest transcription company to work for?
TranscribeMe is one of the easiest transcription companies to work for, as they are beginner-friendly and require only a reliable internet connection and computer. There are many other options, as listed above.
How long does it take to transcribe 1 hour of audio?
The average time to transcribe 1 hour of audio is between 3 to 6 hours, depending on factors like audio quality, speaker accents, and transcriptionist speed and accuracy. As you become more experienced as a transcriptionist, it will typically take you less time to transcribe audio clips.
Which is better Rev or TranscribeMe?
Both Rev and TranscribeMe have their pros and cons. Rev typically offers higher pay rates but may have stricter quality standards, while TranscribeMe is more beginner-friendly and provides extensive training. You can try both sites to see which one you like more.
Which is the highest-paying transcription site?
While rates can vary, some of the highest-paying transcription sites include 3Play Media and Scribie.
Are there any transcription jobs that can be done on mobile phones?
While many transcription jobs are done on computers for accuracy and convenience, some companies, like GoTranscript, have created mobile apps. This app lets transcribers work on specific projects using their cell phones.
Related: 28 Ways To Get Paid To Text
Can I make a living as a transcriber?
Yes, you can definitely earn a living as a transcriber. If you’re a fast typist, can work quickly, and handle different types of transcription projects, this may be a good work from home job to look into. To increase your earnings, you may want to sign up for more than one of the transcription sites mentioned above in order to get the most projects sent your way.
What is transcribing?
As a recap of everything we talked about in this article, transcribing is the process of converting spoken words from audio or video files into written text. As a transcriptionist, your job will involve carefully listening to recordings, which may include clips from interviews, conferences, voicemails, or other audio clips, and accurately typing out everything that’s being said.
Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best transcription jobs for beginners. If you are looking to work from home, this may be just the job for you.
Remote transcription jobs are in demand and there are many industries that need transcriptions. Podcasters, virtual event hosts, healthcare professionals, and more need transcriptions for SEO, and records. Transcriptions can also be a useful tool for providing accessibility, such as creating captions for video content to ensure it is available to all viewers, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
As a freelance transcriber, many jobs are done as an independent contractor, which means that you are your own boss and are self-employed. There are also many part-time and full-time positions as an employee that you may find as well.
For a new transcription job, you may be asked to pass a skills assessment test or an entrance exam, which includes transcribing short audio clips.
The income you can make as a beginner online transcriptionist varies widely, from around $15 to $30 an hour.
If you want to get started and find beginner transcription jobs, then I recommend taking a course. You can check out free resources and start putting your abilities to work immediately! A great free resource to take is FREE Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? You’ll learn what transcription is and why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, what it takes to find entry-level transcription jobs, and more.
Are you looking for online transcription jobs for beginners?