26 Best Transcription Jobs For Beginners That Pays Up to $60 per hour

(Let’s talk about the best transcription jobs. What if you can make a good income transcribing audio files just sitting at home with little or no experience?)

You don’t have to be a professional to get the best transcription jobs that pay you good money.

As the demand for content has grown, so need for transcriptionists to transcribe audio recordings. There will be a 60% increase in the market for transcription services by 2023.

Getting a transcription job might be your answer if you want to become the go-to person in your field and earn good money. After all, who doesn’t need transcripts of their voice or music recordings?

According to salary.com, a transcriptionist in the United States makes an average of $50,000 a year.

With this in mind, let’s dive through the list of the best online transcription jobs that can be a good fit for you. (Stay to the end to learn how to start your own transcription business and find high-paying clients.)

The Best Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners [No Experience]

1. GMR Transcription

• Pay Rate: $0.7-$1.25 Per Audio Minute

• Payment Method: Paypal (Monthly) Or Bank Transfer

• Job Availability: High

• Countries Accepted: USA and Canada Only

• Requirements: Foot Pedal

GMR transcription is a US-based company that pays transcriptionists a decent amount. They accept transcriptionists from the US and Canada only. They ensure the finest service to their clients, so they only get the best transcriptionist.

They have favorable ratings of over 4.2 out of 5. They provide a flexible environment for transcriptionists to work from home. They also provide necessary training and guidelines for beginners.

They’re very strict with their guidelines. So, I recommend reading their instructions before you apply.

You need to pass their test to work with them. They provide two-hour-long audio files for you, which are hard to transcribe. Once you pass the test, you can start working.

You can make $60+ per audio hour working for GMR transcription.

Let’s say that the job pays you $1 per audio minute. On average, it takes 2 to 6 minutes to transcribe an audio minute.

If you take 3 minutes to transcribe 1 audio minute, you can easily make $20 an hour.

What I Like:

• Lots of positive reviews.
• Pay is fair.
• A good working environment for beginners.

What I Don’t Like:

• Quite challenging to qualify.
• The application process is complex.
• Accept people from the USA only.

Helpful Review

“I’m Shannon working for GMR; there is a stage three snow emergency outside but I don’t have to worry about commuting to and from the office – I can make myself a cup of tea, slip my slippers on, and sit down at my computer to work from home, which I love.

GMR has lots of benefits like plenty of work assignments to pick and choose from, fast turnarounds or longer times to complete the work, and dedicated staff ready to help me resolve any issues.

On top of that I get paid on time directly into my bank account and have no issues with payroll. Before I started, I did see some concerning things online about GMR but I have found them all to be false – the staff is great, the work is plentiful, and I passed the test which was not hard.

If I have problems with the audio or files, the staff will always help me resolve it; not just for me to produce the best transcripts I can, but also to keep the clients happy on the other end. I need to keep GMR happy by fulfilling my obligations, while not taking on more work than I can handle. I also want to be proud of my work, my reputation, and my association with GMR, which remains a great company to work for, despite what you may find online; for those who did not pass the test, brush up on your skills and try again.”- Shannon

Read full GMR Transcription Review here.

2. TranscribeMe

• Pay Rate: $15-$22 Per Audio Hour

• Payment Method: PayPal (Anytime)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

TranscribeMe is a flexible company that has no strict requirements to work.

They are perfect for beginners as they don’t require 95% or 100% accuracy (more than 70% can be considered) at your work, like GMR transcription.

Once you apply, you’ll get videos that provide training on how you can use their system to transcribe the audio files. Then, you need to take their exam.

They review your accuracy and decide whether to select or not. Once you’ve chosen, you can work with them.

What I Like:

• Positive rating with over 4 out of 5.
• Great support team.
• Provide a good learning experience for beginners.

What I Don’t Like:

• Their setup isn’t beginner-friendly.
• Low hourly wage.

Helpful Review

“I’m from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa and I live in Renberg, South Africa. I was laid off from work around this time last year and my work took up most of my time. I was looking for something that would allow me more flexibility with my time.

I submitted my very first file on the 16th of July, so that would make it over 10 months now that I’ve been with TranscribeMe. I’m on the First Draft team. I’ve loved every second of it, it’s been really great. One thing I do love most about TranscribeMe is how much people are willing to help out.

My day starts out the usual way – shower, cup of coffee – and I take my station and wait for work. If there’s work, I work as long as there’s work available. Having control of my time is a big thing for me – I love to work when I want to work and not work when I don’t feel like working. I hate micromanagement and with TranscribeMe, the more effort I put in is what I get out.

We had this invitation where we were given the opportunity to work on full verbatim files with a very good pay rate. I tried out the probation, passed it, and enjoyed the files. Working from home with TranscribeMe gels well with my family life because I have more command of my time – I don’t have to worry about traffic and can spend time with family and go to appointments when needed.

Yes, I definitely love working for TranscribeMe and will continue working here. I’m going to take more exams as time passes which opens up opportunity to higher pay rates and more work availability, so I definitely see myself continuing to work for them.

Some tips: Read and apply Yammer threads, know the style guides, use snippets to speed up workflow, and be honest in transcriptions to meet client expectations. Those are the most helpful things.”- Lady from Congo

Read full TranscribeMe Review here.

3. Casting Words

• Pay Rate: $0.85-$1.00 Per Audio Minute

• Payment Method: Paypal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: High

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

Casting Words is one of the reputed companies in the transcription industry that accepts both professional and inexperienced transcriptionists.

They provide one of the best quality transcription services to their clients. So, they are strict and only take the best transcriptionist.

You can apply for them by visiting their website. To work with them, you need to pass their test exam.

What I Like:

• Lots of jobs are available.
• Great support team.
• Provide a good learning experience

What I Don’t Like:

• Their setup isn’t beginner-friendly.

Helpful Review

“Pros

CastingWords is a uniquely designed platform providing flexibility and allowing for initiative and planning. After many years of experience, I feel like I’m in a group of friends.

Admin and support are always willing to help and encourage us, communication is really efficient, and they never-ever miss a payment. There’s a great, very active FB group where admin, support, and workers talk shop, often with a personal touch, and find answers or contribute to job issues. It’s true, not all jobs are available for everyone from the start.

CastingWords targets perfection, and so it takes long hours, a lot of hard and consistent work, and thorough research to be able to rank up the badge system that gives you full access to audios.

Makes sense, though, as CastingWords doesn’t require any credentials concerning qualifications, and you also definitely need time to master the comprehensive CW Style Guide to be able comply with the settings — the latter goes for all transcription companies. For me, it has become an exciting, addictive, and challenging adventure.

Cons

First-come first-served basis, the customers upload and workers pick. It’s definitely a fair system, but it’s a bit of an issue for non-US workers and different time zones.

However, it is one of the components that make this platform an amazing experience — no strings attached, you work whenever. Of course, you cannot expect to make a living like that; also, there are times like when Unis or educational centers are closed, for example, or when there’s US national celebrations when things can get really slow just because the customers upload way less then.”- Source

4. GoTranscript

• Pay Rate: $0.6 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal Or Payoneer (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

Go transcript is best for beginner transcriptionists because they don’t have strict requirements.

They accept transcriptionists worldwide, where professional transcriptionists make up to $1215 a month.

After you apply, You need to take their test exam. Once you get accepted, you can work with them.

What I Like:

Beginner-friendly.

Very easy to join.

What I Don’t Like:

Pay is low.

Their policy is strict.

Read Complete GoTranscript Review Here.

Helpful Review

“Pros

I’ve been working in Go Transcript for about 7 months now. The first month, I worked as a transcriber but after that, I applied to be an editor and got accepted. When it’s not the low season, there’s usually ~1000 jobs to transcribe, and even in the low season, there’s still some jobs that pop up here and there.

As a transcriber, I can say that editors are quite lenient to any mistakes that you make, but as an editor, the reviewer are really harsh. The rate is pretty okay (in my country’s standards, anyway). It’s nowhere near what people in the US or UK would make in a standard job, but in my country, it’s really good.

It depends on where you’re from. I usually average about $100 a week, if it’s a good week. The highest I ever got was $150, but I’ve gotten some pretty low income weeks as well. The good thing is you can work any time you want and however much you want.

There is no minimum or maximum quota. As long as you have good internet connection and an okay device (laptop, tablet, etc), then you’re good to go. Just be sure to read and re-read the guidelines over and over again, as the entrance test is pretty hard.

Cons

As I said, if you decide to become an editor, you will face really harsh remarks from reviewers. 5 corrections from a 40 minute file will get you a rating of 3 (out of 5 stars). If you get an average rating below 4.5 (even as a transcriber), you will start getting wait times and you’ll have to wait a certain amount of time to pick up jobs when they are posted.

Those with higher ratings can pick them up as soon as they appear in the jobs board. Also, their support team for transcribers aren’t that helpful. Many times, I’ve asked a question and they either don’t give a relevant answer or they re-direct me to an unofficial facebook page. I stopped asking for their help after a while and just go straight to the facebook page.”- Source

5. Daily Transcription

• Pay Rate: $0.75-$0.85 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Check (Weekly)

• Job Availability: High

• Countries Accepted: USA and Canada

• Requirements: At least 50 wpm (word per minute)

Daily transcription is also a US-based company that only hires the best transcriptionist. You must have a typing speed of at least 50 words per minute to get accepted.

They have strict requirements and guidelines, making it difficult for beginners to get accepted. They also don’t acknowledge PayPal as their payment gateway.

You can apply them via their website. Like others, you need to pass their test exam to get accepted.

What I Like:

Job availability is high.

Decent pay rate.

What I Don’t Like:

Poor customer service.

Payment is via check only.

Helpful Review

“Pros

I am a stay at home mom and have been working with DT for almost 7 years. I think this is a great company to work with. I have always found the staff to be extremely accommodating and helpful with any questions/issues I may have had.

I love the ease of signing up for work on the schedule and the ability it gives me to earn money from home while fitting it into my crazy hectic schedule. I like the fact that I can always increase my earnings by signing up for more work.

Additionally, over the years, I have received assignments and then had personal issues come up and been unable to accept the assignment. The staff has ALWAYS worked with me and shown compassion and understanding for my situation. I would highly recommend them for anyone wanting to work from home.

Cons

For me personally there aren’t any cons. However, if you are not a self-starter and motivated person, this may not be the right fit for you.

Advice to Management

Keep up the good work! My one suggestion might be that if/when you update the Transcriber Guide, it would be helpful for you to make us aware that you have done so.”- Source

6. Rev

• Pay Rate: $0.30-$1.10 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: High

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

Rev is one of the most popular transcription industries, with more than 1,00,000 customers.

As a transcriptionist, you can earn $240 per month on average, which is quite a decent side hustle.

You need to pass their test exam to get accepted. What I like most about rev is that you needn’t worry about the availability of projects and have the freedom to choose the right job.

What I Like:

Flexible schedule for beginners.

Relatively good pay if you’re fluent in multiple languages.

What I Don’t Like:

Work is not consistent.

Poor customer support.

Helpful Review

“I am thoroughly pleased working with your company!!!! As a stay-at-home mom, I have been looking for a long time for a legitimate part-time job at home to earn some extra money, occupy my brain, and stay “fresh” in the workplace.

I am relatively new to the transcription industry and I was so excited to get a contract with your company. The feedback I have received has allowed me to improve my skills tremendously.

The flexibility and your ample turn-around time works perfectly with my family. I also think your support is very prompt, friendly, and understanding to work with if I’ve ever had an issue. I appreciate your prompt and easy PayPal payments, and I think your pay rates are reasonable per job.

I am so excited to continue to work with your company in the future and I hope things for Rev continue to ramp up and do well! I love the fact that there are always many projects to choose from. Many, many thanks for the opportunity your company has given me.”- Tiffany

Learn more about Rev Review.

7. CrowdSurf

• Pay Rate: $0.03-$0.20 per audio minute with daily bonuses

• Payment Method: Paypal, WM Visa card, Bank Transfer

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

CrowdSurf provides easy and exciting audio files for you to transcribe. Though they have a flexible payment method, I don’t recommend them because they have a low pay rate and low job availability.

Their signup process is easy. Once you pass their test, you can connect with them.

What I Like:

Very easy to join for beginners.

Great customer service.

Varieties of work available.

What I Don’t Like:

Limited job opportunities.

Pay is low.

8. Verbal Ink (Now Ubiqus On Demand)

• Pay Rate: $0.85 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal or Bank Transfer (Monthly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: USA Only

• Requirements: No

Verbal Ink hires transcriptionists to transcribe the audio recording of academic institutions and public and private firms. Their pay rate is fair, but they only accept transcriptionists from the US.

Like most transcription companies, you must pass their test exam to get accepted. After you get taken, you can work flexibly with them.

What I Like:

It is efficient, reliable, and accurate.

Great customer service.

Positive customer rating.

What I Don’t Like:

Limited job opportunities.

9. Scribie

• Pay Rate: $10 per audio hour

• Payment Method: Paypal

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

Scribie is a reputed transcription company based in the US that provides the best transcription service to its clients.

At Scribie, you can earn anywhere from $150-$300 a month on average as a beginner.

Your transcription work should be accurate to pass your test exam. They have a relatively low pay rate but provide a variety of bonuses and promotions.

What I Like:

Provide bonuses and promotions.

Great customer service.

What I Don’t Like:

They have low ratings.

Pay is low.

Learn More About Scribie Review.

10. 3Play Media

• Pay Rate: $10-$30 per working hour

• Payment Method: Direct deposit or check (Monthly)

• Job Availability: Low

• Countries Accepted: USA only

• Requirements: At least 75 wpm

3play Media hires both English and Spanish transcriptionists, where you can make $10-$30 per working hour.

But the bad thing is they only accept US applicants and require a typing speed of at least 75 words per minute.

After accepting your application, you must pass multiple tests to work with them.

What I Like:

Interesting files to transcribe.

Provide good guidelines for beginners.

Great customer service.

What I Don’t Like:

Limited job opportunities.

They have strict rules to follow.

11. Tigerfish

• Pay Rate: Minimum of $0.005 per word

• Payment Method: Paypal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: USA only

• Requirements: No

You can earn around $10 per hour working on Tigerfish, but you need to spend $200 to start with them. Though they pay via PayPal weekly, you can only work from countries within the US.

After you pass their test exam, you need to purchase their software which costs $200, and then you can start transcribing the audio files.

What I Like:

The application process is easy and convenient.

Provide suitable training for beginners.

Great customer support.

What I Don’t Like:

Transparency isn’t clear.

Require $200 upfront cost for the software.

12. Transcript Divas

• Pay Rate: $0.84-$2.98 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal or bank transfer (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: US or UK

• Requirements: No

Transcript Divas have been in the transcription business for around eight years, focusing on providing their clients with the best and most accurate transcription services.

One thing that I like most about Transcript Divas is their payment rate and method. As a beginner, you can earn a whopping $0.84-$2.98 per audio minute and get paid straight to your Paypal.

Their application process is complex. Once you pass their test exam, you will be scheduled for an interview.

After you are selected, you can start working with them. You must transcribe at least two audio hours per week.

What I Like:

Pay is high.

Overall, customer feedback is positive.

Great customer support.

What I Don’t Like:

Job availability is limited.

It isn’t popular.

13. Audio Transcription Center

• Pay Rate: $60 and $150 per audio hour for English and foreign language, respectively

• Payment Method: Check (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: At least 75 wpm

Audio Transcription Center is one of the oldest and most reputed transcription companies in the US that is trusted by renowned academic institutions like Harvard, MIT, etc.

They provide the best customer support for freelancers working with them. They offer an excellent pay rate for beginners.

But they require a typing speed of at least 75 words per minute.

You don’t need to take their test exam. However, you must achieve a typing speed of 75 wpm with 98% accuracy and send this result in the form of a screenshot or any other means via their email.

What I Like:

Pay is high.

Positive reviews with over 4.5 ratings.

It is user-friendly and has good customer support.

What I Don’t Like:

Limited job is available for beginners.

14. SpeechPad

• Pay Rate: $0.3-$1.00 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal (Every Tuesday and Friday)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

SpeechPad is located in California, US, and accepts transcriptionists globally. They provide an effective environment for the beginner transcriptionist to work from home.

Overall, they have the best customer reviews and provide the best services to their clients. They also offer lots of bonuses to transcriptionist like you.

You need to pass their test exam with high accuracy to get accepted. You can earn anywhere from $200-400 on average working with them as a side hustle.

What I Like:

Lots of positive reviews with over 4.2 ratings by customers.

Bonuses are available.

Payment via PayPal twice a week.

What I Don’t Like:

Limited job opportunities for beginners.

Pay is relatively low, especially for newbies.

15. FF Transcription

• Pay Rate: $0.40 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Check or Direct deposit (Twice a month))

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: USA only

• Requirements: No

As a beginner transcriptionist, you can earn around $24 per audio hour on average working at Focus Forward Transcription company.

Still, the experienced transcriptionist earns up to $60 per audio hour.

They are in the transcription business for about 18 years but appoint the US transcriptionist only. They have a high reputation in the transcription business.

Their application process is pretty straightforward. After you apply to them, you need to pass their test exam to get accepted.

You must transcribe at least 4 audio hours per week to work constantly with them.

What I Like:

Lots of positive reviews with over 4.0 ratings by customers.

Hires both English and Spanish language transcriptionist.

What I Don’t Like:

Limited job opportunities for beginners.

Payment isn’t via PayPal.

16. Averbach Transcription

• Pay Rate: $1.00-$1.50 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

Averbach is one of the highest-paying companies in the transcription business. You can earn at least $1 per audio minute working with them.

The application process is quite tricky. After you apply, you need to take the test where you need to transcribe 5 audio minute files in 20 minutes with high accuracy.

You might also need transcription software like Scribe to work with them.

What I Like:

Excellent reputation within the industry.

Fair pay.

Good customer service.

What I Don’t Like:

Not enough guidelines for beginners.

Job opportunity is limited.

17. Terescription

• Pay Rate: $0.07 per line transcribed

• Payment Method: Check (Twice a month)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: US Only

• Requirements: No

Terescription is a transcription company that pays $0.07 per line transcribed which is not fair. They have an easy job, but they only accept US applicants only.

I don’t recommend this company because the pay is low and unfair. Once you pass their test exam, you can work with them.

What I Like:

Easy job to do.

Payment is via check only.

Good customer service.

What I Don’t Like:

Pay is low.

No background information about the company on its website.

18. Babble Type

• Pay Rate: $0.45 per audio minute

• Payment Method: PayPal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: US Only

• Requirements: No

Babble Type provides reliable and flexible transcription jobs. You can get paid via PayPal weekly but they accept US applicants only.

You can earn around $150-$250 working on Babble Type as a side job as a beginner. They are strict but you can get a chance to make corrections.

After applying, you must pass their test and get accepted to work as a transcriptionist.

What I Like:

Flexible work schedule.

You can get the opportunity to make corrections if there is an issue with your work.

Good customer service.

What I Don’t Like:

Not user-friendly for beginners.

Pay is relatively low.

19. Transcription outsourcing LLC

• Pay Rate: $0.80-$1.10 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Paypal (Monthly)

• Job Availability: High

• Countries Accepted: US Only

• Requirements: No

Transcription outsourcing LLC is perfect for beginner transcriptionists because their pay rate is pretty high and have lots of positive responses from freelancers. But they only accept US applicants.

The signup process is easy. Once you apply, you must pass their high-accuracy test to work with them.

What I Like:

Positive reviews and ratings from customers.

Good customer service.

The application process is easy.

Pay is quite fair.

What I Don’t Like:

Available for US citizens only.

20. Quicktate

• Pay Rate: $0.0025 per word transcribed

• Payment Method: Paypal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: No

Quicktate especially hires general transcriptionists worldwide. They are a reputed transcription company with lots of positive ratings.

You can earn around $150-$200 per month as a beginner transcriptionist at Quicktate.

You need to take their typing test and quiz to get approved. Once you get approved, you can confidently work with them.

What I Like:

Positive ratings with over 4 out of 5 from customers.

Good customer service.

It is a well-established transcription agency.

What I Don’t Like:

Pay is low.

Limited job available.

21. Ubiqus

• Pay Rate: $0.007 per word transcribed

• Payment Method: PayPal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: Typing speed of 70 words/minute

Uniqus is the fourth largest transcription company in Europe. They have excellent ratings of 4.7 on Trustpilot.

You can make $0.007 per word of transcription which I think is low. To make $7, you need to transcribe 1000 words.

You need to pass their test exam to get accepted. You also need to have a typing speed of at least 70 words per minute.

What I Like:

It is efficient, reliable, and accurate.

Great customer service.

Has excellent customer ratings.

What I Don’t Like:

Require typing speed of at least 75 words per minute.

The pay rate is low.

22. Cyber Dictate

• Pay Rate: $0.005 per word transcribed

• Payment Method: PayPal (Weekly)

• Job Availability: High

• Countries Accepted: US Only

• Requirements: Typing speed of 85 wpm, Headset, Foot Pedal, and Transcription Software

Cyber Dictate Hires transcriptionists with little experience inside the US. They pay you around half a cent per word of transcription.

You need to have a typing speed of at least 85 word per minute, a Foot Pedal, a Headset and transcription software to work on Cyber Dictate. You also need to pass their test to get accepted.

What I Like:

It is efficient, reliable, and accurate.

Provide excellent customer service.

Good reviews and ratings.

What I Don’t Like:

Has many requirements.

The pay rate is relatively low.

23. eTranscription Solutions

• Pay Rate: Not Mentioned

• Payment Method: Not Mentioned

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: Worldwide

• Requirements: Typing speed of 80 words/minute

eTranscription Solutions is a transcription service provider catering to industries such as medical, legal, academic, and business.

They have a skilled team of transcriptionists with expertise in specific fields, ensuring accurate and industry-specific transcriptions.

One advantage of working with eTranscription Solutions is their prompt delivery of transcriptions, meeting tight deadlines.

The company prioritizes data security, implementing robust measures to safeguard sensitive information, assuring clients and transcriptionists of confidentiality.

Their experienced team, commitment to timely delivery, and focus on data security make them an appealing choice for transcription professionals.

What I Like:

Diverse Industry Coverage: eTranscription Solutions caters to various industries, including medical, legal, academic, and business.

The company offers flexible work options, allowing transcriptionists to choose assignments based on their availability and preferences.

What I Don’t Like:

Competitive Selection Process: As eTranscription Solutions maintains a team of experienced transcriptionists, the selection process to join their team can be competitive.

Workload Fluctuations: Depending on client demands, there may be fluctuations in the available workload.

24. Alpha Dog Transcriptions

• Pay Rate: $0.9-$2.75 per audio minute

• Payment Method: P2P bank transfer system

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: USA

• Requirements: Transcription software, Foot Pedal and Headphone

Alpha Dog Transcriptions is a transcription company that has gained recognition for its transcription services. They offer remote transcription jobs, providing flexible employment opportunities.

Alpha Dog Transcriptions serves clients from various industries and caters to a diverse range of audio and video files. Their transcriptionists work on engaging projects, ensuring a varied workload.

What I Like:

Work flexibility.

Diverse clientele.

Competitive compensation.

Supportive team.

What I Don’t Like:

Competitive application process.

Workload fluctuations.

Deadlines and time pressure.

25. Net Transcripts

• Pay Rate: $10-$15 per hour according to most reviews on Glassdoor

• Payment Method: Bank Transfer

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: USA

• Requirements: Typing speed of 80WPM, Transcription software, Foot Pedal and Headphone

Net Transcripts is a well-established transcription company specializing in providing transcription services for the law enforcement, criminal justice, and legal sectors. They are known for their accurate and timely transcriptions, catering to clients in these industries.

Transcriptionists working with Net Transcripts are responsible for converting audio and video recordings related to law enforcement investigations, court proceedings, and legal matters into written text.

What I Like:

Niche transcription opportunities.

Consistent workload.

Good compensation.

Flexible working hours.

What I Don’t Like:

Industry-specific knowledge.

Confidentiality requirements: Due to the sensitive nature of the materials involved, Net Transcripts places great importance on confidentiality.

Variable audio quality.

26. Way With Words

• Pay Rate: $0.45 – $1.73 per audio minute.

• Payment Method: PayPal and Bank Transfer

• Job Availability: Medium

• Countries Accepted: USA, UK, Canada and few others.

• Requirements: No

Way With Words is a leading transcription company known for providing fast and accurate transcript services.

Since Way With Words serves a global clientele, you can get exposure to transcribing many types of audio in different accents and languages.

They utilize technology like speech recognition and auto-timestamps to help improve productivity too.

What I Like:

The pay is decent at an audio minute rate that’s in line with industry averages.

Consistent workload.

Flexible working hours.

What I Don’t Like:

Way With Words has rigorous metrics and tight turnarounds that may better suit full-time professionals rather than part-time freelancers.

Variable audio quality.

Related: How to become transcriptionist and make money?

Tips To Get High-Paying Transcription Jobs

To be honest, transcription is relatively low pay to start with. Most the beginner transcriptionist seems unsatisfied with their job.

It’s very hard to make a full-time income transcribing audio files just sitting at home, especially if you are a beginner transcriptionist.

I’d worked with a few transcription companies with the expectation of making full-time income but I couldn’t.

I started working on Upwork and Fiverr as a transcriptionist where I began earning a decent income but was still unsatisfied with that.

Later on, I came across the general transcription course by transcription certification institute which completely changed my mindset.

After enrolling in general transcription course, I thought of transcription as a business rather than a job.

FAQS On Best Transcription Jobs

What Are Transcription Jobs?

Transcription jobs are jobs where you get paid by listening to audio or video recordings and converting those files into text.

Transcription is a lucrative job model where you get paid by transcribing audio files just sitting at home with little experience.

What Are The Types of Transcription Jobs?

Transcription jobs are of 3 types ;

General Transcription Jobs:

It is the most common transcription job where you transcribe the audio recording of podcasts, videos, workshops, interviews, etc.

General transcription jobs require less detail of the subject matter. Hence, they are perfect for beginners, where you can develop your skill and experience on simple subjects.

Legal Transcription Jobs:

It is the transcription job where you transcribe the audio recordings of legal issues such as court proceedings, search warrants, jail calls, etc.

Legal transcription jobs require experience with legal terms and more subject matter details. Legal transcription jobs mightn’t fit you if you are a beginner and inexperienced.

Medical Transcription Jobs:

It is the transcription job where you transcribe the audio recordings of medical subject matters such as medical charts, physician notes, etc.

Medical transcription jobs generally require training and certification and are tricky and time-consuming.

If you are a beginner, we recommend getting into general transcription jobs rather than legal and medical ones.

What Skills Should I Have As a Transcriber?

Transcription takes hard work and intense dedication, as most jobs do. As a transcriptionist, you should have the following skills;

• You should be fluent in the language in which you’re transcribing.

• You need to have strong listening skills.

• You should have fast and perfect typing skills.

• You should be recognizable with MS Word or similar applications.

• You need to have editing and grammar-checking skills.

• Other skills include time management, multitasking, spelling proficiency, focus, and determination.

What Tools Should I Have As A Transcriber?

Transcription is quite hard work, especially for beginners. But few tools ease transcription work to some extent.

As a transcriptionist, I recommend you have the following tools;

1. PC (Desktop or Laptop):

The most basic and essential tool for transcription is the PC. You can download and run transcription software and application on your PC. PC is a reliable source for fast typing in transcription.

2. Microsoft Word:

Microsoft word is a free application that enables you to create, format, edit, and save content.

3. Transcription Software:

Transcription software plays a vital role in easing your transcription work. There is some free transcription software but they only provide limited features. Transcription software doesn’t cost a lot, so, I recommend you invest in the best transcription software.

Here is some of the best transcription software;

Express Scribe

The FTW Transcriptor

Inqscribe

4. Headset:

The headset is another important transcription tool. A good headset helps you to listen to the audio carefully. It also helps to cancel the external noise on the audio.

I recommend the following headset for the best transcription;

ECS OHUSB WordSlinger Deluxe Overhead USB Transcription Headset

Spectra USB Transcription Headset

5. Foot Pedal:

The foot pedal helps you to pause the audio, fast forward, and rewind. There are different foot pedals available. Ensure the foot pedal is compatible with your preferred transcription software and your PC’s version.

I recommend the following foot pedal for better transcription;

Infinity IN-USB-1 USB Computer Transcription Foot Pedal

Digital USB Foot Pedal for Express Scribe Pro Software

Philips ACC2310 3-Pedal Foot Control

How Much Do Transcriptionists Make?

It depends upon their transcription skills, working hours, experience, where they live, etc.

Generally, you can get paid between $30 to $60 per audio hour as a transcriptionist. But you can earn more if you work with private clients.

The faster you transcribe, the more money you will make. Your transcription speed depends upon your skills and experience.

What’s the main difference between general, legal, and medical transcription jobs?

General transcription jobs include transcribing the audio files of podcasts, interviews, youtube videos, etc where you require fewer details about the subject matter.

Legal transcription jobs include transcribing the audio files of court proceedings, search warrants, jail calls, etc. Similarly, medical transcription jobs include transcribing the audio files of medical charts, physician notes, etc. Legal and medical transcription jobs usually require experience and familiarity with subject matters.

What’s the difference between working hours and audio hours in transcription jobs?

Working hours are the time taken by you to transcribe the audio files. But audio hours are the length of audio files you’re provided to transcribe.

For example, a company offers $50 per audio hour. It doesn’t mean you can get paid $50 for working an hour.

How long does it take to transcribe 1 hour of audio?

Typically, it takes around 2-7 working hours to transcribe an hour of audio files depending on your skills and experience. It also depends on the quality of the audio files.

Can I make a full-time income from a transcription job?

Honestly speaking, it’s tough to make a full-time income from a transcription job if you’re a beginner. Even it’s difficult for the experienced transcriptionist to make a full-time income.

But, it’s possible if you can set up your own transcription business and find high-paying clients.

Transcription jobs allow you to make quick money while transcription business makes you money in the long term.

Are transcription jobs worth it?

Certainly, transcription jobs can be worthwhile depending on individual circumstances and preferences. They offer the advantages of flexibility, remote work, and income generation. However, the value of a transcription job varies depending on factors like pay rates, workload, and personal interest in the field and future of transcription jobs.

Can I become a transcriptionist without experience?

Yes, it is feasible to become a transcriptionist without previous experience, as numerous entry-level opportunities do not necessitate prior knowledge.

These jobs often provide on-the-job training or may offer lower compensation compared to more experienced transcriptionists. However, developing essential skills like good listening abilities, attention to detail, and typing speed can be advantageous when starting in this profession.