If you have good listening and writing skills, you can make money online through audio transcription services. This type of work is particularly good for individuals who want to work from the comfort of their homes.

You have the flexibility to choose your own work hours and pick jobs that you can easily fit into your schedule. What you will be doing is transcribing audio recordings and files into text.

• What Do You Need to Get Started
• 5 Platforms Where You Can Earn Money by Transcribing Audio
• How to Become a Transcriptionist And Earn Money From Home
• Best Transcription Jobs Worth Doing in 2022
• How Beginners Can Make Money Transcribing
• Can You Make a Living as a Transcriptionist?
• How do You Get Paid For Audio Transcription?
• How Much Does a Transcriptionist Make a Year?
• How Much do Transcribers Make Per Audio
• Are Transcriptionist in Demand?
• How Can I Earn Money by Typing?
• How Much do Beginner Transcriptionists Make?
• What Type of Transcriptionist Makes The Most Money?
• How Fast do You Have to Type to be a Transcriptionist?
• What is The Best Transcription Company to Work For?
• How do I Get a Transcription Job With no Experience?
• How do I Pass a Transcription Test?
• How Can I Learn Transcription For Free?
• How Can I Improve my Transcription Skills?
• How Can I Improve my Audio Typing Skills?
• Do You Need a Certificate to be a Transcriptionist?
• Where Can I Practice Audio Transcription?
• 10 Online Transcription Jobs That Are Basically Easy Money
• Earn $30,000 Per Year With Transcription by Typing Out Audio
• 12 Places to Find Online Transcription Jobs
• Earn Money Transcribing UK
• How to Make Money on Transcribeme
• GMR Transcription
• Rev Transcription
• Medical Transcription Companies
• Transcription Companies in Kenya
• 4 Best Transcription Companies

What Do You Need to Get Started

Transcription requires listening to audio files and typing out what you hear. Companies that hire professional transcriptionists will usually require a high-quality foot pedal for controlling audio playback along with the popular Express Scribe transcription software.

Read Also: How To Earn Income With Micro Job Websites

However, most of the companies that hire newbies are more laid-back in their equipment requirements, so you’ll only need to have a computer and a high-speed internet connection to start working.

How much can you Earn

Pay for transcription jobs can vary. “General transcription pays well in comparison to most work-at-home jobs,” says Mills. “The least I’ve made per hour is $15. But I often make $25 per hour or more. Those who specialize in legal can make an even higher wage per hour.”

Transcription companies usually pay a rate per audio hour or a rate per page, although the audio hour pay rate seems to be the most common.

An audio hour is not the same thing as a regular hour. For example, if you’re being paid $50 per audio hour, this means you’ll earn $50 for every hour of audio you transcribe.

It could take you anywhere from two to five hours to transcribe just one hour of audio, depending on the complexity of the file is and your transcription skill level.

Experienced transcriptionists often consider rates below $45 to $50 per audio hour too low. But if you’re brand new to the industry, you may find it’s worth working for a lower rate to get started and learn valuable skills that could help you land a better-paying transcription job later on.

The exact amount you earn as a transcriptionist will depend on the company you’re working for, how much work is available and your speed and skill level.

Finding clients

The starting point is to search for clients who have audio transcription jobs. You can find these clients on several websites and this will make it possible for you to make money online through audio transcription.

You can search on Google for websites that offer transcription jobs. These jobs are available on companies such as Transcription 2000, Express Document Services, and so on. You can also get jobs from freelance work sites.

Choose the type of transcription you can do

Transcription jobs are usually classified into categories so you have to choose jobs from the category that you are comfortable with. Some of these categories include legal transcription, medical transcription and general transcription.

Medical transcription is given to individuals who have a background in medical services. General transcription can be done by almost anybody and it is usually the easiest.

Send in your application

Once you have found a company that has the type of jobs that you can do, you have to send in an application. Your application should be accompanied by a well written resume.

Your resume should highlight your strong points and make it easy for the prospective employer to see why you are suitable for the position. You do not need a resume if you want to sign up with a freelance job site but you will have to build an attractive profile.

You have to be organized

When you start to make money online through audio transcription, it is important to create a daily schedule for working on your projects. The projects you will be given will have deadlines and a daily schedule will enable you to complete them on time.

It is also important to do your work in an area of your home that is free of distractions. Most of the files that will be given to you will be in .wav format. You need a quiet environment where you can listen to the audio files. Some files will be sent to your email while some have to be accessed online.

Getting paid

The amount of money that you can make online through transcription services is dependent on the type of company that you work for and the jobs that are given to you. Some companies pay according to the number of hours that are required to complete each job while some simply pay per project.

It is vital to become familiar with the rules and policies of any company that you work for. If you follow these tips, you will soon start to make money online through audio transcription.

If you decide to go freelance in your audio transcription career, there are some websites where you can get jobs by signing up and apply for the jobs. Some of them are mentioned below.

5 Platforms Where You Can Earn Money by Transcribing Audio

Transcribe Anywhere

Transcribe Anywhere offers online transcription courses that not only teach students how to transcribe but also how to start their own freelance transcribing businesses.

The online course features modules, practice dictations and quizzes. It even shows you how to create sample client contracts and how to determine your rates.

TranscribeMe

Before you can take on projects with TranscribeMe, you have to register and then take its Transcriber Training Program. The company does not require transcriptionists to work a set number of hours.

The company pays $15 per audio hour, and it does  not require any equipment for transcription prior to getting started beyond a “reasonable computer” that has Google Chrome and a reliable internet connection. You’ll be paid weekly by PayPal for the work you complete.

Quicktate

Quicktate will hire newbie transcriptionists once they pass a typing quiz. The company’s independent contractors transcribe short voicemail messages, as well as memos, letters, conference calls and more.

After you have done transcription for Quicktate for some time, you may be promoted to iDictate — a sister company that pays slightly more for transcribed files.

Quicktate pays approximately one cent for every four words transcribed, while iDictate pays two cents for every four words transcribed. You can work as much or as little as you want, and they pay weekly by PayPal.

Rev

You’ll need to pass a grammar quiz and submit a transcription template prior to claiming assignments from Rev, which allows transcribers to work as much or as little as you like.

Rev pays 36 to 65 cents per audio minute, which works out to about $22 to $39 per audio hour.. The company pays weekly by PayPal and doesn’t require any special equipment apart from a computer with a reliable Internet connection..

Tigerfish

Tigerfish has been using home-based transcriptionists to transcribe audio files for their clients since 1989. You’ll need to pass a skills test prior to working for Tigerfish.

Tigerfish allows applicants to use Express Scribe for the skills test, but it requires successful people to use Power Play for Windows Media. 

The company doesn’t share information on pay rates, method and job frequency until you apply.

Crowdsurf

Crowdsurf specializes in providing transcribed media files to the hearing impaired. If you work for Crowdsurf, you’ll have to create an account with Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, a popular crowdsourced work platform where Crowdsurf houses their transcription tasks. 

You’ll earn about three to 20 cents per media minute transcribed. You’ll be paid through Amazon to your Amazon Payments Account

If you’re looking to earn a little extra money online, give transcription a try with one of these companies. You won’t break the bank, but you will be getting paid to learn how to transcribe audio files — and this could open the door to much better-paying transcription opportunities in the future!

How to Become a Transcriptionist And Earn Money From Home

Embarking on a career as a transcriptionist can be exciting. Transcriptionists can work from their own home’s safety and comfort and work as little or much as they like.

First, shore up your typing skills through hours of practice. Tons of websites offer typing tips. Some are even free. The faster you learn to increase your typing speed and accuracy, the quicker you’ll become a competent transcriptionist. 

The quickest and easiest method is to find a company that hires inexperienced transcriptionists. Most require that you take a short test to evaluate your typing skills. If successful, they’ll most likely give you simple assignments in the beginning. 

If you’re inclined to enroll in an online transcription training program, don’t neglect to follow the advice given earlier. Speak with a representative of the training company as well as recent graduates. It’s also advisable that any transcription program be based in the U.S. After all, practically all the transcription projects you work on originate in the United States.

Acquiring or purchasing the best equipment you can afford is highly recommended. Transcriptionists with dual monitors, text expander software, and high-quality headphones can transcribe at least 30% faster than our people who don’t use all the tools available to them. If you decide not to use a foot pedal, you will be sacrificing at least 50% more in speed alone.

Simply put, go for it. Up your typing speed and accuracy, obtain the proper equipment and training, and apply to as many reputable companies as possible. 

Speaking of reputable companies, we recommend you work for companies that operate and are based in the United States. Having a Post Office Box as their physical address doesn’t count and should be avoided in our experience. They should have a legit physical address to show that they will be around longer than the $250 contract to have a UPS Store mailbox.

Foreign-based companies are taking advantage of the demand for transcription services by saying they are based or have viable operations in the United States. Performing some basic research should help you determine the location and quality of any transcription company you are interested in working with.

Best Transcription Jobs Worth Doing in 2022

Three main types of transcription work are available: general, legal, and medical. In addition, the chances of joining this field are huge right now.

Medical transcription is the process of transcribing voice recordings, lecture notes, and other related materials connected with healthcare.

Legal transcription, meanwhile, is the act of transcribing materials related to legal proceedings.

This includes interviews, testimonies, court hearings, and client letters. Since these specializations have difficult terms, transcriptionists who have related experience are paid more.

TranscribeMe

For newbies interested in having a go at transcribing as a way to earn extra money, TranscribeMe is a common option. They may not need prior experience, but a legal or medical history may give you a higher pay rate.

Expected pay is between $15 to $22 per audio hour anytime via PayPal.

The monthly average earnings clock in at $250, according to the company, while their top transcriptionists earn as much as $2,200.

The projects they receive are split into short 1 to 2-minute clips by TranscribeMe, making them less boring to transcribe. To apply, only register, take the exam and wait within 12 business days for their reply.

GoTranscript

There are no stringent requirements for GoTranscript and their pay rates are not bad. Also without experience, they welcome applicants from all over the world.

However, by sending an SMS code and your real-time photo, you will have to prove your identity.

Additionally, the expected pay is up to $0.6 per audio minute weekly via PayPal or Payoneer

For 10-minute media, the company has a decent turnaround period of 6 hours, so even slow typers can make it work. They also do not have a monthly limit, so you are free to work as little or as much as you want.

With an average rating of 4.0, their Glassdoor reviews are strong. The most common criticism is that the quality of their audio files appears to be low.

Casting Words

You just need to fill out a form in order to get hired by Casting Words. Depending on your experience, you may or may not need to take a test. You can select an assignment from the Available Jobs list once you are accepted.

Expected Pay is between $0.085 to a bit over $1 per audio minute with a bonus depending on work grade. Also, the payment method is weekly via PayPal.

There are bonus-based transcription work. This implies that the pay rate depends on the grade earned by your submitted work.

For instance, work graded 5 gets the amount of base pay, while the highest grade, 9, gets a total of 3x the amount of base pay.

GMR Transcription

GMR Transcription is one of the companies with higher rewards that do not need previous experience. They only accept US-based applicants, however, and you need to consider having a foot pedal, MS Office, high-speed internet, and over-the-ear headphones.

The expected pay is between $0.70 to $1.25 per audio minute Monthly via PayPal or direct bank transfer.

You will have to transcribe 2 hours’ worth of audio first after you have passed the exam before you can start getting paid work.

You need to transcribe at least 4 audio hours per month after the probationary period. The good news is, to help you reach this limit; they have a steady amount of work available year-round.

Upwork

With 3 million jobs posted annually in various fields, including transcription and captioning, Upwork is the world’s largest freelance marketplace.

Payment availability varies but are paid via local bank transfer, U.S. Dollar Wire Transfer, Instant Pay, PayPal, Payoneer, and M-Pesa

There is no base rate and everything is just what you and your customer agree on. More professional transcriptionists would, of course, be able to charge greater prices.

Nevertheless, this is one of the best ways for newcomers to gain experience and establish a long-term bond with various customers.

How Beginners Can Make Money Transcribing

There are a lot of platforms where you can sign up as a transcriber. This job provides payment per hour and skill development means higher pay. It is basically listening to audio clips and writing down what they are saying.

The only skills required in this job are typing and listening, with a good grasp of the English language and accents. If you have competence in different foreign languages, then you can have a serious advantage here.

After being accepted as a transcriber, most platforms will sign contracts saying none of the conversations you hear can be disclosed to anyone. Keeping customer privacy is a mandatory rule.

Skills and Equipment Needed

Anyone with a computer can start transcribing. But aside from a computer, some equipment are listed by these websites to have a better output, even though these are not absolutely necessary for beginners.

• Headphones
• High-speed internet connection
• Listening skills
• Good typing skills
• Research skills to find the context of the audio clip

But transcription is such a job that doesn’t require any extra experience or skills. With normal, everyday knowledge, we can easily earn some extra money. Choosing as little or as much job as you want, this job gives a certain type of freedom to also go on with the ordinary social life.

Can You Make a Living as a Transcriptionist?

Transcription is a well-paying career with many opportunities. A transcriptionist’s salary is generally around $15, while an advanced transcriptionist earns around $25 to $30 per hour. With this rate, you can easily earn $1,500 every month if you work 2.5 hours per day for 24 days.

According to PayScale, the median transcriptionists’ salary is $15.22 per hour. Additionally, you enjoy the freedom of setting your own hours and have sufficient leverage for working as little or as much as you want on a weekly basis. According to the BLS stats declared in 2017, the median annual transcriptionists’ salary was $35,250 per year, or about $16.95 per hour.

How do You Get Paid For Audio Transcription?

Being a graduate of a transcription training program improves your skills so you can work faster. At the same time, it will improve your chances of getting in higher-paying companies. Once you’re earning, consider investing in equipment and software that can speed up your workflow.

Again, this depends on factors like experience, where you live, and how fast you work.

Taking the example above, if the company pays $60 for an audio hour, a beginner would earn $10 while an experienced transcriptionist would earn $15 per hour. Depending on where you live in the world, this might or might not be enough to live on.

Another factor to consider is the amount of work that the company can provide you. For most transcription companies, there are off and peak seasons so the income won’t be stable. An easy workaround to this is to work for more than just one company.

In most cases, transcribing online isn’t enough to make a living for beginners. However, as you develop your skills and gain more experience, you’ll be able to work faster and get a higher rate to help you make it your main source of income.

How Much Does a Transcriptionist Make a Year?

According to BLS stats for May, 2017, the mean hourly wage for a medical transcriptionist is $17.50, while their mean annual wage is $36,400 annually.

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not maintain a record of the salaries for legal transcriptionists specifically, but a majority of them earn between $20,000 and $60,000 per year with an average of about $26,400 as of 2018.

The exact amount of money you would earn working as a transcriptionist depends upon many variables. Those include:

• the company you are working for
• the exact volume of work that you are doing, as well as
• your speed and
• skill level.

That’s why a company recruiting only experienced transcriptionists would pay more than a company hiring new ones. It’s therefore advisable that you take up a lesser paying job as a beginner in transcription because it will give you valuable experience, which will help you in getting transcription jobs that are better paying later on.

How Much do Transcribers Make Per Audio

Professional transcriptionists who work remotely as independent contractors generally earn anywhere between $10-40 USD per hour.

As a transcriptionist based in the U.S. or Canada, an hourly rate of $15-20 USD is a good baseline rate to aim for when working remotely as an independent contractor for a transcription agency. Anywhere between $25-40 USD per hour is a good baseline rate to shoot for when transcribing freelance for private clients.

Note that I’m basing these estimates on pay rates for transcriptionists working with companies that pay at least $1 per audio minute, which is the minimum pay rate recommended by many professional transcriptionists. If you work for an agency that pays 30 cents per audio minute, it’s going to be difficult to attain the above hourly rates.

Are Transcriptionist in Demand?

There’s healthy demand from employers looking to fill flexible remote transcription jobs. The FlexJobs database lists positions for full-time, part-time, and short-term transcriptionists.

These flexible positions range from entry-level transcription jobs that sometimes provide on-the-job training, to specialized remote transcription jobs for professionals with several years of experience that may require special language skills or familiarity with technology such as captioning software programs. Almost all employers that hire transcriptionists look for people who can turn around work under tight deadlines, with a minimum of errors.

How Can I Earn Money by Typing?

Here are five fields that typically have job openings for online employees of collaborators and that require typing.

1. Data entry

Working in data entry is usually the most basic form of making money through typing, which also means it tends to be the least paid. However, the fact that there are no experience or educational requirements makes it an appropriate place to start making money online by typing. The only skills required are basic computer and typing skills.

The job itself consists of adding data from an external file into the company’s system or into a spreadsheet. In some situations, you also need to verify the data and advanced data entry roles also involve performing research.

The main requirement is to own a personal or laptop computer with a keyboard and high-speed internet connection. It also may require basic knowledge of popular office software applications. Data entry is typically a very repetitive domain, so it may become increasingly difficult to find the right motivation after a period of time. However, it is an appropriate place to start on your way to other online typing jobs.

2. Transcription

A transcriptionist is tasked with listening to audio recordings and typing the discussions they hear. Those working in transcription jobs need to be able to identify multiple voices on a recording, understand their words through the background noise and be able to transcribe words spoken in different accents.

Transcriptionists are usually very good typists, as quick typing can save you much time in this profession. They also need to be very precise and error-free in their work, with some typist jobs, such as those in the medical or legal professions, sometimes requiring certification.

Aside from an internet-connected device with a keyboard, a transcriptionist also needs a pair of headphones. Most transcriptionist jobs pay per transcribed hour of audio, so improving your typing speed can increase your earnings.

3. Medical and legal transcription

Unlike general transcription jobs, those handling highly technical and specialized fields usually require certification that proves their knowledge in the respective fields. Professionals who transcribe a physician or legal professional’s dictation need to have extensive knowledge of the terms used, mainly because even minor errors in these fields can have severe consequences.

4. Virtual assistance

Working in a virtual assistant job typically involves performing multiple tasks for a single client, depending on their particular needs. Some of the most often performed tasks are data entry, performing research, creating spreadsheets from previously acquired data, planning schedules, managing social media profiles, translating various documents, performing customer service tasks, answering emails and others.

Virtual assistance requires constant learning and adapting, but the wide variety of potential tasks makes the field of virtual assistance appropriate for those who lose motivation when performing a single repetitive task.

5. Micro task jobs

Micro tasks are various tasks that are typically simple and do not require much time to complete but cannot be automated. Some of these may be related to transcribing small audio files, updating a price list, identifying various objects in a video clip or photograph, writing a short paragraph and others. The best place to find micro-tasks is on microtask job websites.

Aside from a device with high-speed internet and a keyboard, the additional equipment and software needed usually depends on the micro job that you are planning to perform. For example, updating a price list typically requires a software application that allows you to edit spreadsheet files.

How Much do Beginner Transcriptionists Make?

The latest report on the average salary of beginner transcribers is August 26, 2021. Today’s transcribers earn an average salary of $34,814 a year. That is $2,901 per month.

Research done by ZipRecruiter, shows salaries of beginner transcribers range between $25,000 and $41,000 per year. Top salaries are recorded at $49,500 per year.

Based on recent job listings within the beginner transcriber job market in South Africa there is a lot of ongoing activity. Most beginner transcribers in South Africa earn an average of $2,901 per month.

What Type of Transcriptionist Makes The Most Money?

1. SpeakWrite

• Expected Pay: $0.005 per word with 10% bonus for some shifts
• Payment Mode: Twice a month by direct deposit or check
• Qualifications: At least 60 wpm, US and Canada residents only, 1 year experience minimum, must have foot pedal
• Availability: High

SpeakWrite is constantly looking for general transcriptionists with at least a year of experience. Since their customer base is largely made up of legal, government, and law enforcement sector clients, they also welcome applicants with a background in law. Aside from having previous transcribing experience, candidates should also have a minimum typing speed of 60 wpm with at least 90% accuracy.

Once you’ve passed, you need to have a foot pedal to accept work. You can also choose your own shifts but you must work a minimum of 15 hours per month to stay employed.

2. 3Play Media

• Expected Pay: $10 to $30 per working hour
• Payment Mode: Monthly by direct deposit or check
• Qualifications: At least 75 wpm, US residents only
• Availability: Low

3Play Media doesn’t offer consistent work but they do pay well. According to feedback from people who have worked with them before, you can get paid anywhere from $10 to $30 per working hour. That’s working hour and not audio hour so they really pay well.

The job is a little different as well compared to other companies. With 3Play Media, you get video files that have already been transcribed by their speech recognition software. Since the computer-generated transcriptions aren’t completely correct, your job is to make sure that they are.

3. Transcript Divas

• Expected Pay: $0.84 to $2.98 per audio minute
• Payment Mode: Invoice processed within a week, paid via PayPal or bank transfer
• Qualifications: With experience preferred but not required
• Availability: Medium

Transcript Divas is a great choice for transcribers that are looking for a flexible schedule and good pay. According to the company, their aim is to pay more than the average rate for transcriptionists in the USA.

There are peak and off seasons in terms of the work available but that is common with companies in this industry. The Glassdoor and forum reviews are mostly positive except for their payment schedule which sometimes get delayed by a few days.

4. Ubiqus

• Expected Pay: $0.00588 per word for legal and $0.00695 per word for medical transcription
• Payment Mode: Every two weeks 
• Qualifications: US residents only, at least 1 year experience, foot pedal recommended
• Availability: Medium

You can apply for three different positions – general, medical, and legal transcriptionists. They require relevant experience but, if you lack experience, you can simply state how you think you have the aptitude to do the tasks well.

They don’t have their rates posted on their website but a person who used to work for them mentioned the indicated rates above. So, if you have an average typing speed of 40 wpm, you can earn about $14.11 per hour doing legal transcriptions and $16.68 per hour for medical ones.

5. Quicktate and iDictate

• Expected Pay: general transcription = 0.0025 per word, medical transcription = 0.0050 per word; iDictate = at least 0.0050 per word
• Payment Mode: Weekly via PayPal
• Qualifications: Experience required, $20 for background check
• Availability: Medium

With Quicktate, you’ll be asked to transcribe audio files that are less than 5 minutes long. These are usually memos, letters, and voicemails. Meanwhile, iDictate is for longer audio files like lectures, podcasts, and conference calls.

Aside from requiring work experience, you’ll have to include 3 references that aren’t family members. You’ll also have to pay $20 for the background check. A copy of Express Scribe Pro which costs $70 is a must as well.

How Fast do You Have to Type to be a Transcriptionist?

Typing speeds of at least 65 words per minute (wpm) are recommended for beginning transcriptionists—most seasoned transcriptionists type between 75 and 90 wpm. If your typing speed doesn’t hit those levels today, don’t worry because consistent practice can have your fingers moving faster in no time.

If you want to check your typing speed and accuracy rate, google online typing test, and take a few different ones to see how you do. 

Besides keyboard speed and critical listening skills, having an excellent command of the English language is imperative. Some audio files can be easy to transcribe, especially when recorded in a good environment with all parties speaking clearly. However, not all files are so pristine. Often audio files are recorded in less-than-ideal settings with multiple people talking. Other times the person speaking doesn’t speak the primary language well or may pronounce certain words or phrases differently.

For example, when someone uses the word “to,” you need to have a basic command of grammar to determine if they said “to,” “two,” or “too.” These may seem like basic rules everyone knows, yet that’s not the case. Our tests are not easy. Many – the majority – fail our exams because they don’t see the difference between many different homophones.

What is The Best Transcription Company to Work For?

There are a lot of different companies and websites that will pay for transcription work, and hopefully, this list will help you to find the right opportunity for you.

Most transcription jobs will allow you to work as an independent contractor. Typically, you’ll be able to have control over the days and hours that you work, and how much you work. Some companies will have minimums or specific requirements that you’ll need to meet.

1. SpeakWrite

• Rate Info: $0.005 – $0.006 per word
• Payment Method: Direct deposit or check
• Payment Frequency: Twice per month
• Requirements: One year of experience, 60+ words per minute, 90% accuracy

SpeakWrite is one of the best transcription jobs, but you’ll need a little bit of previous transcribing experience. They have a well-established customer base that includes legal, government, law enforcement, and private sector clients.

As a transcriptionist for SpeakWrite, you’ll be paid $0.005 – $0.006 per word. According to SpeakWriting, average monthly earnings are $300+ with top earners exceeding $3,000 per month. Payments are made twice per month by direct deposit or check.

In order to work for SpeakWrite, applicants must pass a test with a minimum of 60 words per minute with at least 90% accuracy. You will also need at least one year of transcription experience, and you must pass a background check.

Once you’re approved you will choose your own shifts and then work will be assigned to you during your shifts. You’ll need to schedule at least 15 working hours per month, which means you’ll have a steady stream of work.

2. Transcript Divas

• Rate Info: Average of $1.39 per audio minute
• Payment Method: PayPal or direct deposit
• Payment Frequency: Unspecified
• Requirements: Experience preferred but not required

Transcript Divas offers one of the higher-paying remote transcription jobs, with rates going up to $2.98 per audio minute. They don’t require previous experience, but they have high standards and only accept a percentage of applicants.

If you’re interested in working as a freelancer for Transcript Divas, you can apply directly on their website. You’ll need to have a resume/CV ready, and you’ll need to answer a few questions to complete the application.

3. Speechpad

• Rate Info: $0.25 – $2.50 per audio minute
• Payment Method: PayPal
• Payment Frequency: Twice per week
• Requirements: Pass their typing test

Speechpad is another good company to work for. You can earn $0.25 – $2.50 per audio minute (or $15 to $150 per audio hour). Payments are made twice per week by PayPal.

It’s free to sign up, and before you can start working you’ll need to pass a transcription and a grammar test. As a worker, you’ll have a rating, and the rating impacts what jobs you will be eligible for. Increase your rating to open up more opportunities. There are also possibilities to quality for rush jobs and captioning jobs that can bring higher pay.

There is no minimum that you need to work, and you’ll be able to choose the specific jobs that you want to take.

4. Averbach Transcription

• Rate Info: $1.00 – $1.50 per audio minute
• Payment Method: PayPal
• Payment Frequency: Unspecified
• Requirements: Pass their test

Averbach Transcription is hiring for transcription jobs. They do not list any requirements for experience, but you will need to be able to pass their 20-minute test. 

Their typical rates are $1.00 per audio minute or $1.50 per audio minute for rush orders (same day or overnight). Obviously, if you’re able to take the rush orders, you’ll be able to earn more. They claim that most professional transcriptionists are able to make $20 – $30 per hour of work based on these rates.

You’ll have the flexibility to set your own hours and decline work if it’s not convenient for you.

5. Transcription Outsourcing LLC

• Rate Info: $0.80 – $1.10+ per audio minute
• Payment Method: Direct deposit or PayPal
• Payment Frequency: Twice per month
• Requirements: Pass their typing tests

Transcription Outsourcing offers positions for employees as well as general contractors. They have work in a variety of different industries with openings currently listed for law enforcement, medical, legal, financial, and general transcription. The application process requires you to pass at least one typing test before you can join their team. The specific test requirements can vary depending on the type of transcription you’ll be doing.

Transcription Outsourcing offers very competitive rates. The rates can vary depending on the industry you’re working in. Some are paid per minute and others per line. The per-minute rates are currently listed at $0.80 – $1.10 per minute, but they also offer higher rates (up to $5 per minute) for rush jobs or when maximum accuracy is needed. A rate of $0.07 – $0.10 per line is currently listed for medical transcription work.

How do I Get a Transcription Job With no Experience?

Since these sites hire beginners, they don’t always pay a lot. The really successful transcriptionists have their own private clients. 

This means they have bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and other content creators who go to them every time they need something transcribed.

1. Scribie (#1 Recommendation For Beginners)

Scribie may pay a bit less than some other sites, but it’s a great place to start and get a feel for the work. In order to get started all you need to do is submit an application and take their online test. All the files you will be transcribing on Scribie are 6 minutes or less, so they shouldn’t take too long to transcribe!

The pay on Scribie ranges from $5 to $20 per audio hour, paid out via PayPal.

2. TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe provides work by splitting up larger audio files into shorter segments and then posting them to the WorkHub where you can pick them up and transcribe them. After registering head over to the exams tab and take the English exam. Don’t worry if you don’t pass the first time, you can just try again later! You will then be contacted within 12 business days, after which you can start working for real!

Pay is sent out every week via Paypal.

3. Accutran Global

Accutran Global is only available to US and Canadian residents. You will have to complete a test upon applying, and they require that you have a transcription speed of 70 words per minute. If you consistently show that you understand the content you are transcribing, you may have the opportunity to get expand the services you offer besides just transcription.

They pay out via direct deposit to a bank account on or before the 15th of every month. No PayPal.

Here’s the earning potential:

• $0.004 to $0.0055 per word.
• $0.40 per audio minute for longer projects.
• Bonuses for audio containing technical terminology or heavy accents.

4. CastingWords

CastingWords requires that you be 18 years old and is available in most countries. You will have to take a test that consists of transcribing a short audio file.

CastingWords uses badges as a sort of ranking system, so the higher level badges you have the more jobs you’ll have access to. You will lost badges if your performance is poor, be careful! If you lose all your badges in a given category you will no longer be able to work on jobs in that category.

You will also receive grades for every piece of work you turn in. This means you will receive feedback from other transcriptionists, which is really valuable. If you consistently receive low grades though, you run the risk of losing a badge. Don’t worry about getting a few low grades when you first start out though, there is a lot to learn.

You can request to be paid via PayPal every Friday.

5. Crowdsurf

Crowdsurf requires no previous experience, all they request is that you take an assessment test. The work ranges from 5 seconds to 30 seconds per audio clip, so you should be able to bang out a job in 10 minutes or less.

Pay ranges from $0.03-$0.20 per audio minute plus additional bonus rates.

How do I Pass a Transcription Test?

Here are tips to keep in mind for passing a transcription test taken online by the transcription companies before they hire you for work:

Practice Typing Regularly

While each company sets its own standards for acceptable typing speed, you should set a goal to type at least 60 words per minute (wpm) without errors. It’s possible to type as slowly as 35 wpm and pass transcription tests, but any slower than that can be challenging. Learn to place your fingers on the keyboard without looking at them in your transcription practice sessions.

It’s helpful to practice audio transcription from videos that you enjoy, even if you don’t own transcription equipment yet. If you really want a career in this field, you will need to make typing a regular habit. Keep in mind that in most cases accuracy is more important than speed, although both are important skills.

Listen Carefully

Being able to hear words from audio recordings properly is a major requirement for passing a transcription test online. Typing too many wrong words during testing can adversely affect your score. Make sure when you practice and test that you are completely focused on the audio without distractions. That usually means turn off the TV or any other background noise that may disrupt your performance.

There may be times when words are completely unintelligible, in which you will either insert this term in brackets such as [unintelligible] or whatever the study guide for a specific test calls for. Transcription tests are timed so you will have to use your best judgment and move on.

Understand Proper Punctuation

Punctuation is a tricky topic because different rules for punctuation are applied by different sources, depending on the purpose. Academic writing, for example, has strict punctuation rules in which the US and UK differ. In the US, periods and commas are usually placed inside quotes but are placed outside in the UK.  Remember in your transcription practice to already know which method you will use, as determined by where the testing is based.

Transcribing for a media firm may have different punctuation rules. While much of AP style conforms to American academic punctuation rules, media outlets that are more commentary-based often have looser rules.

So it’s easy to be thrown off “proper English” rules if you read a lot of pop culture literature. To be safe, you should practice audio transcription using standard academic rules for testing. Then in your transcription practice, follow the rules according to your client or employer.

Brush Up on Grammar and Spelling

Proper grammar and spelling are extremely crucial in transcription tests. Use a spellcheck program when you practice audio transcription to gauge your accuracy. Make sure that you understand the functions of each of the following eight classifications of words used in the English language:

• nouns (persons beyond pronouns, places or things: kid, playground, toy)
• pronouns (relate to people: me, him, her)
• adjectives (descriptive words: beautiful, smart, happy)
• verbs (action words: walk, run, swim)
• adverbs (express how something is done: slowly, moderately, quickly)
• prepositions (relate to another word: on the beach, at the park, in the air)
• conjunctions (words that connect thoughts: and, but, or)
• interjections (emotional standalone words: hey, hi, yes)

Learn Transcription Formatting

In order to score high on a transcription test online, you will need to have a clear understanding of transcription formatting. Transcription services and schools usually require specific formatting, which you will need to review in the particular institution’s study guide. 

Typically, you will insert a line break between speakers. Identifiers such as “speaker” or “audience” are usually typed in bold. Transcription tests often ask participants to save a file, using the appropriate file name and extension (such as – Test.mp4). Page layouts, margins, font types, and sizes are also part of formatting.

Use Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential to transcription practice. There will be times when you must make decisions on what the speaker says and the context in which words are used.  Since many words have multiple meanings, you will need to make judgments, such as whether a person said “here” or “hear.”

Invest in Transcription Tools

If you work independently, you will need to invest in your own audio recording equipment and accessories, such as a headset and transcription software. A headset will help you be more comfortable and concentrate better when taking a transcription test online.

How Can I Learn Transcription For Free?

Enroll in an online and professional transcription training course, like the one TCI offers, to gain an advantage over others. This course helps you learn to transcribe better and earn more for the same working hours. Upon completing the TCI course, with a qualifying final course score, there’s an internship opportunity to provide a hands-on experience.

This course, brought to you by Transcription Certification Institute, is about learning general transcription skills and increasing your work-from-home employment opportunities for 1000s of transcription companies worldwide; and earning $10 to $35 per hour depending on your skills. Flexible hours of this profession allows you to work as much as you want and whenever you want.

1000s of transcription companies are outsourcing transcription projects to contractors all over the globe every day. These companies are competing for good transcribers because of the shortage of trained transcribers. 

All you require is proper training, a good ear for listening, good command of the English language, a desktop with high-speed internet, and an awareness of what is happening in the world to succeed in this profession. A higher level of familiarity with legal, academic or medical terms could result in higher-paid work.

The course material here is quite similar to the much-acclaimed TCI general transcription certification course, though it’s is just a  part of it. This 45 minutes course is divided into 8 lectures that include the details about transcription, punctuation, parts of speech, transcribing accented audios and much more. Invest about an hour to find out if you can start earning $10 to $35 per hour working from the comfort of your home

How Can I Improve my Transcription Skills?

So, whether you’re a journalist attending a conference that’ll decide the future of the world, simply a tourist taking French classes in Brisbane, or just a transcriber creating the captions for the most recent chick flick, polishing your transcription skills will benefit you greatly. Below we’ve discussed some tips you can use to achieve this:

1. Get the right software and hardware:

First and foremost, the basics. To be the best, you need the best, so don’t be afraid to invest money to get yourself the right pair of headphones or speakers, and then a software that assists you. You can find video software that makes the navigation of videos easier so that rewinding to listen to that word you missed is a less frustrating task. Besides this, you can also buy hardware such as foot pedals, which will make the task of controlling the audio/video files much simpler.

2. Practice your speed typing skills:

Transcription isn’t a job that can be done when your typing skills are rusty. Slow typing just won’t work here, you’ll end up spending several hours over a task you could have done in one hour or less.

So, it’s very important to practice typing fast to ensure you get done early and have enough time to review your work. But it’s also vital to ensure that you only type as fast as you can type accurately. Having to go back to make corrections slows you down drastically. 

3. Get comfortable:

Find the right workstation, clear your workspace, get snacks beforehand if you like to munch while working, and then get to work! While working, a lot of us don’t pay attention to the chair we sit in, the height of the table, or the lighting in the room, even though all these details are important, to ensure we don’t tire before the job is done.

4. Reduce background noise:

It might seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised (we were) by how many transcribers don’t take the time to ensure their place of work is free of all distractions. These distractions aren’t necessarily always people, sometimes even the noise of an AC running or the sounds from the street will compete for the attention of the transcriber and need to be ad before the assignment is begun. 

5. Review the files:

Always ensure that the files (if any) that you’ve been given are of good enough quality and all speakers are distinguishable. If not, it’s best to request a more refined version of the file or to review what you’re getting out of this job and see if it’s worth the amount of effort you’re about to put in.

6. Use and autocorrect software:

Having to go back over and over again to merely correct spelling mistakes adds to your already immense task, it makes much more sense to leave that to a software already in the market specifically made for that. But remember to go revise the document once you’re done to ensure that all the words have been corrected to the right form and make sense in the context.

7. Take your time:

As mentioned above, it’s better to allow yourself enough time rather than rushing and having to type the same thing ten times. You can get a rough estimate of how long you will need by either researching it online or timing yourself for a short section and then comparing the time it took to the remaining audio. Even expert transcriptionists take, on average three to four hours for a one-hour recording. 

How Can I Improve my Audio Typing Skills?

Typing is a skill that that can be used in many occupations and situations – and most famously in secretarial jobs. Fast, accurate typists are always in demand and there are several tips that can help you to improve your typing skills.

These include tips that are quite simple to carry out by yourself, as well as ones that are perhaps a little more complex. But all of them will help you to develop your typing skills to a high level, a tool that is invaluable in the modern job market.

1. Take a class. Classes and courses are available for typists of all skill levels. Even if you are an experienced typist, it can’t hurt to brush up on your technique or learn additional tips from professionals. 
2. Use both hands. Ten fingers are considerably faster than two, and the standard QWERTY keyboard was designed for typing this way.
3. Adopt a good posture. This will help you to concentrate and alleviate the distracting aches, pains and minor discomforts that can all stem from sitting in a manner that does not help your posture. 
4. Test yourself. There are many free typing speed tests available online. Using them regularly can help you focus and keep track of your progress. If your typing speed has improved (and you can match results on a consistent basis) it may be time to update your CV accordingly.
5. Don’t look. An essential skill for highly skilled typists is the ability to concentrate on the source and let their fingers do the work. Try typing without looking at the keyboard. This will help familiarise the layout of the keys so you can eventually type automatically.
6. Practice makes perfect.This is perhaps the single most important piece of advice. You don’t necessarily have to practice typing the sort of material you might encounter at work. You could copy type a passage from a favourite book, while sending emails, live online chats and social media sites can all help to improve your typing skills – especially if you use the typing techniques that you would ordinarily use at work. 
7. Audio typing. The prerequisites for being a successful audio typist include the ability to type quickly and accurately. These days almost all typing is done on word processors rather than old-fashioned typewriters. This means that mistakes can usually be rectified later but it is also good practice to try and ensure there are as few mistakes as possible to begin with. Audio typing may involve transcribing from tapes and digital recordings, and may involve material such as medical dictation and board meeting minutes. Recordings can be paused and wound back, but live audio dictation involves typing dictation or dialogue as it occurs and can be even trickier. Audio typing, as opposed to copy typing, will require the typist to provide the grammar and correct spellings. This means that good English skills are essential. Courses are available that are tailored specifically towards audio typing and practice can help you to improve your speed.

Do You Need a Certificate to be a Transcriptionist?

There are no formal education requirements to become a freelance transcriptionist, though most have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some freelance transcriptionists enroll in a certificate program for transcription to learn the basics of transcription software, proper typing techniques, and advanced grammar.

Practice your typing and grammar skills to increase your speed, then seek freelance transcriptionist positions with transcription agencies, law firms, large companies, and health care agencies. Freelance transcriptionists do not need to be certified; employers often only require you to pass a typing speed test.

But certification may make you more competitive in the job market. To become certified as a freelance general transcriptionist, or to specialize in the legal or medical transcription field, you must complete the requirements outlined by a reputable certifying agency.

Where Can I Practice Audio Transcription?

Transcription can be difficult to master, especially in the beginning stages. Many newbies find the concept of listening and then typing up audio files difficult. But with these easy methods, you’ll be accurately speeding through projects in no time.

Practice Typing

While most transcriptionists can type at around 50 words per minute (WPM), make it your goal to type at least 60 WPM. By improving your typing speed, you can get more work done in less time, which seriously increases your earning potential!

Use online typing resources such as KeyBr and Typing Academy for 10 minutes each day. This will help boost your speed, accuracy, and typing muscle memory.

Transcribe a Diverse Range of Audio

As a transcriptionist, you are expected to be a capable typist and have a good grasp of grammar and spelling. But what many people don’t consider are the challenges that can come with deciphering complex audio.

Sadly, it’s not all perfectly recorded podcasts and constantly clear audio! You may have an audio file with many voices speaking at once, strong accents, background noise, or even technical jargon and complex names.

Use websites like GoTranscript, or Listen and Write. They provide a diverse range of transcription tests and general transcription practice pieces to try.

Keep Improving Your Typing Speed & Accuracy

The quicker you can type, the more content you can work through. So if you’ve already hit the 60 WPM mark, push yourself one step further. If you feel you’re at a good typing speed (70+ WPM), try improving your touch typing skills (by not looking at the keyboard while typing). Accuracy is another important component that will help you reduce errors and save time. Accuracy testing websites such as Typing Test can help.

Practice Transcribing Industry-Specific Content

Working on verbatim legal and medical transcriptions can make you familiar with a whole host of industry-specific terminology, phrases, and jargon. Law firms and medical industries rely heavily on transcription services. So, if you’re willing to expand your expertise, you could earn a lot more compared to general transcription jobs alone.

ExpressScribe offers free downloadable transcription software along with medical and legal practice files for you to try.

Evaluate Common Mistakes

We all make mistakes. But for transcribers, it’s the little mistakes that can mean big problems. One word out of place is likely to change the context of a piece. So, accuracy is key. Double- and triple-check your work for typos and grammatical errors. If you make regular slip-ups, write them down and practice the correct way in a separate word document.

10 Online Transcription Jobs That Are Basically Easy Money

Although online transcription is a flexible and, in many ways, simple job, it does require certain skills. According to the Transcription Certification Institute, you’ll need to be accurate, efficient, punctual, and proficient in spelling and grammar in order to become a successful transcriptionist.

You’ll also need to be accustomed to repetition since transcribing often requires replaying audio until you can perfectly capture all of the words. For those who have these skills, we’ve gathered a list of the top online transcription companies you can work for to make some easy money.

1. TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe pays $15 per audio hour, which is different than hourly pay since it corresponds to how long it takes you to transcribe one hour worth of audio. Once you’ve signed up, you can boost your pay rate by completing exams on their website.

2. Rev

To start working for Rev, you’ll need to take a grammar quiz and submit a transcript sample. Once approved, you can start working right away for earnings of up to $1,500 month.

3. Quicktate

Quicktate requires you to take a typing test for each language you’re interested in transcribing. Depending on how you score on that exam, you may also qualify for another job at their more competitive sister company, iDictate.

4. Pacific Transcription

This company hires transcriptionists in several English-speaking countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. among others. Rates per minute of audio depend on factors such as the audio quality, number of speakers, and subject matter.

5. Appen

If you’re hoping to work on a variety of projects, Appen could be the company for you. On top of transcription, they offer opportunities related to social media evaluation, data collection, and speech evaluation.

6. Terescription

Those interested in the TV and entertainment industries should consider Terescription, a company that primarily deals with transcription and logging for production companies. To get hired, it helps if you have their recommended equipment, including a Windows operating system and a transcription foot pedal.

7. Birch Creek Communications

At Birch Creek Communications, you get paid for accuracy. Pay ranges from $0.40 to $1.75 per audio minute, with the upper range given to those with consistent 99% accuracy.

8. Focus Forward

It only takes 48 hours to register as an independent contractor with Focus Forward, assuming you pass their transcription test. After the two-day review period, you can get started right away earning $0.40 per audio minute.

9. Transcription Express

Those interested in the criminal justice system should explore roles at Transcription Express, which specializes in criminal investigation files, witness statements, and more. They prefer applicants who have some experience with court reporting, or multi-speaker transcription in general.

10. GoTranscript

GoTranscript is willing to hire transcriptionists who don’t have prior experience, as long as they have good English skills. Their team will also provide regular feedback on your work, so you can learn on the job.

Earn $30,000 Per Year With Transcription by Typing Out Audio

Transcribers will make in the range of $0.20-$2.50 per audio minute or $12-$150 per audio hour.

Keep in mind that this is based on how long the audio or video file is. It’s not centered around the actual full amount of time it takes to fully transcribe and complete an assignment.

The very best transcribers are known to earn well over $3000 in a month. It can be tough, but it is very possible for you to attain that high amount too with time, if you work at it.

This is more money than you will earn from other online jobs like paid surveys or captcha entry, for instance.

Earning less money than that from transcription is still a very decent goal to achieve, in my opinion. It’s cliché, but shoot for the moon and then if you fail then you will reach the stars instead.

Transcripts are used for all sorts of things in everyday life. It can range from the ordinary to the bizarre (it would surprise you).

Many businesses, organizations and individuals require the transcription services of someone like you.

It makes sense that there are tonnes of paid transcription companies that exist out there because of this great need. We have narrowed down some of the top transcription websites below:

• castingwords
• transcriptdivas 
• doneitnow 
• accutranglobal
• speechpad 
• quicktate 
• rev
• scribie 
• tigerfish 
• transcribeme

12 Places to Find Online Transcription Jobs

Let’s take a tour and see the companies that pay you for Transcription

Transcribeme

TranscribeMe provides the best ‘work from home’ transcription jobs online and is known for its regular payouts and steady workstream. They have the industry’s best rates, with earnings starting at $20 per audio hour and the top monthly earning ranges up to $2,200.

Rev

One of the biggest and most well-known transcription companies. It has tests that you have to complete before you’re hired — the Rev transcription test and grammar quiz — but it seems to always have work available. Typically, you can choose your own schedule and do as much or as little work as you want.

Rev has a reputation for low pay, about 30 cents to $1.10per audio or video minute. But if you want to get started and have a completely flexible schedule while you’re learning and building your skills, this might be a good fit. It’s also a way to try out online transcription jobs and earn some money to see if you enjoy it before you invest in training.

Rev also has options for video captioning work, which pays at 54 cents to $1.10 per audio or video minute, and if you know a foreign language, subtitle work for $1.50 to $3 per audio or video minute.

Audio Transcription Center

The Audio Transcription Center has a higher pay rate, for its freelance transcription jobs: $1 per audio minute. Much of its work focuses on oral history interviews and focus groups.

It has an online application and requires a resume and cover letter as well. It also requires a screenshot of a typing test showing a performance of 75 words per minute or more with at least 98% accuracy. 

Scribie

Scribie is perfect for freelance audio/video transcription work. They pay between $5 to $25 /audio hour, plus you get a bonus of $5 if you complete three audio hours in a month. All their payments are sent via PayPal and they require a verified PayPal account. Also, you need to go through a test and get certified as a transcriber, before you work for them.

Deposition Services, Inc.

This is another option for finding legal transcription jobs. Deposition Services, Inc. provides a two-week online training program for its legal transcription work. It specializes in transcribing depositions, hearings, conferences, and seminars.

Ubiqus

The company offers general, legal, and medical transcription jobs. Ubiqus’ pays per word instead of per audio minute. The rate of pay varies depending on the content of the audio.

It’s hard to compare a per-word rate with a per-minute rate, and there are a lot of variables such as how quickly or slowly someone talks, but it roughly averages out to around $1 per audio minute, give or take.

Quick Tate

It’s a well-known transcription company that does business with consumer giants like Coca-Cola, Wells Fargo, and Ford. Mainly, you’ll find call transcription and auditing jobs on QuickTate.

While other platforms usually require transcribing lectures, videos, and interviews, here, you’ll have to transcribe voicemail, voice memos, phone calls, and speeches. On average, the platform pays about $5 to $10 per audio hour, depending on the job you take up and it pays through pay pal.

Although no experience is required to sign up and begin working with QuickTate, you’ll still have to pass the transcription test. Once you pass the test and register on the site, you can access the job lists and start working at flexible hours.

GMR Transcription

It offers excellent opportunities for freelancers. You can earn about $1000 to $3000 per month, depending on your skills, qualifications, and the difficulty of the audio file you’re assigned.

Moreover, they have a variety of transcription jobs available in English to the Spanish language. They provide transcription services for educational use, legal files, market research companies, and podcasts.

Signing up with GMR Transcription is easy. You’ll have to start by submitting your resume. After that, you’ll get an email about the entry test details. The test is mainly the job you’ll be doing on the site, you’ll have to transcribe an audio file. If you’re selected, they will contact you within one or two weeks. Also, you’ll be on probation until you transcribe at least two video or audio hours accurately.

Daily Transcription

It provides training so you can learn as you go, and it pays weekly via check. Its work tends to focus on video and television transcription, but you’ll also find some legal and academic work.

It pays a higher rate than some of the companies described above, about 75 cents to 85 cents per audio minute. Daily Transcription requires a skills assessment test and a transcription test to get started, and you need to have typing skills of at least 50 words per minute.

Speechpad

SpeechPad is an audio transcription company and most of the work on Speechpad consists of insurance company interviews. If you want to sign up on Speechpad, you should have a typing speed of 40 words per minute. We know what you’re thinking; most beginners don’t know their typing speeds.

Beginners on SpeechPad earn about $0.25 per minute, while more seasoned transcribers can earn up to $1 per minute. The best part is, you can get quick payouts through PayPal every Friday and Tuesday. Besides that, SpeechPad also has a bonus program for transcribers who want to increase their earnings. Transcribers who qualify get a bonus on their weekly payouts. This can help you earn over $20 per hour.

CastingWord

While other companies provide limited opportunities to beginners and prefer experienced transcribers, CastingWords offers an equal platform for all.

When you sign up for the site, you’ll need to give out some personal information like your email or Facebook account. The site will notify you if you’re accepted, and you’ll get access to a list of jobs available.

All the jobs have the time duration of the audio written alongside. This way, you can pick a job depending on the time you have to spare. The site will give you a score on your performance for every task you complete. High-rankers can get jobs with higher payouts. Usually, you can earn about $0.50 for every minute.

Focus Forward

It does all kinds of transcription, from focus groups, meetings, and TV logging. The company pays 40 cents per audio minute, paid weekly via PayPal, with opportunities to participate in higher-paying assignments the longer you’re with the company. It, too, requires applicants to pass a transcription test to quality.

Earn Money Transcribing UK

Transcription work is usually paid per minute.  That’s per minute of audio, not per minute of your time. On average you can earn between 40p-80p per audio minute.  This means, depending on how quickly you can type, you could earn as much as £16 per hour.

For more difficult jobs the pay can be more, and if you are doing real-time transcription then this could as much as £50 per hour.

Joining a transcription agency is not the only way to make money typing from home. You could also offer up your transcription services on freelancer sites. This way the clients come directly to you, and you could potentially make a little more in the long run by cutting out the middle agency taking its cut.

How to Make Money on Transcribeme

TranscribeMe.com is an online service provider that converts audio/video files into text. Headquartered in Berkeley USA, the company supports all major European and Eastern languages.  Since its founding in 2011 the company now has well over 150,000 transcribers worldwide. And because of its increasing fast and efficient workers, the company maintains its position as a market leader.

So if you are looking for some part-time work, TranscribeMe provides a good opportunity to earn money on the side as well as provide career advancement opportunities to those who want to grow in this field.

HOW IT WORKS

1. The first step to become a transcriptionist is to sign up for an account. Click on Join as a Transcriptionist and then on Join our Team to register for a new account. 
2. After filling the application form, you will see an explanation video that explains the whole process of application, how to navigate the website and how to apply for transcription jobs.
3. Next you will have to pass a transcriber exam, where you have to listen to a short audio and transcribe it. The exam lasts 5 minutes and upon successful completion you will be excepted  into the program and can start earning immediately.
4.  So once your account activates you will see you workhub or your home page. To get started you will have to choose a category for work like Medical, Legal, General etc. Select General if you are not familiar with jargon of the other fields.
5. To start working on transcription jobs, click on the Jobs tab. Here you will find audio/video to transcribe and on the right side of your screen you will have a list of instructions to help you get the job done. Once you have transcribed the file, click Submit and Exit.
6. Once your work is submitted, the QA (Quality Assurance) agents will proofread your work for possible spelling or grammatical errors. If all goes well and your work is accepted, your earnings will be transferred to your account.
7. Lastly, make sure to keep checking the Jobs tab to look for new jobs.

GMR Transcription

GMR Transcription only enlists U.S. residents as freelance typists and translators. That generally means that the company pays better-than-average rates. And freelancers who have worked with the company rate it highly.

However, we have a few concerns mainly because GMR Translation is cagey about freelancer pay. The company’s FAQs say pay rates are only disclosed after you’re hired. Moreover, there’s a reference in the site’s FAQs about a “probationary period.” Specifically, in response to “is there a probationary period for new typists,” the site says: “Yes, all new typists must complete 2 hours worth of audio before receiving paid work. During this probation period, we will be carefully proofreading your work to ensure that your transcripts are up to our standards.”

Notably, other sites require transcriptionists to take a test to be accepted. However, this appears to say that the first two audio hours that you transcribe for GMR’s paying clients are unpaid. Given that each audio hour could take a transcriptionist 2 to 6 hours to complete, this is a significant amount of unpaid work. Calls and emails to GMR asking for clarification were not returned.

Translators set their own rates, according to GMR’s website.

Rev Transcription

Rev is the largest and most popular voice-to-text service in the world with more than 170,000 customers globally. Recognized widely as the most accurate and fastest service of its kind, Rev helps anyone capture insights from voice, connect with audiences and turbocharge productivity.

Rev is powered by the largest and most vibrant community of freelancers in the industry, who use artificial intelligence tools to turn speech into text at a game-changing cost. The company is obsessed with making the power of voice accessible to everyone, all while creating fulfilling work from home jobs.

Rev provides fast, high-quality, accurate turnarounds. It’s a good service for writers, researchers, freelancers and small business owners. However, if you’ve fewer financial resources, or you’re happy to spend more time editing a manuscript, you can save money by using AI-powered transcription services like Otter.ai or Temi.

Medical Transcription Companies

Transcribing exam notes is a necessary part of running a medical office, even after a long day of seeing patients.

Unfortunately for small practices, hiring an on-site transcriptionist may not be practical—especially when needs change from week to week.

The best (and most affordable) option for these situations is to outsource medical transcription needs to a third-party.

By using a trusted medical transcription service, you gain flexibility and save money. You also get the benefits of a professional transcriptionist.

Here are the transcription services we believe will give you the most accurate transcriptions every time.

1. Acusis

Acusis is one of the best medical transcription services out there. Not only do they give you accurate transcriptions, they’re also very popular.

In addition to reliability, this service has flexible usage options. Use the features that are right for you and don’t worry about the rest. You can upload your audio files through a traditional telephone line or through an iPhone app.

Acusis provides the highest possible levels of security, protecting your sensitive medical data all the way through the transcription chain.

2. Aquity Solutions

Aquity can handle a big volume of work with quick turnaround.

How? Simple: They have a good amount of talented transcriptionists to handle big workloads.

They’re also one of the largest medical transcription services on the market.

For those who need the transcription service to fit into a particular budget, Aquity can help you, as it offers multiple price points, levels of accuracy, and turnaround times.

3. EHR Transcriptions

EHR provides one of the easiest medical transcription services to access and use, so medical personnel who want to keep things simple will appreciate it. However, it must sacrifice advanced customization features to maintain an easy-to-use interface, so it’s not the best option for those who have advanced needs for their transcripts.

EHR does provide an excellent level of accuracy and file security, so you can trust the service you’ll receive.

4. Med-Scribe

Med-Scribe offers one of the fastest services. They guarantee your transcription in less than an hour.

As an added bonus, this service does not charge extra when you need to take advantage of its fastest turnaround times.

Unfortunately, Med-Scribe has some above average setup fees for the majority of new clients, unless they commit to providing a high level of work. Its overall pricing is also above average versus other services, so unless you need extremely fast results, this service probably is overkill for you.

5. MTBC

This is a no-brainer if your practice is already leveraging MTBC.

If you are a customer of the MTBC practice management software or the MTBC EMR software, you will receive a significant discount in pricing with the MTBC medical transcription service.

In fact, your cost is reduced to half if you use them already.

For those who don’t use other MTBC products, you can use the MTBC transcription service at the regular price rate. This service requires no contracts, but it also doesn’t provide a lot of information about how it achieves its projected accuracy rate.

Transcription Companies in Kenya

Let’s dive into some of the best websites that can help you make money online in Kenya through transcription. Most of these sites pay through PayPal and the good news is that you can withdraw money from your PayPal account to your mpesa.

Speechpad Transcription

The awesome thing about transcribing with Speechpad is that as s a transcriber, you will be paid twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) without worrying of earning withdrawal limits. Payment is through PayPal.

Castingwords Transcribing

Work from home in Kenya by transcribing for Castingwords. Transcribe Audio, Videos and captions. Visit castingwords.com to apply.

Gotranscript

Become a transcriptionist with Gotranscript and make a living online. To create an account visit gotranscript.com

Scribie Transcription

Scribie is a transcription service provider that was initially known us CallGraph. They allow Kenyans to apply and work from their homes. Visit scribie.com to apply

TranscribeMe

If you are beginner, this is the best transcription site to use. You don’t need any transcription experience to apply. To sign up visit transcribeme.com

Crowdsurf Transcription

If you are good in speaking English then crowdsurf is the best place for transcribers. The applicants to have media and audio transcription review experience to work for them. You will be paid per completed task. To apply visit crowdsurfwork.com

Rev Transcription

Start earning money online with Rev Transcription jobs. To become a freelancer with Rev, you will need to do an online grammar transcription test. The application process is not easy but if you happen to pass their tests you will not miss some work to do as they have plenty of well-paying jobs.

4 Best Transcription Companies

1. Rev

Rev provides a range of audio and video transcription services, including captions, subtitles, and translations for all types of audio and video files.

Straightforward transcriptions can be completed in a few hours and come with a very high accuracy rate of over 99%. Captions and subtitles for videos are also available as a service, and are FCC, ADA, and Section 508. 

Read Also: Quick Tips On How To Get Paid To Read Emails

Rev also provide a foreign subtitles service for video, which is an additional feature other services tend not to offer directly.

What also makes Rev stand out is that it manages to achieve one of the best balances between transcription speed and error rate. In terms of speed it’s relatively fast, rather than blindingly fast, but where it really comes up trumps is in its low error rate.

2. Quicktate

Quicktate is a general transcription company that hires transcriptionists to type voice memos, letters, speeches, etc. No prior experience required as long as you pass the transcription test.

They have a flexible working schedule. You work whenever you want and however much you want. You basically just log in and start transcribing. Pay is 1/4 cent per word for general and legal transcription and 1/2 cent per word for medical transcription.

They pay weekly via PayPal.

3. Appen

Appen Global (initially Appenscribe) usually has data entry and remote transcription jobs. The company is known for hiring raters and general transcriptionists to work remotely.

This is a good starting point for beginners who don’t have much transcription experience.

But, they have simple transcription tests that you must take before getting assigned real work. You will need to commit 10 hours per week once you are hired.

If you are a multilingual speaker that’s an added advantage. You will get more work hence earning more money. Unlike other online transcription companies we have discussed so far, Appen Global’s work is not consistent. 

Signing up with multiple companies will be a good idea while working here.

4. VITAC

Formerly Caption Colorado, VItac is a work-from-home company that hires transcriptionists and captioners but they prefer US-based contractors.