As a transcriptionist, working from home is an excellent opportunity for flexible hours and a reliable income. If you’re a beginner, beautiful. If you are an experienced typist with strong grammar skills, this may be a rewarding career for you.
Once you are proficient in reading and writing English and have a good typing speed, you can apply for jobs.
So, why not try transcription if you’re disciplined and like working independently?
This post covers the fundamentals of online transcription jobs for beginners and the knowledge and tools you need to get started.
Read on to learn about the top 13 online transcription jobs for beginners.
Table of contents
- Who is a Transcriptionist?
- What are Transcription Jobs?
- How to Become a Transcriptionist
- Benefits of Being an Online Transcriptionist
- How Much Does a Beginner Transcriptionist Make?
- Overview of the Best Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
- List of the 13 Best Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
- How to succeed as an online transcriptionist
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Who is a Transcriptionist?
A transcriptionist listens to an audio or video recording, then types everything that is said accurately and provides a clean document free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Some transcription companies require precision down to every “uh” and “um,” so it’s essential to have excellent attention to detail in this job. You may be asked to transcribe podcasts, interviews, business meetings, and classroom lectures.
What are Transcription Jobs?
Many people who work from home begin their careers with transcription work because it is often part-time, doesn’t need years of expertise, and pays well.
Additionally, working as an independent contractor captioning videos or taking dictation is typical.
One of three categories best describes the majority of freelance transcription work:
- General transcription
- Medical transcription
- Legal transcription
No specific tools are required for this operation, although if things start to get rocky, you should acquire a foot pedal. To increase the quality of your transcription services and speed up production, you may also employ software like Express Scribe.
And while using an excellent job board that addresses several careers might be successful in some cases, you’ll often find that it works best to concentrate on websites that specialize in the field while looking for transcription jobs.
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How to Become a Transcriptionist
You can get started as a remote transcriptionist without training if you have a specific skill set and the essential equipment required to perform the job.
Once you’ve gained experience, you can take on higher-paying jobs by investing in certifications qualifying you for specialized roles, such as medical and legal transcriptionists.
Here’s what a beginner needs to know to get started in an online transcription career:
Required skills and abilities
To get started as a general online transcriptionist, it’s essential to have the following skills:
- Ability to type fast
- Ability to type accurately
- Good grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Computer proficiency
- Good hearing
- Strong concentration skills
- Strong time-management skills
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Equipment/software
Online transcription jobs don’t require expensive equipment, but you should have a computer with high-speed internet and word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
Most companies will advise you to purchase transcription software to slow down the audio so it’s easier to catch every word.
Transcription software usually includes a headset to improve sound quality and a foot pedal to play, forward, and rewind the audio without taking your hands off your keyboard.
Some transcription companies may ask you to download certain apps to access audio files. One such account is Amazon MTurk account. Ensure you understand how to access files and deliver your finished documents before accepting an assignment.
Experience
Many transcription companies will hire freelance transcribers without prior experience as long as they have the skills. You may be asked to submit a sample transcription or complete a test if you’re a beginner. General transcription training programs are also offered online, which can help you land that first job.
Optional certifications
While they can hire you for a transcription job without formal training or experience, certain higher-paying positions require certification, such as medical or legal transcription.
- Medical certification: Transcriptionist work in the medical field requires a one-year certification program or an associate degree in medical transcription. Courses include training in health care documentation, medical language, and anatomy.
- Legal certification: To work as a legal transcriptionist, you must enter a training program that teaches legal systems and terminology, documentation, and research. You can also earn an associate degree as a legal administrative assistant instead of taking a certificate program.
- Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS): This certification will help make you more competitive in the online transcription job market. Transcribe Anywhere is one company that offers online courses and certification.
Benefits of Being an Online Transcriptionist
Flexible hours and the ability to work at your own pace are some of the main benefits of online transcription jobs for beginners. Unless a company specifies certain work times, transcriptionists can set their hours.
However, some businesses ask transcribers to complete a specific daily word count, and some assignments may require you to meet a specified deadline.
Discuss any expected hours or volume of work with your prospective employer before you begin a project.
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How Much Does a Beginner Transcriptionist Make?
The pay a newbie transcriptionist receives will vary depending on their experience and the company they work for.
However, amateurs often expect to make $3 to $11 per hour.
Even though this may not seem like much, remember that most transcription firms don’t require any prior expertise, so you may start earning money the day you join. Additionally, your income may rise significantly as you gain experience as a transcriptionist.
The following may also influence A beginner transcriptionist’s earnings:
- The length of the audio.
- The time to complete and return your work.
- Your proficiency and typing speed.
- Using specialized software for transcription.
- The reputation of the transcribing company, as the better it is, the more likely you will receive good compensation.
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Overview of the Best Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
Here is an overview of the best online transcription jobs for beginners.
- TranscribeMe!
- Rev
- Scribie
- Tigerfish
- Daily Transcription
- Go Transcript
- Crowdsurf
- CastingWords
- GMR Transcription
- Quicktate
- Speechpad
- Babble Type
- 3Play Media
List of the 13 Best Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
#1. TranscribeMe!
- Rate: $15-$22 per audio hour
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass an English exam and training course; use Google Chrome as your browser
The transcriber training course, TranscribeMe, allows beginners to start without experience or special equipment. They use WorkHub, where transcriptionists can choose audio files to complete on their schedule.
You can take on as much work as you’d like, and the typical length of the transcriptions is between two and four minutes.
The method is simple: as one clip ends, the next starts loading automatically until you decide to stop.
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#2. Rev
- Rate: $0.40-$0.75 per audio minute
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass their test
Rev is a reputable business that provides online transcription jobs for beginners, yet passing their skills test can take time and effort.
Any aspiring freelance writer should take advantage of Rev’s ongoing need for transcriptionists with exceptional English skills and attention to precision.
Rev offers audio and video transcription for beginners who pass the initial application process. Transcriptionists can claim any available work.
#3. Scribie
- Rate: $5-$25 per audio hour
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass their test
Scribie hires experienced and beginner transcriptionists. However, there is a waiting list to start working as a freelancer. They pay a bonus for those who complete three hours of audio transcription each pay period.
At Scribie, it subjects each audio recording to a lengthy transcribing process that involves several employees.
You may introduce yourself to them on their website’s contact page, so call them and let them know who you are!
#4. Tigerfish
- Rate: $0.03-$0.04 per line transcribed
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Express Scribe software; application involving transcription tests
Tigerfish is a well-established transcription service company with various audio work, including police investigations and interviews.
They provide online transcription jobs for beginners and have been around since 1989.
Before being hired, you must pass three examinations that last five minutes each and take an average of twenty minutes to complete.
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#5. Daily Transcription
- Rate: $0.75-$0.85 per audio minute
- Payment type: Check
- Requirements: Type 50 words per minute; pass a skills assessment and transcription test
Daily Transcription, as the name implies, submits transcriptions on the same day. So work here tends to be done at a faster rate. There is no fixed amount of work, and you can’t rely on this site to stay busy.
They offer different transcription services, including legal, entertainment, and financial, and they always need transcribers. You must submit a resume and pass a test before you can transcribe for them.
#6. Go Transcript
- Rate: $0.60 per audio minute
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass their test
Go Transcript offers online transcription jobs for beginners with no word count expectation.
They allow you to decide when and on which projects you want to focus your efforts.
Go Transcript is the ideal choice if you’re looking for variety.
#7. Crowdsurf
- Rate: Undisclosed
- Payment type: PayPal or direct deposit
- Requirements: Pass their assessment; Amazon MT account
CrowdSurf is a network of independent transcribers who produce subtitles for deaf and multilingual viewers. Here, you can locate quick transcription jobs that pay right away.
Transcriptionists who write for Crowdsurf must use Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform to find and complete tasks. Work hours and projects are flexible.
#8. CastingWords
- Rate: $0.085-$1.00 or more per audio minute
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass a test; work in a particular state; use Amazon Mechanical Turk (MT)
CastingWords uses the MT platform for some jobs, so you can pick up different audio projects if you’re familiar with this software. Once you’re approved as a transcriptionist for CastingWords, you’ll choose from audio files and complete them on a flexible schedule. This service hires freelance contractors only from specific states.
#9. GMR Transcription
- Rate: Undisclosed
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass an initial test
GMR offers one of the best online transcription jobs for beginners.
One thing to know is that there is a trial period during which you are only paid if you have transcribed at least two hours of audio. To continue working with GMR, you must complete at least four hours of audio each month.
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#10. Quicktate
- Rate: $0.0025-$0.005 per word
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass a background check and supply three references; pay a $20 fee for a background check
One of the most reputable businesses that provide online transcription jobs for beginners is Quicktate.
Quicktate and its sister company, iDictate, hire transcribers to work on either short- or long-form audio files. One application will allow you to work for either company.
#11. Speechpad
- Rate: $0.25-$2.50 per audio hour
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass a typing and grammar test
Speechpad provides one of the best online transcription jobs for beginners.
Once you pass their tests, you can earn ratings that will help determine what audio transcripts are available to you. You can choose your projects and may qualify for higher-paying work.
#12. Babble Type
- Rate: Undisclosed
- Payment type: PayPal
- Requirements: Pass their testing and application process
Babbletype hires native English speakers for transcription, editing, and translation.
Babbletype is constantly seeking new talent.
The market research studies that Babbletype specializes in necessitate high accuracy. You’ll be a vital team member even though you’ll work independently.
#13. 3Play Media
- Rate: Pay per project
- Payment type: Check or direct deposit
- Requirements: Pass proficiency assessments
Last on our list of the best online transcription jobs for beginners is 3Play Media.
Both English and Spanish transcriptionist positions are available through 3Play Media. Additionally, they need editors to fix inaccurate transcriptions.
Although they pay by individual project, 3Play Media equates this to an average of $10-$30 per hour. They offer flexible hours and work amounts.
How to succeed as an online transcriptionist
You can make a great first impression in this field in specific ways. If you want to excel at this job and increase your earning potential, keep these things in mind:
- Be accurate. Ensure your transcripts are clean and you’ve caught every spoken word on your audio file. When you’re a beginner, accuracy is more important than speed.
- Meet your deadlines. When starting as an online transcriber, finishing an assignment might take longer than expected. Allow yourself plenty of time to meet your deadlines.
- Advertise online. Once you have experience, you can create a website online to boost yourself as a transcriber. You can post to social media with links to your website.
FAQs
Average ₹25,683 per month.
While they can hire you for a transcription job without formal training or experience, certain higher-paying positions require certification, such as medical or legal transcription. Transcriptionist work in the medical field requires a one-year certification program or an associate degree in medical transcription.
YES, YOU CAN! And in the most accessible ways, like using different apps such as Live transcribe.
Get Started.
Grow Your Skills.
Pick a Focus.
Get Organized.
Get Support.
Be prepared to work from home.
Facing Challenges Head On.
Conclusion
Anyone who can read and write English can do transcription. Although, it isn’t for everybody.
This job can be ideal for you if you’re diligent, have excellent listening skills, and are ready to increase your typing speed.
There are various online transcription jobs for beginners. Although most positions require no experience, the best transcription jobs are serious business.
Consider applying for a remote transcription job to work from home.
References
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