If you want a job that lets you work from home at your own speed, without having to go through a lot of training, then perhaps you should consider online transcription.
Doing freelance transcription (whether medical, legal, radiology, general, entry level, or otherwise) is something you can start straight away, but will get better with practice.
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What is a Transcription Job?
Transcription is a form of data entry.
In its basic form, transcription is typing directly from dictation or an audio file, though there are different kinds of transcription such as general, legal, and medical transcription.
It helps if you are already a fast and accurate typist, though there are many free online resources to help you practice your typing and get faster.
All you need is the ability to understand what is being said, and copy it directly into your computer.
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The dictation source may be a lecture, a conference call, a podcast, or simply someone taking notes and wanting them transcribed.
You don’t need special training or a college degree.
How much do you make as a transcriber?
Because you can work at your own speed direct from home at any time of the day or night, transcription is a flexible job.
You are usually paid by the length of the audio, so the faster you can type the more you will earn, although you must make sure that your typing is accurate.
Typically you might earn anywhere from $10 to $25 per hour you work, depending on the kind of transcription you’re doing and the company you work for.
Top freelance transcription jobs
Thankfully, there are a few dozen legitimate and trusted companies that do hire people to work from home as transcribers.
If you’re interested in earning money as a transcriptionist, these 25 companies are worth a look.
1. Tigerfish
Tigerfish is one of the bigger companies in this field known for its work at home positions.
The company has been around since 1989.
It offers many different types of transcription work, including law enforcement, focus groups, and interviews.
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- Where to apply: Tigerfish.com/applicants
2. SpeakWrite
SpeakWrite is an online transcription company that hires transcribers in the U.S. and Canada as independent contractors to work from home.
According to the company, they serve over 65,000 legal, government, law enforcement, and other private sector clients.
Their top contractors earn up to $3000 per month while the minimum earners make around $300 per month.
- Where to apply: Speakwrite.com/transcription-jobs/
3. Transcribe Me
TranscribeMe is a good place to start as a beginner, as they do not require experience.
The pay rate is about $20 per audio hour. That’s $.33 per audio minute.
You get paid via PayPal.
- Where to apply: Workhub.transcribeme.com/Account/Register
4. Verbal Ink
Verbalink requires you to pass a test to be accepted, as well as submit your resume.
But they have a good reputation, so it’s worth trying to get in with them.
- Where to apply: Verbalink.com/jobs
5. Transcribe Team
Transcribeteam is always looking for new workers to work from home.
The pay is not bad, at about $.45 per audio minute.
Once again you get paid through PayPal.
- Where to apply: Transcribeteam.com/workers
6. Birch Creek Communications
Birch Creek is a good company to work for, as it allows beginners to work on projects that other companies may require selected experience for.
They do a lot of corporate and legal transcription jobs, doing audio files for Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Immigration, as well as legal and corporate clients.transcription.
The pay depends on the type of project that you do for them.
- Where to apply: Birchcreekcommunications.com/3894/index.html
7. 3Play Media
As an independent contractor, you decide which projects you want to work on, how much you want to work and when and where you want to work.
You have to undergo a series of proficiency tests, need to be able to type at 75 words per minute, and also have to be able to do Internet research.
In return, you should be able to earn between $10 and $30 per hour depending on the project and your efficiency.
- Where to apply: 3Playmedia.com/company/jobs/transcript-editor
8. AccuTran Global
Native English speakers looking for part-time work can try AccuTran Global.
They pay out through PayPal or by check.
- Where to apply: Accutranglobal.com
9. Transcriptions ‘N’ Translations
You may be interested in working for Transcriptions ‘N’ Translations, which operates out of Miami.
They tend to have big projects with companies like the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.
- Where to apply: Tntmiami.com/contact/join-out-team
10. Casting Words
They hire freelance workers in from pretty much most countries. They actually have an extensive list of countries they accept workers from on their FAQ page.
Pay rate varies according to the quality of the recording, from $.60 per audio minute for a good recording up to $1.20 if the audio is poor quality.
They pay via PayPal.
- Where to apply: Workers.castingwords.com/turkers/index
11. Alice Darling Audio Transcription Services
Alice Darling has a great variety of clients, so chances are you’ll be interested in your work.
Expect to see transcription from the fields of finance, biotechnology, medicine, technology, science, advertising, academia, and law.
You need to be able to type at 70 words per minute to qualify.
- Where to apply: Alicedarling.com/about/employment.html
12. GMR Transcription
GMR Transcription has a constant need for transcription and doesn’t require any previous experience. You do have to pass a test, though.
One of the jobs, in the medical field, actually requires you to transcribe a minimum of 60 audio minutes per day in order to be considered.
According to the company, they “do not disclose pay rates until you are hired. The pay rates are based on the turnaround time, number of speakers, and quality of audio.”
- Where to apply: Gmrtranscription.com/careers.aspx
13. 1-888-TYPE-IT-UP
As a beginner, you will probably find the best pay rate with 1-888-TYPE-IT-UP, which was formerly known as Verbal Fusion.
This is one of the highest-paying transcription companies on the Internet.
Their lowest rate starts at around $36 per audio hour.This is mainly for cases where their own clients only pay $1 per audio minute or $60 per audio hour.
That said, their pay rate can go as high as $3 per audio minute or $180 per audio hour.
You need to be a US resident and fill out a questionnaire, then wait until they call you. Then there is a short test before you can start working.
- Where to apply: 1888typeitup.com/transcription-jobs/
14. Appenscribe
Appenscribe hires both pros and beginners alike.
You get paid about half a cent per word.
They send out payments every two weeks.
You can join by signing up and passing two small tests.
- Where to apply: Appenonline.appen.com.au/register
15. Crowdsurf
Crowdsurf runs through Mechanical Turk and gives you the chance of short transcriptions and captions.
You have to join Mechanical Turk, and the pay comes through Mechanical Turk too.
- Where to apply: Crowdsurfwork.com/get-started/
16. American High-Tech Transcription and Reporting
This website offers work with serious agencies.
It provides translation and transcription work for governments, law enforcement, corporations, and other organizations, and deals with both work-at-home and on-site transcriptionists.
To register you have to pass FBI and state criminal background checks, including fingerprints, which you have to pay for.
- Where to apply: Htsteno.com/independent-contractors.html
17. Daily Transcription
This company is always looking for professional and novice freelance transcribers.
The work is legal, corporate, and entertainment and they expect same day turnaround.
To apply, visit the page below and fill out a short form.
- Where to apply: Dailytranscription.com/careers/
18. Terescription
Working purely for the entertainment industry, Terescription pays 7¢ per line for transcribing a single person interview, and a little more if it is several people being interviewed.
A foot pedal is required.
If you can type at 70 words per minute, then you can expect to earn between $12 and $15 per hour.
- Where to apply: Terescription.com/site/terescriber/terescriberSignUp.aspx
19. Neal R. Gross
A Washington, DC based court reporting and transcription company, Neal R. Gross & Co. has been around for over 35 years.
They hire legal transcribers to work from home.
You have to be able to type 60 words per minute and work at least 30 hours per week.
To apply you must submit a resume and cover letter online.
- Where to apply: Nealrgross.com/transcriber-employment-details
20. RNK Transcription
RNK does legal and entertainment work.
You will be required to take a test of your transcription skills before being accepted.
If you are interested, you can send your resume via email (email address found on the page linked below.)
- Where to apply: Rnkproductions.com/#!vstc1=job-opportunities
21. Ubiqus
Ubiqus has a variety of work for novice transcriptionists. You may do medical transcriptions or even summaries.
You can play and transcribe various standard audio formats such as MP3, WMA, and WAV.
They only hire U.S.-based, native English-speaking transcriptionists.
Although not a requirement, having a foot pedal and headset is recommended.
Everybody starts out at the same rate of pay, which is an advantage if you are a beginner but not so good if you have some experience to offer.
You get paid every two weeks.
- Where to apply: Ubiqus.com/contact-us/jobs
22. Scribie
This is perfect for freelance Audio/Video transcription work.
You can work from anywhere in the world.
You can earn between $5 to $20/audio hour.
You get a bonus of $10 if you do more than three audio hours in a month.
You will be paid by PayPal.
- Where to apply: Scribie.com/freelance-transcription
23. Bam!
If you’re a fan of the entertainment industry, this is a company that works with many companies within the industry.
BAM is a Los Angeles based transcription company that has been servicing the film and television industry since 1990.
They don’t have an online application form, but you can email them at bam@bamtranscription.com to get started.
- Where to apply: Bamtranscription.com/contact.html
24. Athreon
Their transcriptionists process work for a wide variety of clients in a variety of industries including medical facilities, legal firms, and insurance companies.
You are paid based on the amount of lines you type, including lines produced with word expanders. You’ll have access to the line counts at the end of each report.
You get paid weekly via PayPal.
- Where to apply: Athreon.com/transcriptionists.php
25. Get Transcribed
Get Transcribed uses both transcribers and reviewers, who check the transcription work.
If you do the transcription, expect to get about $.23 per audio minute.
As a reviewer, you will be paid about $.12 per audio minute, basically minimum-wage, though you should be able to play the audio straight through when checking.
You get paid through PayPal, and can request money when you get a minimum of $100.
- Where to apply:
http://www.gettranscribed.com/recruiting.html
Takeaway
If you like the freedom of working from home, and can accept the responsibility of meeting some deadlines, then transcription may be the answer for you.
Provided you turn in the work as required, you can make your own schedule, even working in the middle of the night if you want.
It’s a flexible job that offers fair compensation. Some people report earning as much as $25 per hour as freelance transcriptionists.
I’ve been transcribing for 5 years. I recommend Scribie and the only requirement is a verified paypal account and they also accept beginners. Thank me later :)
I am a Medical Transcriptionist with 10 years experience. I am willing to work from home if any job is provided related to transcription.
Do any of these companies provide the transcription equipment needed, or do you need to provide your own?
some have online software that you can use. Some require you to have the basics tools needed.
\”Typically you might earn anywhere from $10 to $25 per hour you work,\”
There is virtually zero possibility you\’re going to earn even $10 an hour when a company is only paying you $20 to $30 per audio hour since you can expert to spend at least 5 and typically 7 or 8 hours to transcribe and proofread an hour of audio. Use that as a guide when choosing who to work for.
The standard for professionals is no less than $1 per audio minute or $60 per audio hour. If that\’s what they clients are paying to these companies, then they need to raise the prices to their clients instead of expecting you to work for slave wages.
I can understand why those who are inexperienced might be willing to accept somewhat less than $1 per minute, but 20 to 45 cents per audio minute? Your time is worth more than that even if you\’re inexperienced. It\’s not even minimum wage–not even close.