12 Best Transcription Jobs for Beginners

Ready to dive into the world of remote work?

Transcription could be your ticket.

Discover 12 online transcription jobs perfect for beginners.

These opportunities offer flexibility and the chance to earn from anywhere with a strong internet connection.

What are the Benefits of Doing Transcription Jobs?

Work-Life Balance – Achieve a better balance between your personal and professional life by setting your own hours.

Cost-Effective – Save on commuting expenses and office attire.

Skill Development – Enhance your listening, typing, and accuracy skills.

Variety of Projects – Experience a range of transcription tasks, from medical records to podcasts.

Remote Work Opportunities – Work from anywhere with a stable internet connection.

How to Become a Work-from-Home Transcriptionist?

• Leverage Your Typing Skills – If you have a fast typing speed, becoming a transcriptionist could be a great fit for you.
• Find a Hiring Company – Research companies that hire remote transcriptionists. Many of them prefer online applications.
• Start Your Remote Career – Begin your work-from-home journey by applying for transcription jobs.

What are the Steps You Need to Take?

Find Your Next Transcription Gig

Explore our curated list of top-rated online transcription companies, carefully selected to provide you with the best opportunities. These companies offer a variety of projects, from medical records to podcasts, allowing you to find work that aligns with your interests and skills.

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How to Make Money with TranscribeMe

Apply Now

Don’t wait. Submit your application to multiple companies to increase your chances of finding work quickly. The more applications you send, the higher your likelihood of receiving offers.

Prepare for Tests

Be ready to take transcription tests as part of the application process.

These tests assess your typing speed, accuracy, and ability to understand and transcribe audio accurately.

Practice typing and listening exercises to improve your skills and increase your chances of passing the tests.

Understand Payment Models

Familiarize yourself with different pay structures, such as per audio hour or per audio minute.

Some companies may also offer bonuses for high-quality work or meeting deadlines.

Understanding these payment models will help you estimate your potential earnings and choose companies that offer the most favorable rates.

Estimate Your Income

Calculate your potential earnings based on the transcription rate and your productivity.

Consider factors such as your typing speed, your ability to understand different accents and dialects, and the complexity of the audio files you’ll be transcribing.

By accurately estimating your income, you can set realistic financial goals and make informed decisions about your transcription career.

1. Crowdsurf

CrowdSurf is a media transcriptionist job that creates high-quality captions for videos. 

Requirements:

• Work Minimum of 20 tasks per week
• Maintain a 3.5 QC score
• 18+ years of age
• Mac or PC
• Pass Tests

Pay Rate:

• $0.10 per task

Pay Frequency:

• 3 times per week

Advantages

You can also work as much or as little as you wish. Depending on how fast you type, there’s definitely an opportunity for extra income. 

Disadvantages

Crowdsurf gives you an online training manual to follow before you can start working. It’s unclear whether these manuals are designed for newbies or advanced transcriptionists. 

They are complicated and difficult to follow, even after several attempts. The good news is that once you do get through them, you’ll be up and running fairly quickly.

2. Daily Transcription

Daily Transcription is a company offering remote transcription work for independent contractors. They focus on transcribing audio and video content for various purposes, including entertainment, legal, and educational fields.

Requirements:

• Computer: Mac or PC
• Transcription Software: Express Scribe or oTranscribe.com account (not provided by Daily Transcription)
• Headset: Good quality headphones for clear audio playback
• Foot Pedal (Optional): Infinity USB Foot Pedal for enhanced control (not required)
• Location: Resident of the US, Canada, UK, or Australia
• Age: 18 years or older

Pay:

• Rate: $0.75 to $1.10 per audio minute (competitive rates for clean audio)
• Frequency: Weekly payouts

Advantages:

• High-Quality Audio: Clear recordings make transcription easier and potentially faster, allowing for increased productivity and income.
• Variety of Work: Daily Transcription offers diverse projects across different fields, catering to various interests.
• Competitive Rates: The company provides competitive pay per audio minute, potentially rewarding efficiency.

Disadvantages:

• Project Availability: Work may not be consistent, so this opportunity might not be ideal for those seeking guaranteed workloads.

3. BabbleType

BabbleType is a transcription company known for its high standards and commitment to quality. They carefully select transcribers who demonstrate efficiency and accuracy in their work.

Requirements:

• Residency: US Resident (excluding California)
• Equipment: Mac or PC

Pay:

• Rate: $0.45 per audio minute
• Frequency: Weekly payouts

Advantages:

• Supportive Management: BabbleType offers dedicated support from management, providing guidance and assistance whenever needed.
• Training and Development: Benefit from their resources to enhance your transcription skills and improve your accuracy.

Disadvantages:

• Lower Pay Rates: Compared to some other companies, BabbleType’s pay rates may be lower, especially for beginners.
• Audio Quality: The quality of audio files can vary, potentially affecting your transcription speed and accuracy.
• Performance Standards: Maintain a high accuracy rate to avoid deactivation of your account if it falls below a certain threshold.

4. eScribers

eScribers offers a remote transcription opportunity that allows you to work from home on your own schedule. They strive to provide customers with top-quality transcription services at affordable rates.

Requirements:

• Computer: Windows PC
• Software: Microsoft Word
• Residency: US Resident

Pay:

• Rate: $1.25 per page
• Frequency: Weekly payouts

Advantages:

• Flexible Work: Enjoy the freedom of working from home and setting your own hours.
• Skill Development: Gain valuable transcription experience, which can be beneficial for pursuing court reporting certification.
• Professional Feedback: Receive feedback from experienced professionals to improve your transcription skills.

Disadvantages:

• Inconsistent Work: eScribers does not guarantee a steady or consistent flow of work.

5. Rev

Rev offers a remote transcription opportunity that requires only a computer and an internet connection. If you’re looking to earn extra income from home, Rev could be a great fit.

Requirements:

• Skill Assessment: Pass a grammar quiz.
• Residency: US Resident (excluding California), Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, UK, Australia, India, Netherlands, or South Africa.
• Equipment: Mac or PC.

Pay:

• Rate: $0.30 to $1.10 per audio minute.
• Frequency: Weekly payouts.

Advantages:

• Flexibility: Enjoy a flexible schedule and work at your own pace, as long as you meet deadlines.
• User-Friendly Platform: Rev’s platform is designed to be easy to learn and navigate, making it accessible for beginners.
• Competitive Rates: Earn competitive pay rates for your transcription work.

Disadvantages:

• Rigorous Standards: Rev has strict quality standards, and your earnings may be affected if you don’t meet their expectations.

6. Landmark Transcription

Landmark Transcription specializes in converting audio files into written transcripts, providing valuable research tools. Researchers submit their audio files to Landmark, where they are transcribed by a team of skilled professionals.

Requirements:

• Past Performance: Pass previous transcription tests or have relevant experience.
• Equipment: Mac or PC

Pay:

• Rate: Pay rates vary depending on factors such as project complexity and workload.
• Frequency: Bi-weekly payments

Advantages:

• Flexibility: Enjoy a flexible work schedule that allows you to balance your commitments.
• Transparency: Benefit from clear and transparent compensation policies.

Disadvantages:

• Project Availability: Work may not be consistent, and there might be periods of waiting for new projects to become available.
• Income Fluctuations: Your earnings may vary depending on the number and complexity of projects assigned.

7. Tigerfish

Tigerfish offers a straightforward opportunity to start transcribing. With a simple application process, you can quickly begin earning.

Requirements:

• Skill Assessment: Pass a transcription test.
• Software: Express Scribe (transcription software)
• Residency: US Resident
• Equipment: Windows computer

Pay:

• Rate: $0.04 per line
• Frequency: Weekly payments

Advantages:

• Consistent Work: Tigerfish provides a steady flow of transcription projects.
• Timely Payments: Expect regular and punctual payments.

Disadvantages:

• Strict Guidelines: Adhere to their specific style guidelines, which primarily focus on formatting. Carefully review these guidelines to ensure accurate work.

8. TranscribeMe!

TranscribeMe! is a platform that connects transcriptionists with clients seeking transcription services. They also offer opportunities for career advancement within the company for experienced transcriptionists.

Requirements:

• Equipment: Mac or PC
• Skill Assessment: Pass a transcription exam

Pay:

• Rate: $15 – $22 per audio hour
• Frequency: Weekly payments

Advantages:

• Collaborative Environment: The management team is open to feedback and ideas from transcriptionists, fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

Disadvantages:

• Audio Quality: Many audio clips may contain distracting background noise, which can make transcription more challenging.
• Editing Challenges: Lengthy projects can require significant editing time, which can be tedious.
• Quality Control: Adherence to strict quality control standards may be demanding.

9. Quicktate

Quicktate is a platform connecting transcriptionists with companies seeking transcription services. Unlike some platforms, Quicktate doesn’t impose quotas or minimum work requirements.

Requirements:

• Background Check: Pay a $20 fee for a background check (no felonies or misdemeanors allowed)
• Equipment: Mac or PC
• Skill Assessment: Pass required quizzes

Pay:

• Rate: $0.0025 per word
• Frequency: Weekly payments

Advantages:

• Flexibility: Work on your own schedule without quotas or minimum hours.
• Clear Audio: Enjoy high-quality audio for easier transcription.
• Customization: Choose your preferred transcription methods and styles.

Disadvantages:

• Limited Communication: Management may not be highly responsive to concerns.
• Lower Pay: Compared to some other platforms, the pay rate may seem lower.

10. 3Play Media

3Play Media offers a remote transcription platform that allows you to transcribe recorded audio using internet-based software. They provide transcription services in various languages and cater to different skill levels.

Requirements:

• Age: 18 years or older
• Equipment: Mac or PC
• Background Check: Pass a background check
• Skill Assessment: Pass required transcription tests

Pay:

• Rate: $10 – $30 per audio hour
• Frequency: Weekly payments

Advantages:

• Steady Workload: 3Play Media offers a consistent flow of work, ensuring ample opportunities for transcriptionists.
• Global Reach: Transcribe audio in various languages, expanding your potential client base.

Disadvantages:

• Seasonal Fluctuations: Workload may decrease during certain periods, such as January and the holiday season.

11. Pioneer Transcription

Pioneer Transcription is seeking remote transcribers to work on their video transcription projects. They offer a supportive environment and opportunities for growth.

Requirements:

• Skill Assessment: Pass a transcription test
• Equipment: Mac or Windows PC

Pay:

• Rate: $1.00 per audio minute
• Frequency: Weekly payments

Advantages:

• Mentorship: Benefit from a supportive community of mentors who provide guidance and assistance.
• Clear Expectations: Receive clear instructions and feedback from management to improve your skills.

Disadvantages:

• Experience Requirement: Pioneer Transcription may prefer candidates with prior transcription experience.

12. Transcription for Everyone

Transcription for Everyone connects transcriptionists with clients in business, legal, and healthcare sectors. They match typists with suitable projects based on their skills and experience.

Requirements:

• Equipment: Mac or PC, anti-RSI keyboard, noise-canceling headphones, Microsoft Word
• Skill Assessment: Pass transcription tests

Pay:

• Rates: $2 per 1,000 words, $0.40 per audio minute, $0.40 – $0.45 per page
• Frequency: Monthly payments

Advantages:

• Variety of Work: Access a wide range of transcription projects from different industries.
• Consistent Work: Receive projects throughout the day, ensuring a steady workflow.
• Focus on High-Paying Jobs: Prioritize projects with higher pay rates for better earnings.

Disadvantages:

• Critical Feedback: Editors may provide detailed feedback and constructive criticism, which can sometimes be challenging.
• Low-Paying Options: Some projects may offer lower pay rates and require significant effort.

Wrap-Up

While the concept of earning money through transcription seems straightforward, landing the best jobs requires a strategic approach. Here’s a proven path to success:

1. Start Small, Build Big: Begin with easier transcription tasks to gain experience and confidence. Don’t prioritize pay initially.
2. Cast a Wide Net: Apply to as many transcription companies as possible to increase your chances of getting hired. Don’t get discouraged if some applications are rejected; you won’t be penalized.
3. Gain Experience: Spend a year working with companies that accept you. This will bolster your resume and skills.
4. Revisit Rejected Companies: After gaining experience, reapply to companies that previously turned you down. Repeat this process every six months.

Follow these steps and you’ll gradually build a strong portfolio and attract top-tier transcription opportunities.

Remember, persistence and continuous improvement are key to success in this field.