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11 Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners

Online transcription jobs for beginners
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Are you a blazing fast typist? Have you always had a knack for taking notes? Do you want an online job?

You might be a great candidate for working as a transcriptionist.

Many transcription jobs require extensive experience, making it a tough field to break into.

Fortunately, there are some great online transcription jobs for beginners. Let’s take a look.

11 Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners

When it comes to great transcribing jobs, there are countless places to look online.

To save you the trouble of wading through numerous jobs that may or may not be a good fit, we’ve created a curated list of quality transcription companies that have roles for beginners.

Each one offers something unique, so take note of which companies sound right for your background and needs.

1. Ubiqus

What it is: Transcription site for medical, legal and executive businesses.

Average pay: Roughly $1 per 170 words.

Ubiqus offers corporate, medical, and legal transcription services, as well as translation services.

Unlike many online transcription companies, Ubiqus occasionally hires full-time transcriptionists, complete with benefits. That said, most of the transcription work is part-time contract work, giving you the freedom to work a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

If you’re interested in working with Ubiqus, you’ll need varying levels of transcription experience depending on the type of role.

For example, those wanting to work in legal transcription will need 1 to 5 years of experience in a legal career. However, the experience doesn’t have to be related to transcription.

2. Appen

What it is: Machine learning company that offers speech data transcription.

Average pay: $15 per hour.

Appen, formerly known as Appenscribe, focuses on helping companies use machine learning to streamline their businesses.

As a part of this, they offer speech data transcription services. This entails transcribing speech data collected by the client and then transcribing it. Once the data is transcribed, Appen can partner with the client to help them create a more accurate speech recognition system.

Appen has jobs posted all around the world, with many requiring you to be in a specific location or to speak a particular language. They also have many remote positions, making this a good option when you want to make money from home.

Check their job postings regularly to transcription work that matches your geographic location and background.

3. Transcription Outsourcing

What is is: Audio-to-text transcription with a focus on the medical, legal and law enforcement professions.

Average pay: Freelancers earn 7 cents per line for medical transcription and 80 cents per audio minute transcribed in other categories.

Transcription Outsourcing offers some of the most competitive pay rates in the industry and is one of the few transcription companies that hires both freelance contractors and traditional employees.

In addition to the base pay rates listed above, transcribers sometimes have the opportunity to earn even more by working on projects that have quick turnaround times.

For example, the company says it’s paid as much as $5 per minute of audio for projects that have a 24-hour deadline.

To apply, you need to be 18 years old, a resident of the United States and able to pass a background check. You’ll get paid twice per month (on the 1st and 15th) via direct deposit or PayPal.

4. Babbletype

What it is: Audio-to-text services for market research only.

Average pay: $10 to $15 per hour.

Babbletype specializes in audio-to-text services for market research use. Their transcription jobs involve general transcription, as well as PureSpeech, which is transcription that captures “ums” and other pauses.

The application process for Babbletype is relatively straightforward — just watch the video on their jobs page and then move forward with the transcription skills test. If you pass, you’ll be able to start accepting tasks.

5. GoTranscript

What it is: Full-service transcription company with flexible scheduling.

Average pay: $150 per month.

GoTranscript is exclusively a transcription company, offering audio, text, video, captioning, and translation transcription services.

If you’re interested in general transcription work and want to build your overall skill set, GoTranscript is a great place to start. Their jobs generally require no transcription experience — only an expert understanding of English and the ability to type quickly.

To work with GoTranscript, create a profile on their site, fill out an application, and wait to be approved. Once you’re approved, you’ll have access to many listings, which can range from book reports to court hearings.

6. Accutran Global

What it is: Global provider of transcription services for a wide variety of clients.

Average pay: $0.004 to $0.0055 per word.

Accutran Global is a straightforward general transcription company that serves clients from virtually all industries. They provide transcription of video and audio, and also have translation services available.

To work with Accutran Global, fill out an application on their site or email them using the address on the homepage. They offer entry level and more experienced positions, making this a good spot for virtually any applicant.

7. Quicktate

What it is: Transcription site and call auditing company.

Average pay: $9 per hour.

Quicktate offers a number of audio transcription services, servicing those who need help with calls, legal recordings, medical recordings, etc.

They allow their customers to submit online or via their app, and promise a fast turnaround time.

If you have a flexible schedule and can handle fast turnaround times, Quicktate is a solid choice.

To get an online transcription job with Quicktate, fill out their independent contractor application form.

8. Scribie

What it is: Transcription company offering manual and automated services.

Average pay: $10 to $15 per hour.

Scribie is an online transcription company that offers manual and automated transcription services.

Working as a transcriptionist for Scribie is fairly straightforward, requiring a PayPal account, a solid understanding of English, and the ability to write quickly and accurately.

They pay per audio hour transcribed and tackle numerous types of projects, from conference calls to medical procedures.

You can apply for an online transcription job with Scribie by filling out an application and then completing their writing test. If you pass, you’ll begin receiving assignments and earning by the audio hour.

9. Rev

What it is: Wide range of transcription services, from captions to foreign subtitles to documents.

Average pay: $240 per month.

Rev, also known as Rev.com, is a cutting edge transcription service that uses AI-powered software to streamline their process.

They offer freelance transcription roles that focus on audio files, as well as those that focus on video. They allow you to work a totally open schedule, taking jobs when you can or passing when you need to.

To get a transcription job with Rev and join their team of more than 50,000 freelancers, head over to their application page and complete the process. Once you’re in the system, you can start browsing jobs and get paid weekly.

10. Tigerfish

What it is: Transcription and editing services in less than two hours.

Average pay: $10 to $15 per hour.

Tigerfish provides transcription and editing services, promising to deliver results in under two hours if the express option is chosen.

Tigerfish takes a different approach to transcription services, priding themselves on their editing prowess. This means the jobs require an accurate typist with an especially keen eye.

If you’re ready to transcribe for videos, marketing and PR materials, and everything in between, apply for a transcription job with Tigerfish by completing their application.

Be prepared, as you’ll have to complete a typing test during the application, and select any specialized industry experience you have.

11. CastingWords

What it is: General transcription service with multiple delivery times.

Average pay: $8 per hour.

CastingWords offers general transcription services for virtually any industry. What makes them different is their approach to pricing and delivery.

They charge per audio minute or video minute, but change the rate depending on the package chosen. This means jobs can have a lengthy turnaround time of a week, or a quick turnaround time of less than 24 hours.

The pay for the transcriptionist varies depending on the turnaround time required, making this an opportunity to shine if you’re up for the challenge.

To start transcribing for CastingWords, go to their jobs page and fill out the application. If you’re approved, you’ll be able to start choosing daily transcription jobs and getting paid.

Necessary Skills and Equipment to be a Transcriptionist

Headphones on yellow background

While every transcription company will be looking for different things, many of them will require some of the same general skills and equipment across the board. If you don’t have the following, be sure to work on the appropriate skill or purchase the necessary equipment ahead of time.

  • Accurate typing: If you’re going to be a successful transcriber, you need to have excellent typing skills. Mistakes simply can’t be made — and if they are, you need to catch them during the editing process.
  • Fast typing speed: To deliver on time and increase your earnings, you need to be able to accurately type and maintain a high words-per-minute (WPM) pace. A good baseline to shoot for is at least 50 words per minute, if not more.
  • Reliable internet connection: You’ll need a reliable, fast internet connection to stream the audio and video you’ll be transcribing. Some companies may also use transcription software, which can also require a broadband connection.
  • Headphones or headset: To properly hear the the audio file you’re going to transcribe, a headset or quality headphones are a must. Secure a proper headset before you even take a skills test, as incorrectly hearing the test audio file could make or break your application.
  • Foot pedal: A foot pedal can be hooked up to your computer and used to control the playback of a dictation file using your feet. This allows you to quickly rewind, pause, or fast forward a file without having to lift a finger. While not required, it can increase your transcription speed.
  • Strong understanding of the English language: While you won’t be writing original works, you will need the English language skills to have proper spelling and grammar throughout your work.
  • Familiarity with style guides: Many transcription companies will have style guides that freelancers must follow. If you’re not familiar with style guides, look some up to understand how they dictate what you can and can’t say, and how you should say it.
  • Comfortable with work-from-home jobs: Nearly any transcription jobs will be a remote job (a home transcription job). This means you’ll need to be comfortable with working from home, have a quiet place to work, and have the discipline to manage yourself and get your work done.
  • Some degree of tech aptitude: You’ll usually be transcribing into Microsoft Word of Google Docs, but some companies use their own proprietary transcription software.

There are countless online jobs in the transcription industry. If you have the above skills and equipment, you’ll be well on your way to landing your first gig.

Wrap-Up: Getting a Job as a Beginner Transcriptionist Opens Up Many Doors

Man applying to online transcription jobs for beginners

Even the most experienced transcribers started somewhere. The start of your transcription career could be just around the corner.

These online transcription jobs for beginners are some of the best. But even if none of them seem like the right fit or pan out, there are countless others available out there.

Take your time applying, continue to hone your typing skills using online tests, and eventually you’ll be a experienced transcriber who has a real online job

R.J. Weiss
R.J. Weiss, founder of The Ways To Wealth, has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ since 2010. Holding a B.A. in finance and having completed the CFP® certification curriculum at The American College, R.J. combines formal education with a deep commitment to providing unbiased financial insights. Recognized as a trusted authority in the financial realm, his expertise is highlighted in major publications like Business Insider, New York Times, and Forbes.

    1 Comment

    1. Hey there, I really like your website! I tend to agree with your point as I am a medical assistant for an outsourcing company.

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