Have you been looking for the best online transcription jobs in 2021?
Great.
You’ve found the right post.
Did you know that the act of transcribing has been important not only for businesses but for human history?
Think about this. We wouldn’t have many records of history, pieces of historical literature, religious texts, and much more! If you choose to become a transcriptionist, you’re not only just working from home, you’re doing one of the most historically important jobs to ever exist.
Now, this post will cover the following categories as it relates to transcription jobs:
- The best job board to find legit online transcription jobs.
- Online transcription jobs for beginners.
- High-paying transcription jobs online.
- Freelance transcription jobs from home.
Plus, you will learn what it takes and get the tools you need to get hired now.
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Table of Contents
What is transcribing?
Transcription is the art of listening to the words from a video or audio file and typing them into a digital document. To excel at transcription, you not only have to be a good listener, but a fast and accurate typist.
People who transcribe for work are called transcribers or transcriptionists.
If you’ve done any looking into online jobs, you’ll find that transcribing is one of the most popular in 2021.
How much do transcribers make?
Transcriptionists make anywhere between $27,500 – $78,000 per year.
Medical and Legal transcriptionists tend to pay the highest of all transcriptionists on average. Overall, the extent of your accuracy and speed when typing will determine how much you make.
How to get hired fast as an online transcriber
To get hired fast as an online transcriber, you will need to follow three steps. Here are those steps:
Get qualified
You will need to satisfy the qualifications that companies or individuals are seeking. These qualifications generally include the following:
- Fast and accurate typing.
- High-speed internet connection.
- Good-quality headphones.
- A modern laptop or computer.
- Word processor such as Microsoft Word.
- Experience in a related field to transcribing (but, some companies don’t require experience).
- Foot pedal for faster and more optimal transcribing.
Have the right training and experience
The right training and experience are paramount to getting hired fast.
Even though it appears easy to jump right into transcription, you could end up wasting a lot of time or not getting paid what you’re worth if you don’t get the training you need.
For this reason, I recommend taking a course from an experienced, profitable transcriber who already knows what it takes to succeed. It turns out I know just the person! Her name is Janet Shaugnessy, owner of Zoom Transcription Services and founder of TranscribeAnywhere.
She has been a high-earning transcriptionist for over 10 years and has parlayed her expertise into helping others become high-earning transcriptionists as well.
For a short period of time, she’s offering a free 7-day online course that will show you what you need to do to be successful at transcription, and how to find good-paying clients or transcribing jobs.
Click here to enroll in Janet’s free online course on general transcription.
Her premium course does cost a bit, but when you think of it like tuition for college or university, the price is quite affordable.
I would also like to recommend a little hack that will give you an edge in transcribing.
Start using Grammarly.
Grammarly is a free grammar checker that uses artificial intelligence to automatically highlight spelling and grammatical mistakes in a written document. It’s incredibly simple to add to your favorite web browser or word processor and only takes seconds to download.
Click here to download Grammarly for free.
Start applying for online transcribing jobs
This is the last step you will need to take in order to get an online transcribing job.
Below, you will find the best opportunities for doing just that.
The best job board to find legit transcribing jobs from home
FlexJobs is the hub of legitimate work-from-home jobs.
If you’re willing to pay the price of a large pizza, Flexjobs is an excellent place to find legit online transcription jobs fast. They screen to make sure they are legitimate, so you don’t have to worry about job scams online.
There are jobs for all experience levels as well. So if you’re a beginner fresh out of the training I mentioned in the previous section, or a seasoned transcriptionist, you will find plenty of online job opportunities on Flexjobs.
There are hundreds of legitimate home-based transcribing jobs that are posted on Flexjobs as of this writing.
And, get this.
Unlike other search boards that are full of outdated job listings, FlexJobs has legit, up-to-date job listings that are hiring right now. In other words, FlexJobs makes your job hunt so much easier.
Click here to sign up for FlexJobs and find good-paying transcription jobs.
Best online transcription jobs for beginners
Don’t have any experience transcribing?
That’s not a problem.
These entry-level online transcriptions jobs don’t require any experience, and there are no fees to apply. Also, if you’re looking to get started or to build your transcribing resume, these companies are all great places to start.
GMR Transcription
Founded in 2004, is a company that provides transcription and translation services to businesses and individuals. Transcriptionists earn between $1,000 to $3,000 per month working from home. They do not charge any fees for registration or testing. Pay is monthly through direct deposit or PayPal. United States applicants only. Click here to apply.
Rev
Rev is a startup company that prides itself on giving folks stay-at-home job opportunities such as online transcribing. They pay via PayPal every week and workers make around $15 to $20 dollars an hour of audio time. There are hundreds of jobs that are offered at a given time. No fees for registration or testing. Apply to be a freelancer on Rev here.
TranscribeMe
TranscribeMe is a highly rated company that offers individuals and business transcription and translation services. They routinely hire beginners for their transcription jobs. You can expect to make anywhere between $15 – $22 an hour of audio time with top transcriptionists making $2,200 per month. Medical and Legal transcriptionist tend to make the most on TranscribeMe. They pay through PayPal once a week. Click here to apply.
GoTranscript
Founded in 2006, GoTranscript has grown into one of the largest online transcription and translation agencies in the world. They accept international transcriptionists from most countries, even without experience! Transcribers make $0.60 per audio minute with top monthly earnings around $1,215. Payments are made weekly via PayPal or Payoneer. Click here to apply.
CastingWords Workshop
They are offering independent contractor jobs for transcribers located in virtually any country. Acceptance is relatively easy but the pay is based on projects available and your performance. Transcriber pay can range from $0.085 cents all the way up to $1. Payments are made every Friday through PayPal and CastingWords will pay the PayPal fees. Click here to apply.
Daily Transcription
This company provides services to entertainment, corporate, and legal industries as well as to academic institutions. You can expect to be paid weekly with rates starting at $0.75 -$0.85 per audio minute. Their top performer earns between $250 – $950 per week. Click here to apply.
Best high-paying transcription jobs online
If you have some experience and are looking for a flexible job as a transcriptionist, these companies are solid.
3 Play Media
3 Play Media was founded in 2007 and strives to provide efficient and affordable captioning and transcription services. Pay is between $10 to $30 dollars an hour which is very good. View 3 Play Media’s current job openings for English and Spanish speakers in the United States here.
Transcript Divas
Transcript Divas was founded in 2013 and is actively looking to hire transcribers, both as W-2 employees and independent contractors. The average rate of pay is around $1.39 per audio minute with a high of $2.98 and a low of $0.84. Transcript Divas strives to pay more than the average (or even at the highest rate) for independent contractor freelancers. Payment is made through PayPal or bank wire transfer once per week. Click here to apply.
Speechpad
Speechpad is one of the best online transcription jobs for beginners and experienced transcribers alike. Getting a job on Speechpad can be competitive, so if they’re not currently hiring, check back often. At a base rate, the pay range is between $0.25 and $2.50 per audio minute depending on your experience. Plus, you have the opportunity to earn bonuses if your work is highly reviewed by customers. Transcribers will be paid by PayPal every Tuesday and Friday without fees. Click here to apply.
Best Freelance Transcription Jobs from Home
Fiverr
This is another popular platform to offer your transcriptionist or related services. Freelance gigs or services on Fiverr start at $5. Once you get good reviews and a nice portfolio, you can easily start charging more. Apply here.
Peopleperhour
This is a platform where you can find a good amount of freelance transcribing jobs. I don’t recommend trying to make a living here, but instead to get a transcribing job and build your resume. Apply here.
Upwork
As a freelance transcriber, Upwork is a great platform to offer your services. Go here to get an idea of the kind of transcriptionist services other people offer. Post your services here.
Best Legal Transcription Jobs online
Legal transcription jobs are among the highest-paying jobs for transcribers. However, they require more qualifications such as experience and some working knowledge of legal language and matters.
These are the best legal transcription jobs that let you work from home in 2020.
Ubiquis
Ubiquis is one of the largest legal transcription companies in the United States. Pay can range between $15 to $25 per working hour for legal transcriptionists. You must have 1-5 years of transcription or related experience and 1-5 years of experience in legal-related work. Native English speakers who are United States residents are welcome to apply. Click here to apply.
Tigerfish
Tigerfish, founded in 1989, is one of the longest-standing online transcription companies. They focus on legal clients and therefore mostly seek transcribers with a legal background. Pay is between $6-$15 per working hour with the potential to be higher for quality work. Transcribers receive payment through PayPal weekly. They only accept United States residents. Click here to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are transcription jobs?
These are jobs in which you get paid for transcribing audio files or converting the speech of an audio file into a text.
What is the difference between working hours and audio hours?
Working hours refer to the amount of time that you actually spend working. Audio hours, however, refer to the actual length of time that an audio file lasts.
How long does it take to transcribe 1 hour of audio?
That will depend on how fast of a typer you are as well as your listening skills. According to many companies such as GMR Transcription and Rev, it will take you roughly four hours if you’re good.
