Best Transcription Jobs For 2021

ost transcription jobs will allow you to work as an independent contractor. Typically, you’ll be able to have control over the days and hours that you work, and how much you work. Some companies will have minimums or specific requirements that you’ll need to meet. We’ll start the article by looking at the best opportunities.

1. SpeakWrite

• Rate Info: $0.005 – $0.006 per word

• Payment Method: Direct deposit or check

• Payment Frequency: Twice per month

• Requirements: One year of experience, 60+ words per minute, 90% accuracy

SpeakWrite is one of the best transcription jobs, but you’ll need a little bit of previous transcribing experience. They have a well-established customer base that includes legal, government, law enforcement, and private sector clients.

As a transcriptionist for SpeakWrite, you’ll be paid $0.005 – $0.006 per word. According to SpeakWriting, average monthly earnings are $300+ with top earners exceeding $3,000 per month. Payments are made twice per month by direct deposit or check.

In order to work for SpeakWrite, applicants must pass a test with a minimum of 60 words per minute with at least 90% accuracy. You will also need at least one year of transcription experience, and you must pass a background check.

Once you’re approved you will choose your own shifts and then work will be assigned to you during your shifts. You’ll need to schedule at least 15 working hours per onth.'

2. Transcript Divas

• Rate Info: Average of $1.39 per audio minute

• Payment Method: PayPal or direct deposit

• Payment Frequency: Unspecified

• Requirements: Experience preferred but not required

Transcript Divas offers one of the higher-paying transcription jobs, with rates going up to $2.98 per audio minute. They don’t require previous experience, but they have high standards and only accept a percentage of applicants.

If you’re interested in working as a freelancer for Transcript Divas, you can apply directly on their website. You’ll need to have a resume/CV ready, and you’ll need to answer a few questions to complete the application.

3. Speechpad

• Rate Info: $0.25 – $2.50 per audio minute

• Payment Method: PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Twice per week

• Requirements: Pass their typing test

Speechpad is another good company to work for. You can earn $0.25 – $2.50 per audio minute (or $15 to $150 per audio hour). Payments are made twice per week by PayPal.

It’s free to sign up, and before you can start working you’ll need to pass a transcription and a grammar test. As a worker, you’ll have a rating, and the rating impacts what jobs you will be eligible for. Increase your rating to open up more opportunities. There are also possibilities to quality for rush jobs and captioning jobs that can bring higher pay.

There is no minimum that you need to work, and you’ll be able to choose the specific jobs that you want to take.

4. Averbach Transcription

• Rate Info: $1.00 – $1.50 per audio minute

• Payment Method: PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Unspecified

• Requirements: Pass their test

Averbach Transcription is hiring transcriptionists. They do not list any requirements for experience, but you will need to be able to pass their 20-minute test.

Their typical rates are $1.oo per audio minute or $1.50 per audio minute for rush orders (same day or overnight). Obviously, if you’re able to take the rush orders, you’ll be able to earn more. They claim that most professional transcriptionists are able to make $20 – $30 per hour of work based on these rates.

You’ll have the flexibility to set your own hours and decline work if it’s not convenient for you.

5. Transcription Outsourcing LLC

• Rate Info: $0.80 – $1.10+ per audio minute

• Payment Method: Direct deposit or PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Twice per month

• Requirements: Pass their typing tests

Transcription Outsourcing offers positions for employees as well as general contractors. They have work in a variety of different industries with openings currently listed for law enforcement, medical, legal, financial, and general transcription. The application process requires you to pass at least one typing test before you can join their team. The specific test requirements can vary depending on the type of transcription you’ll be doing.

Transcription Outsourcing offers very competitive rates. The rates can vary depending on the industry that you’re working in. Some are paid per minute and others per line. The per-minute rates are currently listed at $0.80 – $1.10 per minute, but they also offer higher rates (up to $5 per minute) for rush jobs or when maximum accuracy is needed. A rate of $0.07 – $0.10 per line is currently listed for medical transcription work.

In order to work for Transcription Outsourcing, you’ll need to be based in the U.S. The job requirements do not specify that experience is required, but the application does ask about your experience.

6. TranscribeMe

• Rate Info: $15 to $22 per audio hour

• Payment Method: PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Weekly

• Requirements: Pass their typing test

TranscribeMe is one of the more popular options, and getting started is pretty easy. After you fill out the form you’ll need to pass a test in order to be able to start working for TranscribeMe. The test is fairly simple, and TranscribeMe does not require previous experience.

When you are working for TranscribeMe you will be transcribing short audio clips (usually 2-4 minutes long) from a variety of different industries. Pay ranges from $15 to $22 per audio hour. The average transcriptionist earns $250 per month, with top earners making up to $2,200 per month. You’ll be paid by PayPal weekly.

There is no cost to apply with TranscribeMe.

7. Daily Transcription

• Rate Info: starting at $0.75 – $0.85 per audio minute

• Payment Method: Check

• Payment Frequency: Weekly

• Requirements: Type at least 50 words per minute

Daily Transcription claims to pay higher rates than other companies, starting at $0.75 – $0.85 per audio minute. Their top transcriptionists make $250 – $950 per week (which is a really wide range). Payments are made weekly by check.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to pass a skills assessment test, as well as a transcription test. They do not require transcription experience, but you must be able to type at least 50 words per minute.

Daily Transcription works a little bit differently than some other companies. You’ll sign up for slots on their schedule, and you’ll be assigned work based on that schedule. Like other companies, they do not guarantee a specific amount of work will be available.

You’ll be transcribing audio files from the entertainment, corporate, and legal industries, as well as some academic institutions.

8. Tigerfish

• Rate Info: $0.03 – $0.04 per line transcribed

• Payment Method: PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Weekly

• Requirements: Pass their test

Tigerfish has been around for a long time (since 1989) and they are a well-known company in the industry.

If you work for Tigerfish, your projects will include all types of audio files like interviews, police interrogations, and documentary film footage.

There is an application process that involves transcribing 15 minutes of sample audio files. You’ll also need the free version of Express Scribe software.

Tigerfish pays $0.03 – $0.04 per line transcribed.

9. Casting Words

• Rate Info: $0.085 to over $1 per audio minute

• Payment Method: PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Weekly

• Requirements: You may need to pass their test

Casting Words hires freelancers from the U.S., Canada, and a long list of other countries. Signing up is easy. Some applicants will be required to take a transcription test, but others may not need to take the test.

Once you’re approved you will be able to see available jobs in the dashboard, and you can take as much or as little work as you want.

By working for Casting Words you will be paid $0.085 to over $1 per audio minute. Pay varies based on a few factors like the type of job, the level you’ve reached, and the grade that you receive for the work. The higher the grade for accuracy, the more you’ll be paid. Payments are made once per week by PayPal.

10. GMR Transcription

• Rate Info: Rates are not disclosed until you are hired

• Payment Method: Direct deposit or PayPal

• Payment Frequency: Monthly

• Requirements: Pass their test

GMR Transcription offers positions for general transcription, as well as for general transcription with a medical background. They claim that the average workers earn $1,000 – $3,000 per month.

No experience is necessary for the general transcription position (but they do have high accuracy standards) and you will be transcribing a variety of topics like academic, business, legal, and more.

For the position with a medical background, you will be transcribing interviews about medical conditions. This position comes with daily, consistent work, but you will be expected to complete work on a regular basis.

11. 3Play Media

• Rate Info: $10 – $30 per hour

• Payment Method: Direct deposit or check

• Payment Frequency: Monthly

• Requirements: Type at least 75 words per minute

To work for 3Play Media you will need to be located in the U.S., and you’ll need to be able to type at least 75 words per minute.

3Play Media pays based on the project, but they suggest the equivalent is about $10 – $30 per hour, depending on your efficiency.

You’ll be able to choose which projects you accept and how much you work.

The companies listed in the next section are all reputable companies that provide online transcription work opportunities, but they do not publically provide the rates that they pay. Details like job qualifications are listed below if they are publicly available. For more details, contact the company or start the application process.

12. CrowdSurf

CrowdSurf is a legit transcription service company that offers work related to captioning videos for the deaf and second-language viewers. These will be short tasks that you can do at your own convenience.

To sign up you’ll need to create a profile and take an assessment. No experience is required and there is no mandatory typing speed. Once you’ve been approved and you’re in their system, you can take any available jobs whenever you want to work.

CrowdSurf pays by PayPal or direct deposit and you can get paid for your work instantly.

13. Athreon

Athreon has been in business since 1988 and offers medical and general transcription work (for those based in North America). The non-medical transcription involves police, legal, media, and business transcription.

In order to qualify, you will either need to be a graduate of a training program or have two years of relevant working experience.

One of the benefits of working for Athreon is that you should get a steadier flow of work that may not be available with some other companies. However, they do require transcriptionists to work 5 days per week and complete at least 500 lines per day.

Athreon pays weekly by PayPal.

14. Ubiqus

Ubiqus hires transcriptionists based in the U.S. In general, they require 1-5 years of experience, but they will consider current transcription students.

You will be paid per word, but Ubiqus does not publicly list the rates that they pay. Opportunities are available for legal, medical, and general transcription.

15. Verbal Ink

Verbal Ink is a division of Ubiqus. They hire transcriptionists with no experience, but there is not a lot of detail about the job on their website. The site does provide instructions for applicants.

16. Babbletype

Babbletype hires transcriptionists, but you will need to be a native English speaker. They pay weekly by PayPal and workers can sign up for the assignments that they want each day. Your work schedule is totally up to you. Babbletype does not provide details about pay rates, but you can apply through their website.

17. Voxtab

Voxtab offers many different types of transcription services including legal, medical, academic, business, sermons, videos, podcasts, and more. They don’t provide many details about the opportunity to work for them, but you can apply and submit a resume through their website.

18. AccuTran Global

AccuTran Global is another reputable company that hires transcriptionists. Currently, there is not a lot of information about the job on their site, but it does say that a new hiring process will be coming soon.

19. Transcriptions ‘N Translations

Transcriptions ‘N Translations provides transcription services with a focus on the entertainment industry. Their website does not include very much information about working for them, but there is a form to submit an application.

20. BAM! Transcription

BAM! Transcription is a California-based company that provides general transcription and also serves the entertainment industry. Their website does not provide information about working for them, but there is a contact form that you can use.

21. Alice Darling Secretarial Services

Alice Darling offers audio and video transcription services. They hire transcriptionists as needed. The requirements include the ability to type 75 words-per-minute and experience with transcription and word processing.

22. TranscriptionServices.com

TranscriptionServices.com is hiring part-time transcriptionists from any country, however, you do need to have experience. Their website says that they offer competitive pay, but rates are not listed. Application instructions are listed on their site. You’ll need a copy of your resume in PDF format, and you’ll need to answer a few questions.