7 Best Transcription Jobs That Pay Well [2024]

Transcription jobs that pay well may require experience, a specialty, or fluency in a second language. If you’re looking to transcribe as a way to make money online, companies like Rev, Scribie, and TranscribeMe may help you get started in the transcription world. SpeakWrite, GoTranscript, and Audio Transcription Center are additional companies that offer transcription opportunities.

Be aware that there’s increased competition for transcription jobs, which offer flexible hours and work-from-home convenience. You might be limited in how much you can make when just starting out, and some platforms pause hiring at times. But if you stick with it and build experience and a specialty, transcribing can be a good side hustle for people with solid language and typing skills.

Below are seven places to find audio transcription jobs that pay, plus average earnings.

How we evaluate products

To create our list of the best transcription jobs that pay well, we researched highly rated transcription platforms and looked for companies that offer multiple benefits to their freelancers. We considered factors such as transcription rates, pay frequency, and job requirements, among others. The companies we chose for our best transcription job sites may be current or past FinanceBuzz partners, although that was not a consideration in our selections. We did not review all companies in the market, but rather focused on a curated list of transcription providers that offer freelance opportunities for transcriptionists of all levels.

The 7 best transcription sites that pay

• Daily Transcription
• SpeakWrite
• Scribie
• TranscribeMe
• Rev
• GoTranscript
• Audio Transcription Center

Compare transcription jobs you can do anywhere

Platform	Best for
Daily Transcription	Experienced transcriptionists
SpeakWrite	Flexible work
Scribie	Beginner pay
TranscribeMe	Advancement potential
Rev	Weekly payments
GoTranscript	Per-minute rates
Audio Transcription Center	Hourly pay

1. Daily Transcription

Pay: Starting at $45 per audio/video hour according to Daily Transcription

Daily Transcription is a site focused on providing human-generated transcription services to big-name businesses in entertainment and other industries. Although Daily Transcription doesn’t offer average monthly income figures, its pay rates are above average, offering $45 to $66 per hour of material for general transcription and going up to $360 per material hour for specialty services. However, you’ll want to get some experience before applying.

2. SpeakWrite

Pay: $450 per month, on average

SpeakWrite focuses on insurance, business, and legal transcription jobs. Freelancers must meet a short list of requirements to get started, including typing 60 words per minute with very few errors. You must also provide your own equipment, and previous transcription experience is a plus.

Since SpeakWrite promises clients three-hour turnaround times for certain work, expect to have short deadlines for your work. That said, you can choose your own schedule, and the options are flexible, as SpeakWrite operates 24/7. According to SpeakWrite, typists earn half a cent per word, and some shifts offer a 10% bonus.

3. Scribie

Pay: $400 monthly for beginners, on average

Scribie employs a network of over 50,000 freelancers. The company provides a remote work option and helpful AI tools to make transcribing each audio clip as easy as possible.

According to their website, Scribie freelancers make $5 to $20 per audio hour, on average. How much you earn depends on your skill level and how many scripts you get through. Scribie ballparks that beginners could earn up to $400 monthly, while advanced transcriptionists could earn up to $1,600 per month. Scribie is transitioning to a new platform and paused hiring home transcriptionists as of October 2024.

4. TranscribeMe

Pay: $250 per month, on average

Like many transcription companies, TranscribeMe prioritizes remote transcription work and a flexible schedule you can design yourself. TranscribeMe offers customers AI-powered and typist-checked transcriptions and translations.

According to TranscribeMe, starting typists make anywhere from $15 to $22 per audio hour. Transcriptionists earn an average of $250 each month, according to the company. For those who stick with the company, there are opportunities for advancement. Members of these special teams earn $60 to $70+ per audio hour.

5. Rev

Pay: $245 monthly, on average

Rev is a popular global transcription service that was created primarily as a remote working option, focusing on speech-to-text services. The company’s team of freelancers offers audio transcription, video captions, subtitles, and live captions for Zoom.

It has a network of over 72,000 freelancers that use speech recognition AI to quickly and accurately transcribe a variety of programs. However, freelancers shouldn’t rely on Rev to make a full-time living, as the average freelancer makes just $245 in monthly earnings, according to Rev, and there is a waitlist to join the platform.

6. GoTranscript

Pay: $150 per month, on average

GoTranscript is one of the largest transcription sites in the world, offering English, Spanish, German, and French translations. The company frequently has openings on its careers page, particularly for Spanish translators.

GoTranscript offers $0.60 per audio or video minute or $36 per material hour, with top earners bringing in $1,215 per month, according to the site. Average typists and translators don’t earn a ton, however. Freelance transcriptionists can expect to add an average of $150 per month to their income working with GoTranscript.

7. Audio Transcription Center

Pay: Up to $18 an hour

Audio Transcription Center provides transcription services for academic institutions, government agencies, historians, financial organizations, and archival organizations. The company has offered these services since 1966, making it a well-established organization. In keeping with its strong commitment to accuracy, typists must take a transcription test and type at least 80 words per minute with 98% accuracy.

The Audio Transcription Center has a higher standard for its transcriptionists than most, and pay is hourly, running between $15 to $18 per hour worked. That said, beginners can start their transcribing career with Audio Transcription Center, as no prior experience or college degree is necessary to apply.

What’s required to be a transcriptionist?

To become a transcriptionist, you must have a computer to work from and a reliable internet connection, as well as some other skills companies look for in typists and translators.

Whether you're aiming to dive into the world of general, medical, legal, or language transcription, the following are the fundamental requirements to excel in the field:

• Fast typing speed and accuracy: A proficient transcriptionist must have a strong command of keyboard skills. Most companies require a minimum typing speed of 60 words per minute and a high accuracy rate, and some require near perfect accuracy.
• Attention to detail: You should be able to maintain focus for extended periods and stay consistent in speed and accuracy to produce error-free transcripts.
• Bilingual abilities: Many transcription companies appreciate freelancers with the ability to speak English and other languages like Spanish or French.
• Strong grammar skills: A strong command of the language being transcribed, including its grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary, is necessary for producing accurate written content.
• Excellent listening skills: A transcriptionist must be able to translate spoken words into written words quickly and accurately, even in cases of poor audio quality or background noise.
• Reliable technology: A reliable computer and a high-quality headset or headphones are essential to ensure optimal audio clarity and a seamless transcription process.
• Research abilities: Thorough research skills and the capability to fact-check are necessary, particularly when transcribing technical or specialized content such as legal or medical documents.
• Stellar time management and organizational skills: Effective time management and organizational abilities are essential to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

How to choose the best transcription jobs

If you’re considering becoming a transcriptionist, you may be surprised to see how many companies offer this as a side hustle. To narrow down the best option for your schedule and payment preferences, think through the following:

• Consider your interests and expertise: Look for transcription opportunities that align with your interests or areas you specialize in. Areas such as legal and medical transcription can leverage your existing knowledge and skills, which may lead to more fulfilling and lucrative opportunities.
• Look at the payment structure and rates: Most audio transcription jobs pay pennies (or less) per word, but the more assignments you can take on, the more money you can make. Compare the compensation structures, such as pay-per-audio-minute, pay-per-word, or hourly rates, to make sure you choose a service with competitive pay.
• Consider the flexibility offered: Balancing your side hustle with other commitments is easier when you have the freedom to adjust your side-hustle schedule. If you have just 10 hours a week to devote to your side hustle, for instance, work with companies that give you full choice over when you work.
• Read reviews: Research the reputation of transcription companies by exploring online reviews, testimonials, and feedback from other transcriptionists. Choose clients with a positive track record of timely payments and clear communication since they tend to have a more stable work environment.
• Assess the technology requirements: Ensure that the audio transcription jobs you choose fit within your technical capabilities and equipment. Does the company require a Mac? PC? A headset? A foot pedal? Make sure you’re comfortable providing these things on your own.

FAQs

Other places to find transcription jobs

The sites below didn’t make our list, but may still offer ways to find work as a transcriptionist:

• Upwork: If you want more control over finding clients and charging what you want, you can set up a freelancer profile on Upwork. Freelance transcriptionists on Upwork seek out clients on their own and set their own pricing. However, unlike the companies that made our list, you must create and manage your listings and pricing and attract a regular clientele to earn consistent income.
• Fiverr: Fiverr isn’t a transcription-specific site, but freelancers of all kinds can list their services on its platform. You can set up a Fiverr profile as a freelance transcriptionist and charge what you like. However, you’re responsible for the business side of the equation as well as providing the transcription services.

Bottom line

For certain freelancers, transcription jobs can be one of the best side hustles, offering the convenience of working from home and the ability to manage your own schedule. But you should know that the earning potential in this field can be limited, especially for beginners.

Despite this, getting into the industry as a novice is relatively straightforward. You just need typing skills, your own equipment, and a willingness to familiarize yourself with transcription software.

For experienced transcribers looking to maximize profits, Daily Transcription pays a premium for your skills. Those looking for the most flexibility might consider SpeakWrite or Transcribe Me. Alternatively, you can explore freelance jobs for typists for more options.