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If you find yourself at home needing online work, you may be thinking what is out there that is available? One profession that you can start online without any prior experience is transcribing.

Transcription jobs are readily available. Even better, there are plenty of companies where you can find online transcription jobs for beginners.

Imagine starting a new career without any experience? It is that easy. And with transcription jobs, the more experience you rack up, the better the pay becomes. And opportunities grow as you grow in the field.

And, many transcription jobs online offer flexibility so you choose how much you want to work and for how long.

Interested? Well, keep reading as we have found the best 30 online transcription jobs for beginners.

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What is Transcribing?

Transcribing is where you listen to an audio file and then type out what is said. Sometimes, it can be a video that needs captioning.

The quality of audio files varies from job to job from variation in volume to overlapping dialogue. And sometimes you need to be able to distinguish what is being said over loud background noise.

And, transcribing is not just writing what is exactly said. Each transcription company has its own guidelines for transcribing.

This can include removing stutters, false starts, filler words (such as um, uh, like), and correcting grammar.

Online transcription jobs also involve doing research. People’s names, companies, or highly technical terms may be spoken in an audio file.

It is up to you to research the name to ensure that it is spelled correctly. It’s a great way to learn about a wide range of topics.

What Skills are Needed for Transcribing?

Freelance transcription jobs online for beginners do not require any concrete skills though some websites do have typing speed criteria.

You should aim for being able to type at least 40 WPM though some sites require at least 60 WPM.

However, to be successful at transcribing, you should demonstrate:

• Proficiency of the English language and grammar
• Excellent listening skills
• Strong attention to detail
• An ability to meet deadlines
• Accuracy in typing

Equipment Needed for Transcribing

To set yourself up for a work from home transcription job, you should make sure that you have:

• A computer/laptop – Without a computer, you are dead in the water. And, you should ensure that your computer is updated to the most current operating system.

• High-Speed Internet – Your job will be listening to audio files and possibly videos. You need to be able to have a secure internet connection that will play the files and not cut out. If you lose connection or it freezes, your work will be lost.

• Headphones – Having headphones is essential for transcribing. They allow you to cut out background noise and better hear the audio files.

• Foot pedal – Some companies may require a foot pedal, so you will need to pay attention to the system requirements before applying. A foot pedal allows you to easily slow down, fast forward, or stop an audio file. Not only does it make it easier for you to accurately hear the recording, but it also frees up your hands for typing.

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Pay for Online Transcribing Jobs

One important thing to note about transcription work online is that pay is per completed audio minute and not by how long it takes you to transcribe an audio file.

When starting out, you can expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour transcribing a 2 or 3-minute audio file. At the completion, you are only paid for the 2 or 3 audio minutes.

But keep in mind, when beginning freelance transcription jobs online, you are going to be on the slow side.

It does take some time for you to get used to the style guidelines of the company you are working for as well as getting into a rhythm for transcribing files. It’s all about getting it right at first. Speed comes second.

In time, however, you will see that you are completing audio files much faster. It’s all apart of the learning curve.

But it is important to set realistic expectations when you are starting out with online transcription jobs for beginners.

Freelance Transcription Jobs & Taxes

Something for you to keep in mind is that most online transcribing companies hire freelancer contractors. Even though you are not a direct employee, these are still legit transcription jobs.

As a freelance contractor, you will not receive benefits (paid time off, health insurance). And, they pay you for work completed without withholding any taxes.

So, it is up to you to report your earnings at tax time via a 1099 form. And that is when you will need to pay taxes on that earned income tax.

Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners

Though there are scores of transcription companies online, some require past experience with transcribing.

So, to help you in your quest to start a new career path at home, here’s a list of 30 of the best online transcription jobs for beginners.

TranscribeMe

If you are looking for online transcription jobs for beginners, TranscribeMe is an ideal place to start as no previous experience is needed.

Most transcription files are around two audio minutes. And all files must be transcribed per the company’s guidelines.

However, to join you do have to pass a rigorous test consisting of multiple choice, true/false, and one 4-minute audio file.

The good news is that you have 2 attempts per test to pass every section. If you fail, you can take the test again as many times as you like in order to pass. 

1-888-TYPE-IT-UP

888-TYPE-IT-UP values accuracy over speed. And that shows in their test assessment during the application process. There is no time limit for submitting the test.

Pay starts at $30 per audio hour, and pay is sent out twice a month via PayPal. And they do accept applicants as young as 14 years old, but you do then require guardian consent.

This company does require a fee for processing your application test and fees vary based upon how quickly you would like it reviewed.

3Play Media

At 3Play Media, you work on transcribing audio files or reviewing and perfecting existing transcriptions. Successful candidates must be able to type 75 WPM and pass a series of proficiency tests.

You can work from anywhere within the U.S. as long as you are at least 18 years of age. Pay is based per project and range from $10 to $30 per audio hour.

Accutran Global

Working from home with complete flexibility in hours, transcribing at Accutran Global will always bring you something different as they work with a plethora of different industries.

Transcriptionists should be able to type at least 70 WPM. Pay starts at $.40 per audio minute with payments made monthly via direct deposit.

Allegis

At Allegis Transcription, you can specialize in insurance or legal transcription or work as an independent general transcriptionist contractor. To apply, you must be based in the U.S.

You should be able to type at least 75 WPM as well as be available for several weeks to practice quality requirements. And you need to be available to turn around assignments within 24 hours.

Pay ranges from $0.40 to $1.75 per audio minute. The pay rate depends on the job, turnaround time, and accuracy of the work submitted.

As a contractor, your work hours are flexible but note that job deadlines are posted in EST.

After submitting your resume, if selected, you then need to pass several tests. And if you pass, you start a probation period of transcribing to ensure that you have the quality standards they are looking for.

Casting Words

All work with Casting Words is on a freelance basis. So, you have the flexibility with your schedule to work when it’s convenient for you.

To apply, you need to create an account and then take a test to see if you are qualified.

CrowdSurf

At CrowdSurf, the focus is on providing captions for videos for deaf/hard of hearing and second language viewers can still enjoy the content.

The more transcriptionist jobs online you complete combined with your ability to maintain a high-quality score on your work will help with receiving an increase in pay.

Daily Transcription

Daily Transcription is the perfect company for those looking for online transcription jobs for beginners. Previous experience is not needed to apply, only attention to detail and the ability to type at least 50 WPM.

You are assigned work from various industries based upon the hours you sign up for within the company’s scheduling system.

Applicants must be based in the U.S. or Canada. And Daily Transcription pays between $0.75 to $0.85 per audio minute. Payment is made weekly via check.

Focus Forward

Not only can you choose the days and time you work at Focus Forward, but you can work from anywhere in the world making this an ideal company for freelance transcription jobs.

And the application process is very straightforward. All you need to do is download an audio file, transcribe the audio, complete the application and you should hear back within 48 hours of submitting.

Payments are made twice a month via PayPal.

GMR Transcription

GMR Transcription is one of the best online transcription jobs both beginners and those with experience at transcribing.

And as your experience grows in GMR, so too does your pay, there are opportunities for higher paying assignments if you are willing to take on quick turnaround files or more difficult files.

And best of all, you make your schedule on GMR Transcription. So, it’s completely flexible and you can work as little or as much as you like.

To apply, there’s just a short form to complete followed by a test. Unfortunately, they cannot hire people based in California.

Go Transcript

Go Transcript is a great company to apply to secure a transcription job online for beginners.

They offer flexible hours so you decide when you work and how much you work. You also can pick the projects you want to work on.

The application process does require a test assessment as well as identity verification. Go Transcript pays weekly via PayPal.

Hollywood Transcriptions

With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Hollywood Transcriptions serves businesses in the entertainment, academic, legal, and corporate industries.

Successful applicants must be able to type at least 65 WPM and work to deadlines.

Pacific Transcription

This Australian based company accepts transcriptionists from around the world, including the U.S.

Though freelance contractors at Pacific Transcription can be flexible with their schedules, you must commit to transcribing at least 4 hours of audio a week with 3 of those hours completed during normal business hours.

During the application process, you are required to take a typing and hearing test. And successful candidates must pass a background check.

Quick Tate

There’s no shortage of what you can transcribe at QuickTate. Audio files include legal notes, general reports, medical reports, letters, voicemail messages, and insurance notes.

If hired, you request files to transcribe when it is convenient for you. Pay starts at $0.0025 per word but higher rates are available depending on the file type.

Rev

Rev offers a variety of transcribing services from converting audio files to text, adding captions to video, creating foreign subtitles, and translating.

With a steady stream of freelance jobs to choose from, you are able to work a flexible schedule that suits your needs.

Pay varies per the type of assignment. Transcriptionists can earn between $0.30 – $1.10 per audio/video minute.

Captioners make $0.54 – $1.10 per audio/video minute. And if you can translate, you are looking at around $1.50 to $3.00 per audio/video minute.

RNK Productions

RNK Production is looking for working professionals who now stay at home (in the U.S. only). If you are detail orientated and can meet deadlines, this is a great opportunity for supplemental income.

Pay is $1 per audio minute with payments made via direct deposit.

Scribie

Scribie has a reputation for constantly having online transcriptions jobs for beginners. At Scribie, you will be transcribing either audio or video files.

It helps to have a comprehension of American, British, Australian and Indian accents. Pay varies between $5 to $25 per audio hour. And, they give a bonus of $5 for each month you complete 3 audio hours of transcribing.

Most applicants hear within one business day if their application was accepted or rejected. If accepted, you are then invited to take a test.

If you pass the QC check, you are then certified to work at Scribie. If you fail, you are welcome to try the test again. And with Scribie, you have 10 attempts to pass the transcription test.

You must have a verified PayPal account to work at Scribie. And you can withdraw earnings at any time.

Speachpad

Speechpad is always looking for experienced and beginning transcriptionists for audio files and captioning.

Pay varies from $0.25/minute to $1.00/minute depending on experience. Payment is twice a week via PayPal.

To apply, you must be a resident in the United States (California residents are the exception), Europe, Canada, and Australia.

Speak Write

With average earnings of $450 a month, you can work as little or as much as you want at Speak Write, though you should be available at least 4 hours a week.

Speak Write works with different industries, you can expect every assignment to be different.

To apply, you need to be able to type at least 60 WPM with a minimum of 90% accuracy. Applicants must reside in either the U.S. or Canada, but California residents are excluded.

Payments are made twice a month via either direct deposit or check.

Sync Script

With over 20 years in the business, Sync Script always has work from home transcription jobs.

To apply, you must be based in the U.S. Though hours are flexible, you must be able to complete at least three hours of audio files per week.

Pay is between $0.57 to $0.63 per audio minute. To apply, you need to provide a sample transcription as well as pass a grammar test.

Tigerfish

With a solid reputation, Tigerfish has worked with some of the biggest names in the business. And, Tigerfish has a straight forward application process.

First, you need to review their style guides before transcribing an audio file. The emphasis on the transcription is accurate and not speed for the test.

Then you enter your details and how many hours a week you are looking to work.

After submission, it may be several weeks before you hear a response.

Transcript Divas

Transcript Divas offers transcription services for film and video, academic, legal records, and market research.

Rates do fluctuate based upon the difficulty and turnaround time for each assignment. Before applying, you must be able to commit at least 5 hours a week to transcribe files.

To apply, there’s a short form to complete as well as a place to upload your resume. Unfortunately, California residents cannot apply.

Transcribe.com

Getting work at Transcribe.com all starts with an assessment test. Before beginning, you will need to review the style guide.

With a flexible schedule, payments are made via PayPal.

Transcriptions ‘N’ Translations

Transcriptions ‘N’ Translations specializes in providing transcriptions to the entertainment industry and has over 21 years of service. People looking to do transcribing need to complete a form and upload a resume.

Transcription Outsourcing

An industry leader, Transcription Outsourcing offers transcriptions for legal, law enforcement, medical, and business industries.

Because of this, you can apply to join any of their industry- specific transcribing teams.

Only residents of the US are able to apply at this time. Applicants will need to complete a short form and upload a resume.

Unfortunately, only those that Transcription Outsourcing is interested in will receive a call about their application.

Ubiqus

Ubiqus is always looking for freelance contract transcribers on a part-time schedule. Though not completely flexible, the company does work to accommodate your schedule.

The pay rate is per word for each project. And pay is sent every two weeks.

To apply, you must be US based and a native English speaker. And successful applicants must undergo a background check.

VerbalInk

Paying a living wage to their transcription staff, Verbalink does attract a large number of applicants. If interested, you must submit your resume with a cover letter.

If contacted, applicants do need to pass a thorough screening process and background check.

Way with Words

Launched in 2002, Way with Words is an international transcribing company hiring people from around the world with the option of working freelance or full time.

It’s a great opportunity for landing online transcription jobs for beginners.

Pay varies from $0.45 to $1.73 per audio minute based upon the requirements of each project. If hired, you must be able to complete projects by the deadlines set by the client.

The application process involves several tests and assessments. Again, the focus on the tests is quality and not speed.

Way with Words is looking for people who have a firm grasp of grammar and the English language.

And as you grow in your experience with transcribing, you may want to consider offering your services on sites like Fiverr.

Working as your own freelance agent on transcription jobs from home, you can start to build up your own client base. Or, use it as an additional income stream.

So, starting in a new job field isn’t that difficult. Transcribing is an easy industry to break into that offers plenty of growth opportunities.

Finding online transcription jobs for beginners is easy. It doesn’t hurt to apply to several at one time to increase your chances of getting work right away.

Considering transcriptionist jobs online is a great way to earn supplemental income as well as start down a new career path. So, go on and give transcribing a try.

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