So, you’re a fast typist? With great listening skills? Perfect! A job in transcription could be on the cards.
Transcription is an awesome work-from-home job. With a little practice and the right equipment, it’s a fantastic way to make a bit of cash.
Are you ready to get started?
Wait! Not all transcription jobs created are equal. Many employers don’t realize the value of an excellent transcriber, and this can lead to them severely underpaying their employees. It can be difficult to find a position with a decent rate of pay. It takes time and effort to find the right role.
So, here is a list of the best remote transcription jobs that pay well to aid you on your quest, but before I get to them, let’s just take a look at…
What Is Transcription?
To put it in the easiest possible terms, transcription is writing down what you hear. It involves listening closely to a recording, then typing the words out exactly as said. Sounds easy, right?
Wrong! Not so easy…
Transcription is trickier than you might expect. It requires a lot of effort and can be pretty dull. Transcribers need to have certain skills and qualities to be successful in this field. And it helps if you have the right equipment as well. It’s not a case of simply listening to a recording on your phone. Transcribers should have the right tools to effectively do the job.
What Do You Need To Be A Transcriber?
Well, the first thing you’ll need is fast typing skills! No employer wants to hire someone who takes a long time to write. Most professional transcribers can do 65-75 words per minute, though highly-skilled typists can write more than 120 words per minute.
Your typing speed will affect the jobs you’ll get. Medical transcriptionists must be incredibly fast, as should court reporters. Other positions may accept slower typists, but in general, the faster, the better.
What else?
Patience is a virtue! Transcribing gets old, fast. It helps if you can keep boredom at bay and have the ability to stay focused. And a good eye for detail is also a must. It’s easy to make silly mistakes, especially when you’re typing at speed. A great transcriber should be able to spot mistakes and rectify them as quickly as possible.
What about equipment?
Obviously, you’ll need a computer. It doesn’t have to be a super-fancy device – something simple will do. It’s better to choose a PC over a MAC, though, for reasons that I’ll come to later. A quality headset is also a must. Over-the-ear, noise-canceling headphones such as these are probably your best bet. Not only do they aid concentration, but they’re the most comfortable too.
And then there’s a foot pedal. This is used to control the audio. The transcriber can speed up, slow down, or rewind the tape using their foot rather than taking their hands off the keyboard. If this is something you need, the dictation store has plenty of options to suit every budget.
Is that all?
Not quite! There are a few more things needed yet. A good transcriber needs software too. Make sure you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer. This is the program most employers will expect you to use. It is possible to use other typing programs, but Word is the most common one.
And remember how I mentioned earlier that it’s better to use a PC than a MAC? That’s because you need transcribing software like Express Scribe. Many of these programs are not MAC-compatible, so save yourself a headache by using a PC.
Wow! That’s a lot of stuff!
Yep! And that’s just the gear that’s necessary for the job. There are plenty of optional extras you might want as well. An ergonomic desk chair is always a good idea. At first, it may seem like a needless expense, but remember, you’ll be sitting in it for a long time. It’s important to be comfortable to help with your concentration.
And as for extra software, a text expander helps with words that are frequently used. It saves a lot of time, and it can improve typing speeds by as much as 30%. Phrase Express is an awesome option, and happily, it’s compatible with both PC and MAC.
And just one more thing…
Transcribers often specialize in a certain subject. And some, such as the medical and law fields, require specific language to be used. Make sure you’ve got a good medical dictionary or law dictionary to avoid any embarrassing mistakes.
The Best Remote Transcription Jobs That Pay Well
OK! You’ve got your comfy chair, you’ve downloaded the software, and you’ve practiced typing. It’s time to start applying for some jobs!
Transcribeme.com
This California-based company has some of the highest-paying transcription jobs around. Their rate of pay starts at $15 per audio hour and can go up to as much as $22 per hour. The monthly pay of a transcriber averages out at $250, though top-earners can make a whopping $2200!
Get a boost…
This is a fantastic company for transcribers who want to progress in the field. Transcribe me prefers to promote from within, so there are plenty of opportunities for advancement. It’s also a well-respected organization, so having it on your resume is sure to help with future jobs.
Go Transcript
Flexibility is the name of the game with Go Transcript. This company allows its employees to work as much, or as little, as they want. They can also choose their own projects based on their knowledge and abilities.
It’s all about the money, money, money…
Staff is paid weekly via PayPal or Payoneer. The average rate of pay is about $0.60 per minute, though, of course, that will vary. There’s the possibility of earning up to a huge $1215 per month, though realistically, it’s likely to be a lot less than that.
Happyscribe
Happyscribe is a European company but hires transcribers from all over the globe. Don’t worry, though; you won’t be paid in Euros! They pay by bank transfer in your local currency once every two weeks.
Got the skills to pay the bills?
Happyscribe holds its transcribers to an extremely high standard, and the initial assessment is strict. However, the compensation on offer is more than generous. You can expect 0.90 euros (about $0.97) per minute, and the average monthly pay is 450 euros.
SyncScript
If you’re looking for your first transcription job and want to gain a bit of experience, SyncScript could be the ideal fit. They always have openings, and the new employee assessment is straightforward and easily accessible. They ask for candidates with a typing speed of roughly 70 words per minute and 98% accuracy.
How’s the pay?
It’s not quite as much as the other companies. You can expect $0.57 – $0.67 per minute, depending on the project. It does promise regular work, however, as employees must commit to a minimum of three hours per week.
Daily Transcription
With a typing speed requirement of just 50 words per minute, Daily Transcription is another great company for those just starting in the field. And what’s more, the rate of pay is awesome! They offer $0.75 – $0.85 per audio minute.
Learn as you go…
Daily Transcription is also great for beginners, thanks to its commitment to training. They provide plenty of resources for on-the-job learning to help bring your writing up to scratch. And the faster and more accurate you become, the more you can expect to be paid!
Ubquis
Ubquis works in a range of different languages and a variety of fields. So, if you’ve got a wide and varied skillset, then this could be the company for you.
And as for the pay…
This is a bit different from most other companies. Ubquis does not pay per audio minute. Instead, they pay per word. That means that it’s impossible to know exactly how much you’ll be paid until you’ve completed the task. It averages out at around $1 per minute, but that can vary wildly. If you don’t mind a bit of uncertainty, though, it’s a pretty great job.
Rev
Rev is a huge company and is therefore always looking for new transcribers! The hiring process is fairly simple, comprising of a grammar test and a transcription assignment. Once you’ve passed those, you can get to work.
Are you experienced?
Rev doesn’t require its staff to have previous experience and can help with on-the-job training. However, the pay is a little lower than some other companies. It starts at just $0.30 per minute, though once you get faster, it could go up to as much as $1.10 per minute.
Alternative Remote Jobs For You!
If you have your heart set on working from home, then our wide selection of companies in many fields is just what you need!
Let’s start with our Companies That Hire For Remote Medical Coding Jobs, Companies That Hire For Remote Work From Home Customer Service Jobs, as well as our Companies That Hire For Remote Travel Agent And Hospitality Jobs, our Companies That Hire For Remote Marketing Jobs, and much much more!
We also have our Great Remote Computer And Tech Jobs, our Companies That Hire For Remote Work From Home Healthcare Jobs, or how about our Companies That Hire For Remote Education Jobs, our Companies That Hire For Remote Health Coach Jobs, and our Companies That Hire For Remote Consulting Jobs.
Lastly, if you are looking for tips on how to stay productive when working from home, we recommend The Ultimate Guide To Remote Work: 900 Tips, Strategies and Insights, or how about The Future of the Office: Work from Home, Remote Work, and the Hard Choices We All Face, and the very insightful Out of Office: The Big Problem and Bigger Promise of Working from Home, all available online in 2023.
Best Remote Transcription Jobs That Pay Well – Final Thoughts
There’s a lot more to transcription than you might first think. Sure, it seems like an easy gig, but it requires certain skills and equipment. It certainly isn’t a job for everyone.
But if you think you’re a good fit, then give it a go! Practice those typing skills and once you’re hitting around 70 words per minute, get some applications in. Remember; you’ll only improve if you put the effort in.
So, happy transcribing, folks!
Hey there, I really like your blog! I really agree with this as I am a medical scribe for an outsourcing company.