43 Online Transcription Jobs You Can Do from Home

More and more companies are looking for people who can do transcription jobs from home.

Can you listen to audio files attentively? Are you a whiz with spelling and grammar? Can you accurately type 60 words per minute (WPM)?

If the answer’s yes, then there are several remote transcription companies that could use your services.

If you’re just after the list of transcription companies, jump here.

What Does A Transcription Job Involve?

At its core, transcription involves typing out speech or audio files into a written document.

Institutions and organizations that outsource their transcription needs include universities, media companies, hospitals, and even law enforcement.

Individuals, such as vloggers and podcasters, may also hire transcriptionists to help caption their work and make them accessible to deaf or hard of hearing people.

If you’re only starting out, being a general transcriptionist is a good way to go. You don’t have to have specialized training or knowledge, and you’ll be able to work with a wide variety of audio files, such as college lectures, business meetings, speeches, personal conversations, dictations, notes, and many more.

Other transcriptionists who have knowledge of a specific field of study or industry go into specialized transcription jobs, such as medical transcription, legal transcription, or financial transcription. These require more specialized training, especially for jargon and industry-specific shortcuts and phrases, but they pay more per hour than general transcription jobs.

Also, those who are insanely quick and accurate typists may go into closed-captioning where a live show or speech is transcribed in real-time.

How much can online transcribers make?

The average salary for online transcription jobs comes in at around $15 per hour. Entry-level jobs start around $10 to $12 per hour and specialized transcription jobs, mostly those in the medical field, can fetch as much as $30 per hour.

Like every other job, seniority, experience, and length of time with one company will all factor into how much you can make.

How to earn more money doing transcription jobs from home

Janet Shaughnessy of Transcribe Anywhere has put together an incredible 7-Day Transcription mini-course that will help you get paid what you’re actually worth.

The course is perfect for those who are both just starting their journey to become a transcriptionist and those looking for ways to improve their existing earnings.

Plus, it’s free. Win-win-win!

So, which companies are looking for transcribers?

43 Transcription Jobs You Can Do From Home

Transcriptionists are almost always in-demand. The following companies have open hiring pretty much all year round.

I’ve rounded up the most complete list of companies currently hiring. If you can’t find a remote transcription job from this list, this line of work probably isn’t for you.

1. AccuTran Global

AccuTran is another company that continually has open online transcription jobs.

They pride themselves on fast turnaround times for their customers. For you, this means you must be able to provide fast, accurate transcriptions.

Pay does compensate for some of the requirements they ask of you.

2. VIQ Solutions

VIQ Solutions provides various software and transcription services targeted to the legal, law enforcement, and insurance industries.

They’re on the lookout for work-from-home transcriptionists to do general transcription, insurance transcription, law enforcement transcription, legal transcription, and medical transcription.

3. Way With Words

This company hires transcriptionists from all around the world, and it states on its own website that it pays at a rate of $27 to $103.80 per audio hour.

This means that your actual hourly rate will vary depending on how fast you type.

Payment is sent monthly via PayPal. While the company doesn’t require that you purchase specialized software or a foot pedal, it does suggest getting headphones.

4. Quicktate

This company is good for transcriptionists who don’t yet have a lot of experience in the field or can’t do hours of audio transcription.

With Quicktate, you’ll be transcribing shorter files (less than 5 minutes).

The pay for this work is a quarter penny per transcribed word.

Once you become comfortable with this format, you could be promoted to Quicktate’s sibling site, iDictate, which deals with audio files longer than 5 minutes, pays half a penny per transcribed word, and offers longer assignments.

5. Rev

This company offers a number of client services, including captioning, subtitles, translation, and transcription.

Once you pass the qualifier exam, you are free to take as few or as many transcription assignments as you’d like.

Payment ranges from $24 to $39 per audio hour, and they estimate that the average transcriptionist earns $245 a month, depending on how many assignments one accepts.

6. SpeakWrite

This Austin, Texas company provides legal, law enforcement, protective services, and general transcription services.

As an SW transcriptionist, you should expect to earn $11 to $13 per hour, although your rate will increase as you become more proficient at transcribing.

The average monthly earnings of a transcriptionist are around $450 but this has been known to go up to $3,400 depending on the number and quality of audio files transcribed.

They’re hiring transcriptionists with at least 1 year of transcription and word processing experience for general transcription, and those with 1 year of experience or more in a law firm for legal transcription. However, they’re not currently hiring California residents.

7. Tigerfish

This company has been around since 1989 and accepts a variety of projects, including video productions, legal proceedings, medical dictations and notes, and corporate and academic lectures.

The company doesn’t advertise its pay rate; however, Glassdoor reports that transcriptionists earn half a penny per word.

Tigerfish periodically hires for entry-level as well as for more complex online transcription jobs, but they’re currently not hiring transcribers. It’s worth checking back on this page.

8. TranscribeMe

TranscribeMe is a fairly well-known transcription company, which means you’ll probably be placed on its waiting list once you pass its short transcription test.

After getting hired, your projects will consist of transcribing short audio files that range from 10 seconds to 1 minute.

That translates to earning $20 per hour if you complete a sufficient number of files with high quality.

The good news about TranscribeMe is that you’ll need no special software to complete your work, and weekly payments will be deposited into your PayPal account.

9. Ubiqus

This company hires for many types of online transcription jobs, including corporate, medical, and legal audio files.

They also do a lot of foreign language translation and interpretation work.

According to salary disclosures on Glassdoor, work-at-home transcriptionists earn up to $20 per hour with Ubiqus.

However, to achieve this level of pay, you will need a typing speed of at least 70 WPM.

A transcription qualification test must be taken and passed before getting hired.

10. 3PlayMedia

This Boston-based company got its start in 2007 and regularly hires both in-house and remote transcript editors. According to Glassdoor, transcript editors earn an average of $18 to $19 per hour.

As a member of 3Play, you’ll be able to set your own working schedule; also, communication between the leaders and their employees is reported to be very good.

Otherwise, you’ll be left alone and expected to turn in your work on time (i.e., there is little to no micromanagement).

Overall, there are few complaints about this company and its management, and contractor feedback is generally positive.

11. GoTranscript

GoTranscript is one of the few companies that will hire anyone in the world. It doesn’t matter where you live as long as you are capable of transcribing 10 minutes of audio within 6 hours.

Transcribers earn an average of $150 per month.

This is quite possibly the best company to get your foot in the door as a transcriber.

12. Daily Transcription

One of the higher-paying online transcription jobs you can find as a beginner, paying more than many other transcription companies.

Daily Transcription offers round-the-clock services and earnings fall between $240 and $950 per week.

Training is provided and payments are made weekly by check.

13. AlphaSights

AlphaSights regularly has job postings available for freelance remote transcribers.

Look under the “Language Services” heading to find the most recent posts for home-based transcription jobs.

They are looking for experienced transcribers and you will be working as an independent contractor, meaning no benefits.

14. Focus Forward Transcription

FFTranscription offers a wide variety of work-from-home transcription jobs in industries such as marketing and sales, medical, legal, business, academia, and many more.

They hire worldwide, but you do need an active PayPal account in order to get paid.

Pay starts at $0.40 per audio minute but you’ll gain opportunities for higher pay with experience.

15. CastingWords

CastingWords is a transcription service that accepts audio files from a wide variety of sources.

To get hired, you need to join their workshop and provide basic information so they can direct you to their transcription test, in which you’re asked to transcribe a short audio file.

If your test is accepted, you can start familiarizing yourself with their style guide and take on jobs posted in their workshop.

The pay varies greatly because it’s highly dependent on the quality scores your transcript is given by their quality control agents.

16. Transcription Outsourcing, LLC

Transcription Outsourcing handles general transcription, as well as more specialized transcription jobs, namely, medical, legal, and business transcription.

To apply, fill out their online application form with all of the required information and then wait for them to contact you back to take grammar and transcription exams. They only hire US-based transcribers, and only qualified candidates are contacted back.

Legal, academic, and business transcriptions can pay as much as $48 to $66 per audio hour, and general transcriptions are paid lower.

17. GMR Transcription

GMR prides itself on taking a chance on entry-level transcribers, one of the few companies that offer transcription jobs from home to beginners.

Earnings come in anywhere between $1,000-$3,000 per month. Obviously, the more experience you have, the better chance you have at picking up higher-paying jobs.

There is the chance to get quick-turnaround jobs as well, and with that comes more pay.

18. Speechpad

SpeechPad is a provider of transcription services for various purposes and industries, including captioning video files.

The pay ranges from $0.25 to $2.50 per audio minute.

19. Babbletype

Babbletype specializes in audio-to-text transcription exclusively for market research. Recordings in other languages can be delivered as English language transcripts for a higher fee.

To get an online transcription job with Babbletype, watch the embedded video on their Apply For Work page on their website and find out whether you’re a good fit for the company, as they have very strict standards.

20. Scribie

Beginner-friendly Scribie is constantly hiring freelance transcriptionists to work on short files (10 minutes or less), with 2 hours turnaround time.

It pays around $5 to $25 per audio hour, depending on the quality of the file and how difficult it is to transcribe.

21. Athreon

Athreon provides speech-to-text transcription services mainly to doctors, but they also serve law enforcement, academics, and other professionals.

To qualify for transcription jobs from home, you’ll need to have finished a certified training program or have at least two years of transcription experience.

You’ll be considered an independent contractor and will be paid weekly via PayPal.

22. VoxTab

Voxtab offers a variety of services, including transcription, captioning, subtitling, and translation services.

Apply for an online transcription job by filling out an application form with your personal details and professional experience.

23. A and P Transcription Services

Their website looks a bit dated, but A and P Transcription Services is a legit company continuously looking for qualified home-based transcriptionists to join their team.

Aside from knowledge of English grammar and syntax, you’ll need to have one year of transcription experience, typing speed of 65 wpm and above, and a foot pedal and headphones.

To start your application, click on Employment Opportunities, fill out the form, attach your résumé, submit, and wait for feedback.

24. eScribers

eScribers is one of the fastest-growing legal transcription companies in the country, and they’re continually looking for independent contractors to transcribe as well as proofread transcripts.

To start your application, simply input your email address on their application page.

25. Hollywood Transcriptions

This Hollywood-based company provides transcription, translation, and captioning services to their clients. They only hire US-based transcribers who can type more than 65 wpm, own a foot pedal, and have their own computer.

Fill out the form and upload your résumé to start the application process.

26. Pioneer Transcription Services

Don’t be fooled by the website; this company has been around since 1990 and has worked with countless companies and individuals for their digital transcription needs.

They’re constantly looking for general transcriptionists to join their team. Simply fill out their application form and you’ll be contacted back with instructions on taking a short transcription test.

27. CrowdSurf

CrowdSurf provides transcription and captioning services and makes online media accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

This company is perfect for beginners to transcription jobs from home; they don’t require extra equipment; just you, your headphones, and your computer are enough to get you started.

Payment ranges from $0.17 to $0.20 per audio/video minute.

28. Audio Transcription Center

Audio Transcription Center has been offering transcription services to top academic institutions, government agencies, and financial organizations since 1966.

They do require a typing speed of 80 wpm with 98% accuracy and the ability to deliver files within 24 hours or less for an hour-long file.

Payment is at $60 per audio hour for English and $150 per audio hour for foreign language transcripts.

29. 2Scribe

2Scribe has been around since 2001, providing healthcare providers with transcription, dictation, and records-management solutions.

They’re accepting applications for home-based medical transcription jobs. Submit your application by emailing hr[at]2scribe[dot]com and wait for them to contact you back for software tutorials.

30. Allegis Transcription

Allegis Transcription has been offering reliable transcription services since 1996. They’re offering online transcription jobs to work as independent contractors who already have a foot pedal and headset.

They don’t publish their rates on their website, but other sites estimate that the average transcriptionist on Allegis makes $14 to $19 per hour.

31. eTranscription Solutions

eTranscription Solutions is an international web-based transcription service operating since 1999. They’re continuously hiring remote transcriptionists with verifiable experience and a high level of accuracy.

If you are interested to apply, fill out their contact form on this page.

32. Production Transcripts

Production Transcripts offer high-quality transcriptions for a variety of media types, such as interviews, speeches, conference calls, seminars, panel discussions, podcasts, and many more.

Fill out the application form in the above link to apply for an online transcription job.

33. Intentional Reach

Intentional Reach is the leading provider of church sermon transcription services in the US. While you don’t have to be a Christian to apply, it’s going to help you a lot in your job if you’re comfortable hearing, transcribing, and fact-checking sermons and other content produced by pastors.

If you don’t mind this at all and you meet their minimum requirements, go ahead and fill out an application.

34. Net Transcripts

Net Transcripts is a transcription company that specializes on law enforcement and criminal justice transcription.

Anyone with transcription experience can complete the online application form and attach a copy of their current resume in Microsoft Word format (.doc).

Net Transcripts pay per audio minute.

35. Transcription for Everyone

Transcription for Everyone is continuously looking for transcribers who can maintain high accuracy levels.

The company has general and legal transcription work available for beginner to experienced employees. They also promote editors in-house.

All Transcription for Everyone employees receive competitive pay.

36. OutSec

OutSec may be a UK-based company that offers transcription and typing services, but they hire transcribers from around the world.

You need to commit to at least 4 hours of work Monday to Friday.

Fill out the form here to get a slot at becoming one of OutSec’s highly-paid typists.

37. Neal R. Gross

Washington, DC native Neal R. Gross founded NRGCO in 1977.

The company has been regarded as the leading professional court reporting and transcription service company in the area for over 45 years.

If you’re an experienced transcriber and is willing to work on transcription services focused on government agencies, apply to Neal R. Gross.

38. Kendall Creek Communications

Kendall Creek Communications specializes in legal transcription.

Note that applying here requires a full background check due to the information and nature of work involved.

39. American High-Tech Transcription & Reporting

This company provides transcription services to professionals in the legal and insurance industries.

If you’re accepted as an employee of American High-Tech Transcription, your pay rates would vary by project.

40. Cyber Dictate

Cyber Dictate specializes in legal transcription services.

This company pays quite well. The downside is that they only accept US-based transcribers.

41. ProScribe

ProScribe provides medical transcription services.

The company is regularly looking for candidates with a passion for healthcare and at least 6-month time commitment.

What makes ProScribe awesome isn’t just the competitive rates, but also the potential for promotions. After all, they promote around 85 employees to leadership roles every year.

42. Sterling Transcription

Sterling Transcription provides transcription services, including medical, legal, and general transcription.

No beginners are accepted here though. But if you’ve got transcription experience and can commit to complete at least 4 hours of audio per week, you can expect competitive pay.

43. Transcript Associates

Transcript Associates offers general transcription services.

The company hires experienced transcribers and pay them on a per-audio-minute basis.

This company has high standards: you need to pass a couple of typing tests and have impeccable English grammar and vocabulary.

How to Snag Work-From-Home Transcription Jobs

You might meet all the job requirements for an online transcriptionist, but that doesn’t mean you’re sure to get hired.

To get noticed among thousands of other applicants, you have to nail your résumé.

Include your typing speed (with proof if you have it), highlight your accuracy with actual percentages, and if you’re multilingual, emphasize your familiarity with dialects, accents, and regional slang.

Another step is to ace your transcription exam.

If you don’t already know how to, train yourself to touch type to increase your typing speed. Brush up on spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Most importantly, practice transcribing audio files with different talking speeds, tone of voice, accents, and ambient noises.

Pull up some videos on YouTube or podcasts with more than one speaker and practice how to differentiate one speaker from another.

Above all, double- and triple-check your résumé and transcription examination before submitting them. A single spelling or grammar mistake can turn off the recruitment agent processing your application, especially if you’ve put “attention to detail” and “proficient in grammar” in your résumé under “Skills.”

Transcription Jobs You Can Do from Home: Is this Career For You?

Online transcription jobs are some of the few legitimate work-at-home jobs that are almost always in demand.

Most companies will allow you to work at your own pace and pick up jobs as you need.

You will need to hone your typing and listening skills to qualify, but the right combination of time and effort could land you a job that pays up to $50,000 entirely from home.

If typing isn’t your strong suit, you can probably find a better-suited job for you over in my list of work-from-home jobs here.