Transcription is a much sought-after and rewarding career for freelancers with excellent listening and typing skills. While some types of transcription jobs in the medical or legal field may need expert and certified transcribers, you will still find plenty of online transcription jobs that need no experience.

But are there opportunities out there for human transcribers with the increased use of AI tech and other automated softwares?

Absolutely! Accuracy is key.

Automated transcription softwares are not 100% reliable yet, especially when it comes to strong accents, different dialects or slangs. Be it speaking gigs, videos or podcasts, companies prefer hiring skilled contractors to transcribe their files to fulfill their accuracy needs.

This means, with the sudden boom in the use of audio and video content marketing by online businesses, transcribers are much in demand in every type of industry now.

In this post, I have gathered a list of transcription jobs that need no experience to help beginners gain some experience and earn some decent side income. You will be required to pass tests to become an independent contractor. Note that the pay rates and availability of open positions could change over time.

Where To Find Transcription Jobs That Need No Experience

Now that you are looking to start your transcription career, here are some basics about what this job involves. Then, I will show you skills you can develop to excel and grow fast in this industry.

What Does A Transcriptionist Do

Who is a transcriptionist – A transcriptionist, also called a transcriber converts an audio or video file to text format. They listen to the audio and type it out word for word.

What audio will you be transcribing – You could be asked to transcribe college lectures, conferences, podcasts, legal proceeding, business meetings, speeches, interviews, financial discussions, focus groups, personal conversations, and more depending on the company.

Common challenges for transcribers – Transcription jobs are not just about listening to audio files and typing it out. Transcribers have to deal with industry-specific lingo, overlapping voices, inaudible audio and so on. The work is also repetitive and at times mentally exhausting.

Time taken to transcribe one hour of audio – Most companies pay per audio minute. To transcribe one minute of audio, it may take you 4-5 minutes as an entry-level worker. The time taken also depends on the audio quality and multiple speakers. It took me an hour to transcribe my first 10 minute file. This improved over time once I got familiar with the style guide and improved my typing speed.

Things Needed To Work At Home As A Transcriptionist

Mostly, you just need a computer, a good quality headset (options – 1, 2, 3) and high speed internet. But if you are looking to improve your speed and efficiency, you may also want to invest in –

• A foot pedal – Option 1 or Option 2
• Possibly a software like Express Scribe or FTW Transcriber (Some companies prefer a specific software so check their requirements)

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26 Sites That Offer Transcription Jobs That Need No Experience

Note: Trancribers from the state of California and few other U.S. states are not being accepted as per the law. Check the company websites for more details.

1. AccuTran Global

This company is looking for transcribers, voice writers and stenographers from the U.S. and Canada. Though they hire beginners, you need to pass their test and have a typing speed of 70 wpm. Once you start improving on your accuracy, you will gain access to higher paying gigs and also receive bonuses for tougher projects.

• Pay per audio minute: possibly $0.004-$0.005 and about $0.40 for longer projects
• Payment method: via direct deposit

Related Post – Make Money Online As A Transcriptionist: AccuTran Global Review

2. Allegis Transcription

They hire independent contractors with all levels of experience for insurance and legal transcription work. The work flow is steady and the job is flexible. This company requires you to participate in their quality development program. You will be set to accept jobs after completing the program. The pay is per page. They do require you complete certain amount of work each week.

• Pay: approximately $13–$17 per hour
• Payment method: via ACH

3. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)

This is a crowdsourcing platform that offers variety of work including transcription, translation, writing, surveys, data entry and more such tasks to their workers. Register for a worker account and follow prompts to set it up properly. Mturk is open to many countries. Some tasks have country specific restrictions as well. You will find a list of available jobs (HITs) on your page.

• Pay per audio minute: It varies. Online reviews suggest $0.01 and $0.05
• Payment method: U.S. bank account or Amazon GC

4. Appen Language Jobs

Appen hires contractors with all levels of experience from all over the world for various positions like transcription, translation and other language services. To apply, sign up here. You will need to pass their tests. Payments are made monthly.

• Pay: Information varies. Forums show $.07-$0.8 per audio minute while reviews claim $.015 per word
• Payment method: PayPal or Payoneer or direct bank transfer

5. Audio Transcription Center

This site hires independent contractors from across the U.S. Prior experience is not a requirement but they do need you to type 80 wpm to hand in the transcribed work within 24 hours or less. Most of their work is around historical archives. The payment is made weekly. You can apply directly through their site or through Indeed.

• Pay: $15-$18 per hour but differs for some projects
• Payment method: PayPal or Payoneer or direct bank transfer

6. Babbletype

Babbletype, specializing in market research transcription, hires transcribers and translators from multiple countries. They do not hire from California. I hear the selection process is bit tedious but they do hire beginners with no experience. The payment is made weekly.

• Pay per audio minute: possibly $0.45-$0.60
• Payment method: PayPal

7. CastingWords

CastingWords offers flexible transcription, editing and QA jobs to workers across the globe. They have a detailed style guide you need to get familiar with before picking up projects. They have a ranking system that allows you to earn badges. The pay depends on the type of job, your level and the grade you earn for your work.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.085-$1
• Payment method: PayPal

8. CrowdSurf

They specialize in transcription and captioning services for various media like cartoons, interviews and more. They hire contractors with little to no experience from across the globe. Even though you will start with basic level transcription, you will be provided opportunity to advance to higher paying tasks. You can find their application process here and yes, there is a short test.

• Pay per audio minute: possibly $0.08 – $0.20
• Payment method: PayPal or direct bank transfer

9. Daily Transcription

They hire from US, Canada, UK and New Zealand for their general transcription work. It is advisable to get yourself properly trained before applying, as apparently the test is hard to get through and you are given just one chance to pass the test.

• Pay per audio minute: around $0.75-$0.80
• Payment method: Check usually

10. eScribers

eScribers offer flexible court reporting and legal transcription jobs in the U.S. Their website mentions that prior experience is not a requirement but it will be helpful if you are certified and have transcription experience. They do require their legal transcribers to have a high school diploma or equivalent qualification as well as a typing speed of 65 wpm. They make weekly payments. Check out their open positions here.

• Pay: per word or per page depending on the client + incentive program with bonuses
• Payment method: via direct deposit

11. Focus Forward or FFTranscription

Focus Forward, founded in 2003, is a well known online company hiring independent contractors from across the globe for all kinds of voice to text transcription. They also pay higher rates for translators. The job is flexible and they provide a scheduling tool so you can update them about your availability in advance. Payments are made bi-monthly.

• Pay per audio minute: possibly $0.40-$0.50
• Payment method: PayPal or Payoneer

12. GMR Transcription

This site provides English and Spanish transcription work to contractors in the U.S. Their test is said to be very tough. You need to commit to work at least 10 hours per week. They may not have openings for English transcribers at all times but are always looking for Spanish transcribers. Pay rates depend on quality of the audio, number of speakers and turn-around time.

• Pay per month: $1,000 to $3,000 depending on skills and the work
• Payment method: Not mentioned

13. GoTranscript

GoTranscript offers flexible remote positions worldwide. As per their application process, you need to register first, learn their guidelines and then apply to take the test. You need to score 95% or more on their test to qualify and you are allowed to retake the test if you fail. Currently, they do not have open positions for English transcribers. So, keep a lookout on their job page.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.60
• Payment method: PayPal and Payoneer

14. Kendall Creek Communications

This U.S. based company provides transcription for legal, video conferences, general business, dissertations and more. The general feedback is that proper training is lacking in some way but the support team responds fast to any queries. There is plenty of work and payments are made on time. The pay is per audio for projects from clients holding Senate and House contracts and the pay for legal work is per page.

• Pay: 1.25 to 2.00 double spaced page for legal
• Payment method: Not mentioned

15. Neal R. Gross & Co. (NRGCO)

NRGCO is a court reporting and transcription company who are looking for legal and general transcribers. They are offering work at home opportunity with no experience necessary. You should be available to complete at least 3 audio hours per week. Payment is made bi-weekly. Submit your resume here.

• Estimated pay: $33.9K – $42.9K a year
• Payment method: Not mentioned

16. Rev

Rev is a popular online company that offers transcription, captioning and subtitling services. They only hire talent for transcription and captioning from the countries listed here. More countries may be included in their foreign language subtitling job opportunities. They pay weekly.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.30-$1.10
• Payment method: PayPal

17. RNK Productions

This company specializes in television production and hires skilled transcriptionists from the U.S. Though they have not specified that prior experience is a must, they do consider it a bonus if you have prior legal or entertainment transcription experience. If interested, send in your resume using the form here.

• Pay per audio minute: $1.00 as per online sources
• Payment method: Possibly through checks

18. Scribie

Scribie offers remote transcription jobs for both beginner as well as experienced transcribers. As long as your country supports PayPal, you can apply. Based on your performance, you have the opportunity to advance from a transcriber to proofreader, QC or a reviewer. The pay is lesser comparatively. Make sure you go through their guidelines before applying.

• Pay per audio minute: $.08-$0.3 approximately
• Payment method: PayPal

19. Speechpad

Speechpad offers general transcription work to newcomers. Payments are made twice a week. You have the chance to advance to higher paying gigs and to receive bonuses. The site might be open to U.S. only. They are not currently accepting new applications but they could have openings in the future. So do not forget to check back on their worker page.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.25-$1.0
• Payment method: PayPal

19. Tigerfish

They do not have any openings at the moment. But when they have availability, they will post it here. There is not much information on their website but reports suggest that the pay rate is low comparatively but specialized projects have higher pay. They accept applicants from the U.S. only. Tigerfish does not pay per audio minute, they pay cents per line (CPL).

• Pay per word: $0.005 approximately
• Payment method: PayPal

20. TranscribeMe

This transcription company boasts of the highest pay in the industry, regular work, is open worldwide (they do not hire from California and Massachusetts) and also provides advancement opportunities. If you are in, you are required to work on at least one job per month. Their support team is very friendly and quick to respond.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.25-$0.36 approximately
• Payment method: PayPal

21. Transcription HUB

This site does not specifically mention experience as part of their requirements. You do have to complete an evaluation process that will allow you to be grouped into different levels. The work is flexible though you are required to submit your work in 24 hours after picking up the files.

• Pay: Not mentioned though amount is per minute transcribed
• Payment method: via direct deposit or PayPal

22. Ubiqus On Demand

Earlier called Verbal Ink, this company hires transcribers from North America for English and other language transcription. If you are interested, apply here. They claim to pay living wage to their transcribers and sources suggest they hire newbies with no prior experience.

• Pay: No info on the site but average salary seems to be $60,729 per year
• Payment method: PayPal

23. Upwork

This is not transcription company but a freelance marketplace where you can look for work at home opportunities. Note that Upwork charges 10% service fee on your earnings. Transcribers of all levels can find work here. Be careful though, as freelance marketplaces and job boards come with their share of scammers posting fake jobs.

• Pay: Depends on the project and the client
• Payment method: PayPal, Payoneer, direct deposit and more

24. Way With Words Jobs

Launched in 2002, this company offers English audio and video transcription solutions. They hire talent with no experience from many countries and payments are made monthly. Though registrations are currently closed, I am leaving this company on this list here, so you can check back later for future openings.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.45 – $1.73
• Payment method: PayPal

25. 3Play Media

This company provides remote captioning and transcription work to independent contractors. Currently, they are looking for English and Spanish transcribers. They offer new job types as you hone your skills working with them. Payment is made weekly. It is possible they hire U.S. based applicants only.

• Pay per audio minute: Sources say $0.35
• Payment method: Direct deposits for contractors in the U.S. and possibly PayPal for others

26. 1-888-TYPE-IT-UP

This company is currently hiring. As long as you pass their test, lack of experience doesn’t matter. Though they do not provide raises, they do offer occasional bonuses. You must be 14 years and above to work with them. Transcribers from outside the U.S. can apply. Note that they now have a non-refundable exam fee of $59. Tread with caution as you need to pay another fee to retake the entrance exam.

• Pay per audio minute: $0.50-$3
• Payment method: PayPal (Payoneer if your country does not accept PayPal)

Your best bet to find regular transcription jobs with no experience, is to sign up for as many companies that fits your preferences. You may not find open positions at all times so if you register with multiple companies, it broadens your scope of getting work regularly. The more experience you gain, more work you will find.

What’s The Pay Like For Online Transcription Jobs That Need No Experience

Many sites pay per audio minute while others pay per word, line or per page transcribed. There are many factors determining your pay such as, the complexity and length of the job, your work level and performance grade in some cases. Experienced transcribers may earn more for the same project than an entry-level worker.

As per ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay for a beginner transcriptionist is about $17.43 an hour in the U.S.

If you are a beginner, you can expect to earn around $7-$10 an hour. This will vary depending on your typing speed and availability of well-paying projects. As you gain experience, the pay rate can go up to $20-$30 or more an hour.

You can also earn more in specialized roles, for example, rates may be higher for a medical or a legal transcription job than general transcription jobs that need no experience. If you are bilingual, more opportunities open up for you.

The best way to earn a good living as a work at home transcriptionist is to gain private long-term clients.

From what I have seen, remote transcription jobs do not pay that well at an entry-level. Some of them pay well below the minimum wage.

Now, this is no reason to lose heart. You need to start somewhere to gain experience. When you start building from the ground up and commit to improving your skills, you will soon gain access to higher paying gigs and earn a more lucrative income as well.

Skills To Level Up As A Transcriptionist

Transcription is not for everyone. If you are serious about becoming a transcriber, know that the work could be sometimes boring and it takes a while to establish yourself as an expert. When you start out, the low pay is uninspiring as well. It takes hard work, practice and commitment to make it big in this industry. But the rewards are well worth it.

Here are some skillsets you need to develop and strengthen to to make your mark as a transcriber:

• Ability to apply context
• Excellent command over grammar and written communication
• Good time-management skills
• Adept at research (terminology, jargon and so on)
• Attention to detail
• Relatively fast typing speed
• Neat formatting skills
• Strict adherence to agreements and guidelines
• Effective time stamping skills
• Clear and timely communication with client or support teams

Psst! Looking for more transcription jobs like this? Find your next flexible online job opportunity, get legit strategies to start and grow your work at home business, and join our family of like-minded entrepreneurs.

The Best Way To Earn From Transcription Jobs That Need No Experience

Invest In Yourself

Working with private clients is where all the money is. So, if you would like to start a flourishing business in transcription, it is a good idea to invest in training yourself first.

The Transcribe Anywhere General Transcription course is one of the most recommended transcription course available online today. You get to learn the basics of transcription with lots of practice files and will also learn where to find high-paying transcription jobs. Sign up for their free 7-day workshop and see if a career in transcription is best suited for you.

If you are interested in legal transcription, here is an all-inclusive online training course to get you certified and started.

Here is another free mini-course on general transcription you can try out. It comprises of 10 lessons and gives you a basic introduction on what transcription is all about.

Another popular course that will help you launch a full-blown medical transcription career is offered by CareerStep.

Work On Speed and Accuracy

To obtain regular work and higher paying gigs you need to work on improving your typing speed and accuracy. You can do this with continuous practice.

Choose a subject with unfamiliar or complex vocabulary and use it for practice. You can also try a story with punctuation and quotation marks alternatively. Calculate the time and improve your speed. Get familiar with your keyboard and learn typing shortcuts.

Find videos with multiple speakers with different accents. YouTube is a good source for finding free audio to practice your typing.

You can also use this resource to help you speed up your typing and some practice transcription files from NCH software for those using Express Scribe software.

Lay The Foundation

If you do not want to work as a contractor for the sites above, you can always start your own transcription business. The first step is to decide on your niche – legal, financial, medical, general, entertainment and so on.

Next, create a business profile and build an online presence using social media channels like Facebook and LinkedIn. Create an attention-grabbing landing page to sell your services exclusively. Make sure set reasonable yet competitive rates.

Use video content marketing to attract potential clients, create trust and improve your SEO ranking on Google. Hand out business cards at events in your industry.

Find Clients

Do your research on potential clients and cold email them.

Where to find clients – Businesses in your chosen niche, market research companies, video production companies, pr agencies, government organizations, TV and radio production companies, e-learning industry and more. Also try reaching out to content creators, academic researchers, podcasters, authors, bloggers, YouTubers, public speakers and journalists.

You can also find long-term clients by offering exceptional service and building relationships at freelance marketplaces and job boards like Freelancer, Fiverr etc. Though the pay is low for beginners here, this is a great way to collect client testimonials for your business.

Offer referral bonuses to your clients so they can send more people your way. Slowly and steadily build up your business with various marketing tactics and offering outstanding service to your customers.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you wish to launch your own business or would you rather build your skillset first by working for these companies that offer flexible transcription jobs that need no experience? Either ways, I would love to hear from you.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Don’t forget to subscribe for more work at home opportunities and share this post with your friends.