Online transcription jobs for beginners are effective ways to start earning. These jobs are plenty in numbers and easy to find.
Getting a job for a novice has always been a challenge. But, if you prepare well enough, finding a transcript job will not be an issue.

Do you already have a full-time day job? And, are you still eager to work part-time to earn some money? If yes, then transcription jobs are a good choice.
You may be retired or do not have any job and looking for ways to earn. Even then, transcription jobs can help you out.
Now, let us turn to beginners looking for transcription jobs. In this post, we will discuss the following points:
- What are the online transcription jobs?
- What are the requirements for these jobs?
- Which tools are helpful for transcription?
- What are the benefits of online transcription jobs for beginners?
- What are the disadvantages of these jobs?
- Which are the top 10 companies for online transcription jobs for beginners?
- Conclusion
Online Transcription Jobs for Beginners
Let us know about transcription jobs and their requirements first. Later, we will discuss the companies, which are in demand.
What are the online transcription jobs?
These jobs can be defined as tasks in which you convert an audio or video speech to text. The audio file may contain voices from one person or many.
In addition, the audio file may be a recording of a speech from a leader or an interview talk. It may have the recording of a business meeting.
Mostly, these jobs require you to work online from the comfort of your home.
In general, three types of transcription jobs exist.
- General transcription
- Medical transcription
- Legal transcription
These terms do not need any explanation.
What are the requirements for online transcriptions jobs?
Before you apply for an online transcription job, there are certain requirements that you should meet. Here is the list:
- Strong knowledge of English grammar and spelling
- Typing speed of at least 60 WPM (words per minute). It may look high, but with practice, you can achieve this speed. In some cases, slower speed will also do.
- Excellent listening skills
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and email
- A desktop or laptop not older than three years
- High-speed internet connection
- Good quality microphone
- A quiet place where you can listen to the audio clearly.
More or less any person who spends some time on the web can meet the last five requirements easily. The first three requirements are important and you should prepare for them. It will ensure your success at these jobs.
Which tools are helpful for transcription?
Many tools are available in the market, which help professional transcribers in their tasks. Without these tools, online transcription jobs for beginners are not going to be easy. Hence, let us have a look at them.

- Express Scribe Transcription Software – An audio player that improves audio quality. In addition, it can play many types of audio files at selectable speeds. It is compatible with keyboard hotkeys and can work with a foot pedal.
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 13 – Paid software converts a speech into text. Even though the accuracy of this tool is high, it is not 100%. So, you will need to correct small errors.
- Grammarly – It is the most popular online English grammar tool in the world to detect mistakes. To add further, it has a free version with some limitations and a paid version with enhanced features.
What are the benefits of Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners?
These jobs certainly have many benefits for a freelancer. But, I am listing a few for your reference.
- You can work from the comfort of your home or anywhere you want.
- Moreover, you can work at your convenient time.
- Work as much as you want and control your earnings.
- You do not require any specialized knowledge for these jobs.
- These jobs are plenty in numbers. So, the probability of getting such jobs is high.
What are the disadvantages of these jobs?
You may think, are there any disadvantages of working on these online transcription jobs? The answer is – yes. It is true for every type of jobs and transcription is no exception. Now, I am listing a few negative points below:
- Lower payouts of $20 to $30 for an hour of audio transcription. You may note that one hour of audio transcription may take up to four hours. It depends upon the audio recording quality, number of speakers, topic of the talk, etc.
- You may become a workaholic in the chase of money.
- No employee benefits.
- You need to spend on the basic requirements (as mentioned above) to be able to work.
- There is no commitment of jobs from a site. No site can guarantee a specific amount of work daily. And, it may close your account any time without giving reasons.
- High work accuracy is to be maintained or your account gets closed.
Which are the top 10 companies for Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners?
If you search the web, you will see a number of websites offering transcription jobs. But, many of them are not legit. To help out the new transcribers I am listing top rated companies for the jobs:
Rev.com
It is a US-based firm that offers transcription, translation and captioning services to its clients. This firm started its business in 2010.

Rev.com accepts job applications from all parts of the world. But, it keeps a special focus on the quality of work. Hence, it asks the job applicants to go through a little difficult process of testing.
An English grammar test is quite easy, but the transcription test is tough. It involves an audio file that has many people’s voices and you need to identify them correctly.
Then, you will receive an email from Rev.com about the result. It is worth noting that only 10% of the people pass the screening test. But, you can start working on this site after clearing your tests.
This company offers a payment of $0.40 to $0.65 per audio minute, which is low. But, the site is legit and you can be sure to get the payment.
It is a good company for online transcription jobs for beginners and they can start with it.
If you are interested in working with this company, then here is the link to apply for the job.
Transcribeme.com
This firm started working in 2011. It is located in San Francisco, USA. The company provides transcription services in many languages. But, English is the focus.
The company is popular among the freelancers as it provides ample jobs to them. And, the firm offers jobs to candidates from all parts of the world. All types of job seekers, whether newcomers or veterans, can apply for the jobs.
Here, you can complete the jobs at your convenient time and place. Transcription files are of two to four minutes duration.
This company requires you to pass two tests before you are hired. Audio file for the transcription test can be tricky. So, you need to be careful and focused.
Then, the company pays $20 per audio hour to its transcribers. And, payment is made via PayPal every Friday. But, you should have at least $10 as your earning before the payment is made.
In all, this company is a good place to find online transcription jobs for beginners.
You may use this link to apply for the job.
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Scribie.com
Rajiv Poddar started this firm in 2008 as an audio/video transcription service company. The company’s office is located in San Francisco, USA.

This firm supports only English language and general transcription. Also, the transcription files are six minutes or less time.
Here, jobs are available for all regions where PayPal is supported. It is also a good website to find online transcription jobs for beginners.
You need to apply as a freelancer to get the job and wait for your turn to take the test. After passing it, you can start working.
And, you can work on this site even if your typing speed is slow. Moreover, you are allowed to use auto transcription tool.
Payment rates are on the lower side – $5 to $25 per audio hour. But, when you improve and become a self-reviewer, you will start getting twice for the same file.
Find the link here to apply for the job.
Quicktate.com
Lee Dorfman started this firm in 2007. The company has its office in San Francisco, USA. This firm deals in the transcription of legal files, voicemail messages, and medical files. It also transcribes memos, conference calls, recordings of phone calls and other audio files.
The company does not mention the countries’ names it supports. So, freelancers from any part of the world can apply for jobs. It supports English, Spanish and French languages. Therefore, it becomes a right place to search for online transcription jobs for beginners.
If you are interested, you need to fill the online form along with three professional references. These references cannot be your relatives.
Later, you will need to take a typing test and a transcription test. After you clear both the tests, the company will perform screening of your background and will charge you $20.
And, the company undertakes this activity to ensure you are honest with no criminal record.
As far as payment is concerned, the company pays a ½ cent per word. It pays via PayPal every Monday.
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Appen.com
This company started in 1997. It has offices in the US, Australia, China, the UK, and the Philippines. Apart from other functions, Appen provides work-from-home jobs to people around the world.
Appen provides jobs to the beginners also. If you are interested you can visit the site and apply for the job you want. You also need to upload your resume. Thereafter, you need to wait for an email from the company.
If your resume is impressive, you are likely to receive an email which will ask you to undertake one or two online tests at a given link in a given period of time. You will know the result of the tests immediately.
Most of the people who clear the tests are invited to join the project. Then, they will be required to work for one or two hours a day.
I have worked for this company on different projects. The payout is around $3 per hour for the Asians. Moreover, payment is made on the 14th of every month via Payoneer.
This company was ranked number one for remote jobs last year. Thus, it is probably the best place to search for the online transcription jobs for beginners.
Dailytranscription.com
This business started in 2003. It has an office in Los Angeles, USA. This firm deals in transcription as well as translation services.
The company offers jobs to a novice as well as a veteran. Here, typing speed of 50 wpm will do. But, jobs are available only for the US and Canada people. And, only the English language is supported.
If you want to be a transcriber, you will need to fill online job application form. Thereafter, instructions will guide you to the Skill Assessment Test and later actual transcription test.
Hence, do not miss the opportunity to search and apply for the online transcription jobs for beginners.
Here, pay rates are better than many of the other companies. This company pays $0.75 – $0.85 per audio minute. It pays weekly through check.
Be ready for a pleasant surprise – some of the freelancers are making $250 to $950 per week.
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Ubiqus.com
This company was founded in 1991. Its headquarter is situated in Paris, France. Other offices exist in the USA, Spain, the UK, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Belgium, and Germany.

Ubiqus provides the general transcription. It also supports legal and medical transcription. Also, these services are available in more than 130 languages.
The firm offers online transcription jobs for beginners and veterans. Not only that, jobs are available irrespective of your country, religion, sex or community.
You can apply for a job by filling the online application form. The company will screen your resume and background before going ahead to ask you to take a transcription test.
How much this company pays to freelance transcribers is not clear. But, as per some estimates, it gives a ½ cent per word. The company makes payment once in two weeks.
Tigerfish.com
This company started in 1989. It has its office in San Francisco, USA. And, it provides a transcription of client meetings, brainstorming sessions, and audio recordings.
The firm offers online transcription jobs for the novice. Also, it gives job opportunities to the experienced transcribers. But, there is a condition – you have to be a US citizen. The company supports only the English language.
If interested you should click this link to reach the job application page. You will need to study the style guide first and follow the instructions carefully. Later, you will need to transcribe three audio files to prove your transcription skills.
Tigerfish does not list the pay rate on its site. But, through a forum, I came to know that it gives a ½ cent per word to the beginners. After gaining experience and speed you can earn more.
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Verbalink.com
This company is a division of Ubiqus and it was founded in 2003. It has its office in Los Angeles, USA. The firm gives service in the areas of transcription, translation, and subtitling.
The company offers online transcription jobs for beginners as well as experienced transcribers. But, it hires candidates from the USA only.
If you want to apply for the job, then send an email to jobs@verbalink.com with resume and a cover letter in PDF format. They may reply to your email.
In case, the company contacts you, it will ask you to take a transcription skill test. You need to pass the test to get the job.
This firm also wants to know how many hours of work you need every week. It will try to fetch you the required amount of work if possible.
The company has not disclosed its pay rates to the freelancers. As per Glassdoor, this firm pays better than many other companies do. Moreover, its staff is very helpful as per forum reviews.
Accutranglobal.com
It is a Canadian company started in 2002. The firm gives transcription services to the international clients.
Here, newcomers can also apply for the jobs. Note, this firm is offering jobs strictly for the North Americans.
This company feels that transcription job is time-sensitive. Hence, applicants must have a typing speed of at least 70 words per minute.
If you want to work for this company, you will need to download an MS Word file and then follow the instructions mentioned there. You will have to pass an English grammar test and audio transcription test before the company hires you.
Here, the pay rates are low for entry-level transcription. They are in the range of $0.004 per word to $0.0055 per word. In addition, the company pays directly to the bank accounts of the candidates before the 15th day of every month.
Conclusion on Transcription Jobs for Beginners
Finding an online work from home is not easy. But, online transcription jobs are not difficult to find. Although the screening tests are a bit difficult, you can still succeed with some preparation.
The beginners should join the free online course here.
It is true you will not earn good money at the start. But, with some experience and improvement of your skills, you will start earning reasonable money.
Hence, you can consider transcription jobs for online money. These companies are good for online transcription jobs for beginners.