Learning how to become a transcriptionist is easy. You don’t need fancy degrees or training; only good typing, time-management, and listening skills.
Are you thinking about starting an online job where you can enjoy a steady income with flexible hours?
Then, why not consider working as a transcriptionist?
This is one of those jobs that doesn’t need specific qualifications or high-level diplomas.
As long as you have exceptional typing skills, an understanding of spelling and punctuation, as well as a good ear, then you’re all set.
In this article, we explain the basics of how to become a transcriptionist. We also share average salaries and a couple of similar job posts that could interest you.
A transcriptionist is someone who listens to a video recording or audio and types everything being said, right down to every ‘um’ and ‘uh’. Then, they present it in a document free of grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
Some audio/video files you can be asked to transcribe include podcasts, business meetings, classroom lectures, and more.
You’re probably wondering how transcriptionists are still in demand with all the progress AI has been making.
Yet, artificial intelligence still lags when it comes to accurately transcribing spoken words.
Even with its advanced technology, it still can’t replicate the complexities of human speech.
It also can't identify multiple speakers at once, recognize dialects or accents, or understand non-verbal cues.
As such, a human transcriptionist can provide accuracy when writing what’s being said.
Yet, they also take it a step further and add a higher level of reliability and precision when it comes to interpreting the context and meaning behind those words.
Then, there are value-added services that human transcriptionists can provide.
A few examples include formatting the document and checking it for spelling and grammatical errors.
Here are a few of the skills a general online transcriptionist should have:
Unlike most jobs, transcriptionists get paid by an audio minute, which is usually rounded up by the audio hour.
You might be surprised to know that it can take you several minutes to transcribe one audio minute.
Let’s say you transcribe an audio file that’s 30 minutes long. If your employer is paying $0.40 an audio minute, this means you’ll make $12.
Yet, you have to keep in mind that even the most experienced transcriptionist can’t transcribe 30 minutes in exactly 30 minutes.
It’ll take you closer to an hour, which means your working rate is approximately $12 per audio hour, not per working hour.
A beginner transcriptionist can start with an hourly wage of about $5–$7 per audio hour. In contrast, someone with more experience can make as much as $20, making the national average $16.
This suggests that there are plenty of opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on various factors, including skill level, years of experience, and location.
Here’s a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay to become a transcriptionist:
Becoming a transcriptionist is relatively low-cost. All you need is a high school diploma or its equivalent. You’ll also need a handful of useful tools and skills.
Your only real investment would be a pair of good headphones, which can set you back a couple of hundred dollars.
Yet, if you’re thinking about working in a specialized high-paying field, such as medical or legal, you’ll need additional courses, which will cost you.
So, on average, pursuing a transcriptionist career will cost a minimum of $7,000 and a maximum of $14,000.
Transcribing is basically a straightforward job.
Yet, if you ask any transcriptionist, they'll probably tell you that the most challenging part about working as a transcriptionist is that it requires patience.
It also requires a commitment to produce a high-quality written document, as well as keen hearing and strong grammar skills.
In addition, transcriptionists need to be able to type quickly and with as few mistakes as possible. On average, competent transcriptionists type about 40–60 words per minute, while those with more experience can type over 80 words per minute.
If you have the skills mentioned above, you can become a general transcriptionist right away.
Otherwise, if you’re considering becoming a medical or legal transcriptionist, then you’ll need to complete college certificate programs.
In this case, it can take a minimum of two years to become fully certified. Online programs, however, can take as little as only 4 to 6 months.
Now that you have a better idea of what it takes to become a transcriptionist, here’s a step-by-step process of how to become one.
If you’re starting, general transcription can be a great launching point. You get to work on different topics without having to focus on only one subject matter.
Then, as you gain more training and work experience, you can branch out and choose something that pays more like medical and legal.
Yet, in this case, you’ll need to advance your career through specialized certification programs and degrees.
You also need to decide whether you want to do this full-time or part-time as a side hustle.
You can also experiment with different forms of transcription, such as:
One of the vital skills you need to do this job is typing. Not only does it save time fixing typos, but the faster you type, the more money you’ll make.
You can find several free online tools, such as the Free Typing Test to help you practice your typing.
There are also transcription platforms filled with resources, such as GoTranscript and Transcribe Anywhere, where you can improve your transcription speed and accuracy.
Once you feel confident enough in your typing, it’s time to create a stellar resume.
Make sure you highlight your typing speed and accuracy as well as your grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills.
You also need to prioritize many of your soft skills. These can include attention to detail, time management, and organization.
The internet is full of transcription companies and platforms. It’s up to you to pick the one that best fits your schedule and expectations.
Take the time to research various companies to understand their style and guidelines.
Some of the most widely known companies that offer jobs for both beginners and experienced transcriptionists include TranscribeMe, CrowdSurf, Speechpad, and Quicktate.
As you gain more experience in the field of transcribing, you can start applying for better-paying jobs.
For example, you can upload your resume to online platforms as Upwork and LinkedIn. After you set your own rates, you can then browse through their job database.
Another option is to reach out to in-person clients including podcast studios, businesses, and law offices.
If they don’t already have an in-house transcriptionist, you can pitch your job and get work from them directly.
A career in transcription can be enjoyable if you’re a fast typist and have a good ear for audio. In addition, transcribing has several other benefits that can interest you:
Start by choosing a specialist field or you can choose to work in general transcription. Either way, you need to hone your typing skills and brush up on your writing and grammar.
Yet, if you opt for the former, you’ll need to attend training courses as well as specialized training. The next step is to gain experience, build an online network, and find jobs online.
Yes! Most businesses and organizations rely on transcriptionists for a variety of purposes including academic research, medical, and legal.
At the same time, people seek out transcription work because it offers more flexibility, better pay, and a chance to work on different projects.
It can also be quite rewarding financially, making it an incredibly flexible second job.
Do you like the idea of working with words, but aren’t sure if transcription is right for you?
In that case, we rounded up three similar job opportunities you should consider. Take a look.
Working as a virtual assistant offers more independence and flexibility compared to a traditional assistant job.
It’s also a great opportunity to refine your skills and focus on your niche.
If you love books and have a good voice for narration, then being an audiobook narrator could be an ideal career choice.
You don’t need any specific degrees, but you do need to have proper articulation, clear pronunciation, and a steady recital voice.
Translation services are always in demand because they bridge the gap between different cultures.
So, you can apply your skills to boost effective communication across businesses and communities.
Despite all the current high-tech advances, human transcriptionists remain in high demand. And it’s all thanks to their ability to create detailed, error-free, and contextualized documents.
We hope the insider tips on how to become a transcriptionist in this post have shed light on this profession.
Make sure you build up all the skills necessary for this type of job to boost your expertise. This way, you can land high-paying jobs while enjoying the freedom that transcribing can bring.
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