As you explore work-from-home jobs that don’t require a degree but offer work-life balance, remote transcription jobs deserve a look. Transcription jobs offer flexibility, the chance to work from home, and a doorway into various industries.
With speedy typing skills and attention to detail, you can follow several different career paths to match your interests. Let’s look at the transcription industry, the relevance of certification, and the earning potential you’ll have in transcription jobs from home.
Note:
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What Is Transcription?
Let’s start with the basics of a transcription definition. Transcription is the process of converting spoken words into text. Originating from audio or video files, you’ll be typing, word for word, what you hear. To excel in transcription, you’ll need excellent attention to detail, speedy typing skills, and a strong command of punctuation and grammar.
Transcriptionist jobs are found in many industries, so this role is a great entry point to explore a new career or find a role that aligns with your interests. Some industries, like medical, legal, and financial fields, require knowledge of specialized terminology, but focusing on a niche can help you command a higher salary as you build your expertise.
What Are Transcription Jobs? (Transcription Job Description)
Online transcriber jobs often have flexible schedules, allowing you to set your hours and choose your workload—as long as you meet employer-set deadlines and standards. You can find transcription work across a range of industries, and if you’re fluent in a second language, you can find a transcription job that capitalizes on your language skills.
As you read transcriber job descriptions, you’ll see that transcription companies generally provide a thorough list of requirements, such as:
- Background checks
- Equipment required
- Language fluency
- Minimum typing speed
- Number of anticipated hours
- Previous experience needs
- Required availability
- Residency requirements
- Technical minimums (like computer and internet speed)
How to Become a Transcriptionist
It’s a reasonably straightforward process to become a transcriptionist. Boost your typing speed, set yourself up with a few critical pieces of equipment, and you’ll be ready to start applying. Check the following list of transcriber skills to determine if you’re prepared to launch your job search.
— 5 Transcription Skills
Transcription requires a blend of technical and soft skills. Ensure you analyze both.
1. Listening Skills
You may have to transcribe low-quality recordings with background noise or audio featuring speakers with accents. As such, excellent listening skills are nonnegotiable, along with a quiet environment to work in.
2. Typing Skills
The minimum typing speed that transcription companies will accept is generally 45 words per minute (WPM), but most transcription companies prefer you to have an average of at least 60 to 80 WPM. Keep in mind that the target is the average after you edit to fix any errors. You can check your current typing speed with a free online test.
3. Command of Language
You’ll need to be fluent in the spoken language. That means understanding slang and cultural nuances to accurately convert audio files. If you’re working in a translation role, you’ll need fluency in both languages to create quality audio.
4. Time Management
Time management is one of the foundations of thriving in a remote work environment. That’s especially true if juggling multiple clients or working within tight deadlines. If you work as a freelance transcriptionist, you’ll be paid by the project or audio minute, so your time management skillswill directly affect your earning potential.
5. Tech Savvy
While you don’t need to be a computer wiz, you need to be comfortable with transcription software, navigating the internet, and sharing files via various file formats. Plus, in remote roles, you may be asked to participate in virtual meetings and use online communication channels, such as Slack, cloud storage, and email messaging.
— Transcription Equipment Needed
You don’t need a high-tech home office for transcription jobs, but you need some essential equipment to get started.
1. Computer/Laptop
A reliable computer or laptop that can run transcription software is a must-have. If your computer is older, the processor will slow down, which could impact your earning ability.
2. Internet
A stable internet connection is essential for downloading audio files, communicating with clients, and conducting research, such as clarifying any unclear terms.
3. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Along with helping you catch every word and expression, noise-canceling headphones can help you tune out the world around you so you can focus on the audio files you’re transcribing.
4. Foot Pedal
Some companies require you to use a foot pedal, but even if they don’t, you might prefer to work with one. A foot pedal allows you to play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward without taking your hands off the keyboard.
5. Dual Monitors
Regardless of your remote role, dual monitors can significantly boost your productivity. In a transcription role, dual monitors enable you to look at your text document and software simultaneously, increasing your efficiency.
Transcription Certification
There isn’t a specific transcription degree, and a transcription certification is optional to start online transcription jobs. However, becoming a certified transcriptionist can open doors to more lucrative opportunities in specialized fields. For example, you might pursue a role as a Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialist in the medical field.
Legal transcription is another field where certification might be essential, depending on your specific career path. Consider the transcription qualifications you’ll gain if you earn a certification offered by the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) to find the one that aligns with your target role.
Again, you’re not required to hold certification for general transcription roles. However, it is helpful to complete a class that gives you an overview and familiarizes you with the technical aspects of the role. Explore courses from the Transcription Certification Institute (TCI) or on-demand classes from Udemy and Skillshare.
Finding Remote, Work-From-Home Transcription Jobs
The remote job search adds a layer of complexity, as you aren’t walking into a brick-and-mortar building. Without that physical verification, you must navigate job scams and identity thieves. Limit your transcriptionist job search to legitimate job boards, like the one here at FlexJobs. With a team of researchers hand-vetting each job, you can feel confident that you’re only applying to safe job listings.
Create a list of target companies that hire for online transcription jobs to watch for openings as you build your job search strategy. Compare aspects of each job, like minimum hours worked, pay rate, and work-life balance potential. Start your research with these remote-friendly companies that post remote transcription jobs.
- Allegis Transcription
- ANP Transcriptions
- e-Transcription Solutions
- eScribers, LLC
- GMR Transcription
- LHH – Lee Hecht Harrison
- ProScribe
- Rev.com
- Scribekick
- U.S. Legal Support
Transcription Salary: How Much Do Transcribers Make?
The average transcriber salary for transcribing jobs from home can vary depending on the industry. We’ve gathered a few of the projected median salaries that the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports to give you a general idea of potential salary ranges.
Keep in mind the added transcription qualifications you’ll need to land higher-paying transcriber salaries in niche fields.
Types of Transcription Jobs
As you can see, transcription is a blanket term covering several niches. You’ll see all of the following job titles while you’re looking for the best transcription jobs.
1. General Transcription Jobs
As a general transcriptionist, you’ll find remote transcription jobs in almost any industry. Your transcription might be utilized for interviews, podcasts, or business meetings.
2. Audio Transcription Jobs
Audio transcription jobs from home involve transforming spoken words into written content when you transcribe notes for business meetings, press briefings, or personal notes. There’s opportunity to use both transcription and translation skills to bring audio to a diverse audience.
3. Freelance Transcription Jobs
Freelance transcriptionists choose their projects and typically manage their schedule and clients. You can specialize in one industry or offer a more general transcription service regardless of the field.
4. Legal Transcription Jobs
Courts, law firms, and other legal professionals hire transcriptionists for in-person transcription and remote transcribing of court testimony, pre-court depositions, and other legal interactions. You might also transcribe emergency or 911 calls and interrogations. While accuracy is always essential, in a legal transcription job, you’ll be recording all sounds, like stutters, crying, false starts, and environmental noises.
5. Medical Transcription Jobs
As a medical transcriptionist, your duties may include recording medical diagnoses and patient treatment details or transcribing physician notes. Medical transcription jobs are a great entry point for a career as a medical coder or medical biller. As you’re searching for open jobs, you might find some listed under medical scribe jobs as well.
6. Video Transcription Jobs
Create subtitles or captions when you convert the spoken words on a video to written words supporting the visual content. This service is vital to help those with hearing impairment or learning challenges.
Explore Open Transcription Jobs
Transcription jobs provide a flexible and rewarding career if you’re detail-oriented and possess strong language skills. With the right equipment and dedication to improving your skills, the ideal remote job is waiting for you.
