24+ Entry-Level Transcription Jobs for Beginners with No Experience

If you’re searching for transcription jobs for beginners and you don’t have any experience at all, it can seem difficult to get your foot in the door – especially when so many companies are looking for transcriptionists with years of experience.

Here, I’ve sourced a list of entry-level companies that hire, or may be open to hiring, beginners who have no experience with transcription. However, for most of these companies, you’ll still need to prove your transcription skills by successfully passing an English proficiency test or transcribing a test audio file. If you find you’re not cut out for transcription, make sure to check out my list of other legitimate part-time online jobs.

Many of the companies listed below hire worldwide, and some of them pay weekly or even daily with PayPal. Several of these companies also offer freelance jobs in captioning, subtitling, and translation (particularly Spanish).

To qualify for higher-paying transcription jobs that pay $1 per audio minute and up, you’ll usually need experience and/or training. If you’re interested in studying transcription online at your own pace, I recommend Transcribe Anywhere’s courses in general and legal transcription. For more information about pursuing a career in transcription, including tips for finding work, see my guide on how to become a transcriptionist here.

Work-from-home transcriptionists are most often hired as independent contractors, not employees. This means you’re actually a small business owner or freelancer: You’re responsible for your own taxes and – usually – your own equipment. It also means you have a lot of freedom around when and how much you work!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info.

What you’ll need as a beginner transcriptionist

Most transcription jobs pay per audio minute, so the faster you work, the more you can earn per hour. (See my post on transcription pay to learn strategies I’ve used to almost double my transcription speed.)

To help you transcribe interviews and other audio files more efficiently, the following equipment is recommended and in some cases required by transcription companies:

• Transcription software. This lets you control audio playback using keys on your computer keyboard or a foot pedal so you don’t have to start and stop audio using your mouse and a standard player like Windows Media Player. You can get professional transcription software for free here, or else read my post comparing the features of different pro audio and video transcription software programs.
• Transcription foot pedal. By connecting a foot pedal to your transcription software, you can control audio playback using your toes instead of your fingers, making transcription faster and easier. The Infinity USB pedal is compatible with most software that transcription companies use.
• Headphones. Some transcription headsets, such as the Spectra and the WordMaster, are designed to enhance vocal frequencies or to improve the sound of distorted audio with low volume.
• Microsoft Word. I recommend subscribing to Office 360 so you’ll always have the latest version of Microsoft Word. Also, you can save your documents online so you never lose them.

If you don’t have any transcription equipment yet, you can save a lot of money by purchasing a transcription bundle like this one, which includes all the gear you need at a steep discount. You get the upgraded version of Express Scribe software with the bundle.

Once you’re ready, you can start applying to these 24 companies that offer transcription jobs for beginners – no experience required!

3PlayMedia

URL: https://www.3playmedia.com/company/jobs/contract-work/

Location hiring: U.S.

As an independent contractor for 3PlayMedia, you’ll transcribe audio and edit imperfect transcription in the company’s web-based software. Work is flexible: You can choose how much and when you want to work and choose which assignments you want to work on. The company states their transcriptionists earn approximately $10-30 an hour depending on their speed. Check the above URL for current openings. To apply, you’ll be required to take some proficiency tests.

Appen

URL: https://appen.com/careers/

Location hiring: Worldwide

Appen’s website states: “We are a global leader in the development of high-quality, human annotated datasets for machine learning and artificial intelligence. We partner with the world’s leading technology companies to improve their machine learning based products.” The company is known to hire for a variety of flexible remote positions, including search and social media content evaluators, survey takers, and transcriptionists. Visit the URL above to apply for any of these positions.

Babbletype

URL: http://babbletype.com/apply-for-work

Location hiring: Unknown, but probably worldwide

This market research transcription company hires transcriptionists with no experience to work from home. They also hire transcript editors/proofreaders and translators. Visit the above URL to apply and take their test.

CastingWords

URL: https://workshop.castingwords.com/

Location hiring: Worldwide

If you want to start working from home today, you can do so with CastingWords. This entry-level transcription company offers transcription jobs for beginners and doesn’t require applicants to take a test or submit a resume – all you need to do is sign up at the above URL and start claiming jobs to work on. You can do jobs right within the CastingWords player, or else you can download the audio files to your computer and transcribe them using Express Scribe (free download). You can work as much or as little as you want, and the company pays weekly via PayPal. Pay is $0.17 per audio minute.

CrowdSurf

URL: https://crowdsurfwork.com/get-started-on-work-market/

Location hiring: Worldwide

As a transcriber for CrowdSurf, you can log in when you’re available and claim short audio files to work on. You’ll work within the company’s own editing platform. A Glassdoor review states the company pays a few cents more per audio minute than Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). To apply, you’ll need to take a short assessment. The application process takes just a few days.

Done It Now

URL: https://www.doneitnow.com/contact-us.html

Location hiring: International (see countries listed on the application form)

As a transcriptionist for this Australia-based service, you’ll log in when you’re available and claim work from the queue. The company website states, “We can give the most work to transcribers who can transcribe verbatim, focus groups, understand poor quality audio, handle foreign accents, and follow instructions for medical/legal/complex template work.” To work for them, you must be able to understand Australian colloquiums and place names. You’ll need to provide your own transcription software, which you can get for free here. To apply, visit the URL above and take the timed test.

GMR Transcription

URL: https://www.gmrtranscription.com/careers.aspx

Location hiring: U.S.

As a transcriptionist or translator for GMR, you’ll be able to work when you want and choose from a list of available files. The company claims their transcribers typically earn between $1,000 and $3,000 per month. To work for GMR, you’ll need Microsoft Office (you can subscribe to it here) and a foot pedal (I use the Infinity USB pedal because it’s compatible with most transcription software that companies use). To apply, visit the URL above – you’ll be required to successfully transcribe a test file. Note that GMR requires all typists to complete two hours of audio as a probationary period before receiving paid work.

GoTranscript

URL: https://gotranscript.com/transcription-jobs

Location hiring: Worldwide

This company hires transcriptionists and translators with no experience to work from home. According to the company website, they pay up to $0.60 per minute. As a transcriptionist for GoTranscript, you can work as much or as little as you want and payment is weekly by PayPal. To apply, visit the above URL – you’ll need to transcribe a test file.

OneSpace

URL: https://freelance.onespace.com/freelancers/

Location hiring: Worldwide

Originally called CrowdSource, OneSpace hires English and international language transcriptionists to transcribe short audio files. They also hire for a variety of other remote freelance work, including graphic design, writing and editing, data entry, and research. Work is flexible and the company pays daily via PayPal. From what I understand, the site is similar to Amazon Mechanical Turk in that it mainly offers microtasks. Visit the URL above to check open freelance positions. You may need to complete an online assessment.

Quicktate/iDictate

URL: https://typists.quicktate.com/transcribers/signup

Location hiring: Worldwide

As a transcriptionist for Quicktate, you’ll work on voicemail messages, memos, letters, legal files, medical files, recordings of phone calls, conference calls, and other audio files. You can choose your own hours and work as much or as little as you want. You’ll earn $0.0025 (one-quarter cent) per word for general transcription and $0.0050 (one-half cent) per word for medical transcription. The company pays weekly with PayPal. Visit the above URL to begin the online application process. You’ll need to provide three references and pass a typing test. Additionally, you’ll need Express Scribe Pro transcription software.

Rev

URL: https://www.rev.com/freelancers/transcription

Location hiring: Worldwide

Rev is one of the most well-known companies offering transcription jobs for beginners. They used to pay around $0.50 per audio minute, but they lowered their pay in November 2019 to $0.30 per audio minute for decent-quality files. According to the website, average earnings per month are $245 and the top monthly earning is $1,495. As a transcriber or captioner for Rev, you can work as much or as little as you want, and work is usually steady. You can also preview and choose the audio files you want to work on. You’ll transcribe within Rev’s web-based transcription editor, so you don’t need your own software. The company pays weekly via PayPal. To apply, visit the URL above – you’ll be required to submit a grammar test and transcribe a test audio file.

Scribie

URL: https://scribie.com/jobs

Location hiring: Worldwide (in countries that PayPal is supported)

Scribie is an entry-level transcription company that pays $5-$25 per audio hour, plus a monthly bonus of $5 for every three audio hours transcribed. You’ll transcribe (or edit) short files of 10 minutes or less. They don’t have a production quota, so you can work as much or as little as you want. You can preview and choose the audio files you want to work on. Scribie pays daily via PayPal. To apply, you’ll need to transcribe a test file.

Take Note Typing

URL: https://takenote.co/careers/

Location hiring: Worldwide

This UK-based company hires transcriptionists, audio proofreaders, and copy typers. You’ll work on audio such as focus groups for market research, interviews and conferences, etc. Their website states, “We also have medical, legal and media transcription work available for those who are experienced or wish to become trained in these areas.” Pay is 46 pence per audio minute. Transcribers book their own shifts and then are assigned files for those shifts. Visit the above URL to start the application process, which consists of a typing speed test, an English language test, and a transcription test. To work for this company, you’ll need Microsoft Office, which you can subscribe to on a monthly or annual basis.

Tigerfish

URL: https://tigerfish.com/transcription-jobs/

Location hiring: U.S.

Tigerfish provides transcription services in a range of industries, including video production, legal, healthcare, academic, and business. They used to pay a half cent per word according to an old thread from the WAHM forum, although I’m not sure if this is still accurate. To transcribe for Tigerfish, you’ll need a Windows-based computer. To test for the company, you’ll need Express Scribe, which you can download for free here. Visit the URL to download the company’s transcription test, which consists of three five-minute segments of audio.

Transcribe.com

URL: https://www.transcribe.com/transcription-jobs-online/

Location hiring: U.S.

Transcribe.com hires transcriptionists and editors to work from home. There’s no monthly quota, so you can work whenever you want as long as you meet deadlines, and work is steady. Payment is daily via PayPal. To work for them, you’ll need your own transcription equipment – I recommend free Express Scribe software and the Infinity pedal. Visit the URL above to apply and take the online assessment.

TranscribeMe

URL: https://www.transcribeme.com/transcription-jobs

Location hiring: Worldwide

TranscribeMe is another well-known company offering entry-level transcription jobs for beginners. As a transcriptionist for TranscribeMe, you’ll transcribe short audio files of two to four minutes. You can work whenever you want, and work is steady. Pay is $15-$22 per audio hour. The website states their average monthly earnings are $250, with top monthly earnings of $2,200. Their medical and legal transcriptionists are paid a higher rate. The company pays with PayPal, and you can request your money anytime. To begin the application process, visit the URL above. A foot pedal is recommended.

TranscriptionWing

URL: https://info.transcriptionwing.com/transcription-jobs

Location hiring: Worldwide

TranscriptionWing provides general, medical, and legal transcription services. Their website says they pay transcribers up to $0.60 per audio minute. I haven’t been able to find any online reviews about this company from remote staff. Visit the above URL to apply.

Way With Words

URL: https://waywithwordsjobs.com/

Location hiring: Worldwide

According to their jobs website, Way With Words pays between $0.45 and $1.73 per audio minute. You can work as much or as little as you want, and work is steady. Pay is monthly via PayPal. To work with the company, you’ll need to pass a series of aptitude tests. Visit the URL above to begin the application process.

A few more transcription companies that may hire beginners

The following transcription companies *may* also be open to hiring beginners with no experience. You’ll need to pass an English language and/or transcription aptitude test to work for them.

• Averbach Transcription
• Dictate Express
• MagiScript
• National Capitol Contracting
• Terescription
• Transcription Express, Inc. (TEI)

Your turn

The above companies are a good place to start if you want to gain some initial experience. If you really want to make a sustainable career out of transcription, you’ll need to continue to upgrade your skills and qualify for higher-paying opportunities. You can learn more about how to become a transcriptionist in my step-by-step guide.

If you liked this post, you might also like the following resources:

• 75+ freelance transcription jobs
• The best transcription jobs in eight different categories
• 31+ work-at-home transcription jobs for Canadians
• 18+ of the best-paying transcription jobs

Do you know of any entry-level transcription jobs for beginners with no experience? Share your tips below!