Today, many more people prefer to work remotely than in the past, and some are earning $60,000 or more by providing transcription services and working as transcribers. Several job titles use the word “transcriber” when describing job skills. This article will explore the role of individuals with superior typing and listening skills who transcribe audio into a written format.
Over the past few decades, transcribers have converted spoken words and gestures into written text through various means. The first transcribers, thousands of years ago, transcribed using their manual handwriting skills. It then evolved into shorthand stenography, followed by stenograph machines, and ultimately to computers. Today, transcription services are crucial in different fields, including the legal profession, where legal professionals are overwhelmed by paperwork.
The transcriber’s role, and all the job entails, is probably a lot more than you realize.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- The role of a professional transcriber, the skills required, and the career potential of earning $60K or more
- How to explore the different types of transcription, from legal and medical to academic and general freelance work
- How Ditto Transcripts supports experienced U.S.-based transcriptionists with competitive opportunities and industry-leading standards
What Is a Transcriber?
Today’s transcribers convert an audio file or video content into written formats. Transcribers, also known as transcriptionists, require superior listening and typing skills, which are developed through time and practice.
Transcriptionists come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are former court reporters, while many have college degrees or completed online transcription courses; others are self-taught. An eye for detail, a desire to learn, and practice are the essential ingredients for any successful transcriptionist.
There are even new books from Google that teach transcriber basics. Most transcribers work from the comfort of their homes on their own schedule. In contrast, some may work in professional environments, such as healthcare facilities or legal offices. Trained musicians can often make effective transcriptionists, especially if they have a keen ear for sound. When properly trained, a court transcription service can be specialized by a transcriptionist, who transcribes events that occurred in a courtroom, including the jargon used in the legal profession.
Professional Transcribers Can Earn >$60k
Well-trained and experienced transcriptionists can earn $60,000 or more annually. The amount of money earned as a transcription scribe also varies depending on the project and availability.
The majority of freelance transcription jobs are based on a per-project or per-hour basis. Transcription companies usually charge their clients and compensate transcribers by the audio minute.
However, transcribing one minute of an audio recording usually takes several minutes. Factors such as the complexity of speech sounds, listening to specific voices, and transcribing multiple speech sounds all impact transcription time.
A new or beginning transcriber typically earns between $0.30 and $1.10 per minute of audio.
Remember, an inexperienced transcriptionist may take an hour or longer to transcribe 15 minutes of a simple audio file and around four hours to transcribe 60 minutes of audio with multiple people speaking or files that are difficult to understand.
The best way to become an experienced transcriber and earn more money is to develop your transcription skills with practice and time. The more you transcribe, the better you’ll become and the more money you’ll earn.
Most transcriptionists are compensated on a weekly basis via direct deposit or through payment services such as PayPal or Venmo.
Types of Transcription
There are several types of transcription, such as general, business, medical, legal, law enforcement, and academic.
As the name implies, general transcribers work on a variety of projects. One day, they might transcribe a corporate sales meeting, and the next day work on a college lecture or a series of vlogs and podcasts.
Transcriptionists specializing in business transcription work on projects such as corporate investor calls, sales meetings, board of directors meetings, focus group research projects, among others.
Legal transcribers are assigned depositions, courtroom jury trials, custody and sentencing hearings, or appeals court hearings.
Law enforcement transcribers typically work on audio files from interrogations and interviews, which are crucial to police departments and law enforcement agencies investigating criminal activity. These are the ones that commonly perform government transcription services.
Medical transcriptionists transcribe physician notes created by doctors and other healthcare providers who treat patients in practically every medical specialty.
Regardless of any specialties, transcribers have a big responsibility. They cannot afford to make mistakes, especially when business or life is on the line. When their output is inaccurate, it can result in dire consequences.
Take the case of the $140 Million Verdict Against Thomas Hospital. The hospital sought the services of a non-credible, foreign transcription company. The foreign transcriber made a critical error, transcribing 80 units of insulin instead of 8 units, ultimately leading to the patient’s death.
Thomas Hospital was held accountable, leading to a $140 million verdict in favor of the patient’s family. This situation highlights the importance of choosing the right medico-legal transcription services.
Transcribers specializing in academic work transcribe lecture audio and video files, research projects, or focus groups for graduate-level dissertation and thesis work.
Transcriber Equipment
Transcriptionists need access to a high-speed, reliable internet connection. A laptop or desktop computer with sufficient RAM and a few specialized tools makes transcribing audio files easier. Below are several other recommendations to gain peak performance.
Access to a high-speed internet system is essential when downloading and uploading audio files. A minimum download speed of 10 Mbps is required, although 100 Mbps or more is recommended. Minimum upload speeds of 10mbps are also highly recommended.
Laptop or desktop computers with sufficient RAM and adequate storage will make transcribing large files more manageable. We recommend a minimum of 16 GB of RAM or higher for optimal performance. Transcriptionists can use either Apple or PC systems.
Transcribers also use several software programs, including Microsoft Word, which is available on a monthly or annual subscription plan. The use of text expander software will increase a transcriber’s speed. Using keyboard shortcuts can also equate to increased earnings. Express Scribe is another software program used by most transcriptionists. It is available for around $40, and both professional and free versions are available.
We recommend using Google Chrome as your browser, as it best accommodates standard transcription software programs. A text editor will help correct common mistakes.
There are also a few tools that make manual transcription more effortless and faster. One such tool is a foot pedal, which allows the transcriptionist to keep their hands on the keyboard when it’s necessary to listen to certain portions of the audio transcript multiple times.
Studies show that each time a transcriptionist takes their hand away from the keyboard, they lose seven characters every second. Since accuracy and speed are essential components for transcription, you’ll want to master these tools.
Obtaining a high-quality headset is also recommended. For example, suppose you’re transcribing focus groups with multiple people occasionally speaking over one another. In that case, a good headset allows you to hear every sound or word more accurately. Capturing every sound is vital in verbatim transcription.
Transcriber Jobs
There is a growing demand for transcribers. Seasoned transcriptionists who can type between 75 and 90 words per minute (wpm) with a 99 percent accuracy rate earn the most money.
Transcribing an audio file into a final transcript is a rewarding occupation in many ways. Not only do transcribers earn good money, but they also work from the convenience of their work and set their own schedule.
The best way to obtain the necessary skills of a successful transcriber is to start today. Whether you enroll in an online transcription course or teach yourself, the transcription industry remains a viable and attractive freelance occupation.
If you possess the ability to focus for long periods of time, have excellent listening skills, and can master typing skills, you will increase your opportunity for success as a transcriber.
Ditto Transcripts Wants Experienced Transcribers
If you’re an experienced, U.S.-based transcriber, then we encourage you to complete our online form.
We employ only the best transcriptionists. Each person must pass a comprehensive criminal background check, which demonstrates our professionalism and commitment to the transcription industry.
Why work at Ditto? We uphold the highest standards in transcription, known for guaranteed 99% accuracy, security compliance, and legal admissibility of our transcripts.
And our clients love our services. We are committed to being the last transcription company our clients need, all while offering competitive transcription pricing.
What are you waiting for? Begin a productive and successful career as a transcriber today!
Ditto Transcripts is a Denver, Colorado-based transcription company that provides fast, accurate, and affordable transcription services for individuals and companies of all sizes. Call (720) 287-3710 today for a free quote.