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Check out a sample of the 239 Transcriptionist jobs posted on Upwork
Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed
Less than 1 month
Duration
Expert
Experience level
Songsterr is a collection of guitar tabs with online Tab Editor. Your job is to record a screencast of transcribing a guitar tab using…
US$333
Fixed-price
Intermediate
Experience level
Hi, we are Weavlog, a localization service provider based out of Japan. We get regular audios/videos in Thai for which we need subtitl…
US$333
Fixed-price
Intermediate
Experience level
Hi, we are Weavlog, a localization service provider based out of Japan. We get regular audios/videos in Thai for which we need subtitl…
Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed
Less than 1 month
Duration
Expert
Experience level
We are seeking an experienced radiologist from a prestigious institution (e.g., Mayo Clinic, Stanford, Oxford etc) to analyze and compa…
US$10
Fixed-price
Entry
Experience level
Recruiting native speakers for recording project 1: Very simple recording project No skills required As long as your native language is…
Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed
Less than 1 month
Duration
Expert
Experience level
Job Title: Note Taker (Verbatim Note-Taking Specialist) for 05/02/2025 Location: Remote Job Type: Freelance / Part-time / Temporary Jo…
Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed
Less than 1 month
Duration
Entry
Experience level
We have to transcribe some scanned German and English school reports into English. Some school reports are hand written in cursive (in…
30+ hrs/week
Hours needed
Less than 1 month
Duration
Entry
Experience level
I am seeking assistance to open and verify a new account. The ideal candidate will provide guidance on the necessary steps and may also…
30+ hrs/week
Hours needed
More than 6 months
Duration
Intermediate
Experience level
Medical Transcriptionist needed for a remote position with flexible scheduling. Provide transcription services to clients across multip…
Less than 30 hrs/week
Hours needed
Less than 1 month
Duration
Intermediate
Experience level
We're looking for publication ready transcripts of 2 x 1.5 hour focus groups run with professional participants in the UK . We would an…
can earn US$17–US$22/hr.
US$17 US$22
Median hourly rates (USD)
How to Become a Freelance Transcriptionist
Whether you’re a former employee of a transcription company looking for a remote full-time job or you’re looking to learn the skills to become a freelance transcriptionist, we’ll help guide you through the necessary steps to start your career. If you can type what you hear quickly and accurately, you might have what it takes to become a freelance transcriptionist.
What does a freelance transcriptionist do?
A general transcriptionist is responsible for the documentation and conversion of voice recordings. The job involves listening to audio, such as interviews, notes, and messages, and converting them into written documents. Transcriptionists are typically skilled in grammar, spelling, and punctuation with a proficient word-per-minute typing speed.
There are several types of transcription services, and as a freelance transcriptionist, you should be aware of them. The job might involve working with recordings in the legal or medical field, as well as in other areas that are highly confidential. Jobs for transcriptionists in these specialized industries typically require some form of certification and extensive experience.
What skills do I need to become a freelance transcriptionist?
When searching for transcription jobs and pitching to clients, you need to effectively communicate your skills to help you stand out from other transcriptionists competing for the same projects.
Common skills a freelance transcriptionist should possess include:
- Patience. When working with low-quality audio, it's important that transcriptionists take the time to patiently work through a recording and, if necessary and possible, ask questions regarding the recording to ensure accuracy.
- Excellent typing. Freelance transcriptionists need to be excellent typists, providing both speed and accuracy.
- Computer skills. Whether using common word processing software or specialized transcription software, transcriptionists must have a high comfort level navigating computer and software environments.
- Fluency in the language being typed. Transcriptionists face a number of challenges during the course of their day. Not being fluent in the language they are typing in should not be one of them. Fluency helps transcriptionists use contextual and grammatical clues to make better choices of words or phrases that may be unclear in the audio files.
- Excellent grammar and spelling. A core skill of all transcriptionists is the ability to spell and write properly. Transcriptionists often have to correct grammatically incorrect language when transcribing. In addition, each word must be spelled properly, and correct punctuation must be used.
- Exceptional editing. It’s important that freelance transcriptionists can edit during the online transcription process. Not every conversation, interview, or dictation will be recorded using proper grammar. The transcriptionist must be capable of editing audio so that it becomes readable when transformed into a written document.
What are the core freelance transcriptionist job responsibilities?
Freelance transcriptionists will find a variety of jobs that require slightly different requirements. However, there are core responsibilities they can be expected to fulfill, including the following:
- Provide accurate transcriptions of interview recordings, meetings, and notes
- Proofread all transcribed documents prior to submission for approval
- Collaborate with other team members to ensure proper assignments and objectives
- Provide weekly report highlighting pending work, projects in progress, and completed projects
- Clean up any grammatical errors encountered from audio recordings
- Use Microsoft Word or transcription software such as oTranscribe or Express Scribe when transcribing audio
Should I get a degree or certification as a freelance transcriber?
In addition to developing your skills, obtaining a degree and/or professional certification can help set your Upwork profile apart. Getting a degree or certification is not a requirement for all transcription jobs. In some cases, only a high school diploma is required, especially if you already have extensive transcription experience.
If you choose to pursue higher education to become a transcriptionist, popular degrees or certifications include:
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, or business administration
- General Transcription Certification—offered by the Transcription Certification Institute
- Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT)—offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI)
- Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT)—offered by the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI)
Jump-start your freelance transcription career on Upwork and start looking for your first job. Eager to learn more about freelance transcriptionist jobs on Upwork? Check out these additional resources:
Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this section. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyse and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.
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