Updated October 15, 2024.
If you have at least one year of past transcription or word processing experience (in the last five years) you may be able to get a remote job at SpeakWrite.
This is a reputable company that is almost always hiring for legal, general, and Spanish language transcription.
SpeakWrite hires transcribers in the US and Canada (with the exception of California).
New to transcription? Then this job probably isn't for you, but there are other companies that would give you a chance.
I have a full list of transcription companies for beginners if you'd like to check that out.
How much is the pay at SpeakWrite?
SpeakWrite pays a half cent a word transcribed. Some jobs offer a ten percent bonus on top of this amount.
You will receive your earnings via direct deposit or mailed check. They don't use Paypal to deliver payments.
Payments are made twice monthly for your completed work.
The website states that the average earnings for most of their transcribers is about $450 a month, so it seems many of their workers either do this part-time, or combine it with other work from different transcription companies to make ends meet.
However, some of their transcribers are earning $3K monthly or more.
Are you qualified?
You must have at least one year of past transcription and/or word processing experience in the last five years, done in an office environment.
Additionally, you must be able to type at least 60 wpm with 90% or better accuracy.
Fluency in English with strong knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation is also required.
How is the schedule?
SpeakWrite operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You choose your own shifts, but you can't work more than 12 hours in a day and they ask that you work at least 15 hours a month at the minimum.
Training & Applying
To get in, you have to take a typing test first so they can be sure you type fast enough.
After they accept these things, they let you start training which from what I understand is not super easy to get through. The entire process will probably take at least a few days to finish.
You also have to complete some training transcription jobs as the last part of the application process. These will be evaluated and then a final decision will be made as to whether you can work for the company as a transcriber.
What equipment do you need?
You need a PC (no Macs) as well as high speed internet. If you don't already have one, you'll also need a foot pedal. Their website states it's not needed for the training jobs so there will be no need to purchase one unless they officially hire you.
Will SpeakWrite have enough work to keep you busy?
As is the case with most independent contractor positions, there is no way to know for sure. They don't guarantee you will always have work.
Still, I always say no matter what you're doing from home to have a “backup job” just in case the well runs dry where you're currently working.
What do other workers say about SpeakWrite?
I checked Glassdoor for reviews on this company, and the feedback overall is pretty good from the people who have or currently are working there. They have a solid 3.6 rating there.
There are some complaints about the proofreaders and how they are condescending and give inconsistent ratings.
Some people also complain that the pay rate is not enough considering how difficult much of the audio is to transcribe. The bonus amounts you receive are also on the low side, according to some workers (like four or five cents), and not enough incentive to do the extra work.
Still, the flexibility and the fact you get to work remotely is considered a plus across the board.
Getting Signed Up
You can go here to start your application. Good luck and as always, please share whatever experience you have with the company if you have it.
Want to Know More About Work at Home Transcription and How to Get Started?
If you don't know a lot about transcribing from home, I recommend Transcription Foundations – a free 7-lesson mini-course that teaches you all about general transcription, how much you can earn, where to find work, and more!
The course is entirely go at your own pace, and you'll receive details via your email!
You can go at your own pace with this and do the lessons as you have time, all at home from your computer.
Go here to learn more about what the free course offers.
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 13 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.
I agree. I have been transcribing for a doctor for over 10 years and have my own equipment, infinity foot pedal, stellar headphones, and use Dragon Naturally Speaking software to avoid hand cramping. When I called the support line during an application online for REV, I was told that my foot pedal would work with their editing program AFTER I passed the audio transcription test. When I inquired as to how to use my expensive Dragon software to get work completed faster for the company, the response was, “We don’t recommend translating software as it is cheating and may effect your “score”. WOW. obviously they have no clue about the modern advancements in transcription as the Dragon software still requires a dictation by (me). If it autotranscribed their audio files without a real person as the middle man, I would think they could save tons by eliminating a real person transcriptionist don’t ya think???