Rev is one of the largest transcription companies, and it hires freelancers as transcriptionists, captioners, subtitle translators and legal transcriptionists. You pick the files you want, work when you like and get paid per minute of audio or video, not per hour of your time. Payouts go out weekly through PayPal. You get in by passing a grammar quiz and a transcription test.
At a glance
| What it is | Transcription, captioning and subtitling marketplace |
| Roles | Transcriptionist, captioner, subtitler, legal transcriptionist |
| Pay basis | Per audio or video minute |
| Payouts | Weekly via PayPal |
| Entry | Grammar quiz and transcription test |
| Schedule | No minimum hours |
How it works
You apply on Rev’s freelancer page, choose a role and complete the tests. Once accepted, you see a list of available files with their length, difficulty and pay. You claim a file, transcribe it in Rev’s editor to its style guide and submit it. Reviewers grade your work, and your grades decide which files you can access.
What you earn
Rev pays per minute of audio or video, and rates depend on role, language and file difficulty. Older versions of its freelancer page listed transcription at $0.30 to $1.10 per audio minute and captioning at $0.54 to $1.10. A third-party check of the page in October 2026 found English work starting at $0.65 per minute, up to $1.75, with average monthly earnings of $1,170 shown by Rev. Check the page for the current figures in your language.
Turning per-minute pay into an hourly rate
Transcription pay is for the length of the audio, not your working time. A beginner may need four to six minutes of work for every minute of audio, while an experienced transcriber can get down to three or four. A file paying $0.65 per minute that takes you four minutes per audio minute works out to under $10 an hour, so speed matters as much as the rate.
Getting paid
Rev pays weekly through PayPal for all work completed in the pay period. There are no minimum hours, so you can work as much or as little as you want, as long as files are available.
Waitlists
Rev sometimes runs a waitlist for new applicants in certain roles or languages. If that happens, sign up and keep practising on other platforms while you wait.
Common mistakes
New transcribers often ignore the style guide, rush difficult files or claim jobs they can’t finish in time. Grades drop quickly, and low grades limit the files you can see.
Getting started
Read the style guide before the test, practise with real podcasts or interviews and use a good pair of headphones. Start with clear, single-speaker files to build speed and grades.
Equipment
A quiet room, closed-back headphones and a reliable computer are the essentials. A foot pedal and text expander shortcuts are optional but can speed you up noticeably once you work regularly.
Owen’s take
Rev is the natural first stop for transcription because it has volume and pays weekly. Track your real hourly rate from day one so you know when to move on to better-paid work.
Who it suits
It suits careful typists who want flexible, pick-your-own work. It suits less well anyone expecting a steady hourly wage.
Similar options
- GoTranscript hires in many languages.
- TranscribeMe splits audio into short clips.
- 3Play Media pays contractors to edit transcripts.
- Transcribe Anywhere teaches transcription skills.
More options are in Transcribing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large volume of work
- Weekly PayPal payouts
- Several roles to grow into
Cons
- Low effective hourly pay at first
- Strict grading
- Waitlists in some roles
FAQ
How much does Rev pay transcribers?
It pays per audio minute; rates vary by role, language and difficulty, so check Rev’s freelancer page.
How does Rev pay?
Weekly through PayPal.
Do I need experience to join Rev?
No, but you must pass a grammar quiz and a transcription test.
Is the pay per hour?
No, it’s per minute of audio or video, not per hour worked.
What roles does Rev hire for?
Transcriptionists, captioners, subtitle translators and legal transcriptionists.
