If there’s a better job than transcribing, I haven’t found it yet.
Transcribing offers a living wage for part-time work– work that is meaningful and intellectually engaging. And the long summer sabbatical gives me plenty of time to rest, so I can avoid strain and burnout.
But that down time is a mixed blessing, isn’t it?
For many transcribers, the income earned during the academic year is a time to catch up on bills, pay off debts, and enjoy more luxuries.
Then, suddenly, it’s May, and the income slows or stops entirely.
Transcribers plan ahead for seasonal gaps, of course. We may take on secondary employment, lean more heavily on a partner’s income, or take some additional training for fall. But money is tight, and uncertainty is high.
“I cut costs and stretched my pay over 12 months to help keep a consistent budget.” — Full-Time Transcriber, 21 years
What if I can’t fill my schedule next semester? What if I can’t pay off the credit card? Is seasonal work really worth the stress and worry?
Sometimes it’s appropriate to ask for a raise or a cost of living adjustment. We support this practice. Agencies should be paying competitive rates, and if you suspect that your hourly pay as a transcriber isn’t keeping up with inflation, we encourage you to talk to your supervisor about it.
But variations in pay across seasons and semesters is just part of being a transcriber. Transcribers who want to make a career out of this work must be strategic about spending and saving money.
“When I am transcribing on a regular basis, I always make sure to set money aside in my ‘summer fund.'” — E.E., Pennsylvania
That’s why TypeWell is offering a free personal finance course series for transcribers, with short, focused modules on topics like:
- Good money habits
- Making a budget
- Eliminating debt
- Starting to save
- Planning for retirement on your own
This resource may be especially valuable for newer transcribers, but even those with years of experience may benefit from a refresher. As a seasoned transcriber, I found it helpful to revisit my own budget and consider new strategies for managing debt.
Many transcribers already navigate the realities of seasonal income with creativity and resilience. We respect your experience and knowledge in this area, and we invite you to fill out the brief survey at the end of each section to tell us how you stay afloat. With your permission, we may share your responses to help other transcribers.
“The seasonal nature of transcription work can make it hard to plan ahead– but it’s not impossible.” – KB, Remote Transcriber, 6 years
To sign up for the course, follow this link and click “Get This Course.”
About the Author
Bit Blair has a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. She completed her Typewell training in 2013, and loves the way transcribing allows her to learn new things every day. Bit joined the TypeWell team in 2022 as a Scheduling Assistant and is now our Digital Content & Support Specialist.