Transcription Rates - What You Need To Know

Many things have to be taken into account when transcribing a recording. It is not a matter of just sitting down to type. It is listening, researching, understanding and then typing.

There’s the misconception that it takes one hour to transcribe one hour of recorded material. People speak four to five times faster than an experienced typist can type. The professional industry standard allows one hour for every 15 minutes of clearly recorded speech. It, therefore, takes a minimum of four hours to complete a one-hour recording.

Other factors to consider are:

• Accents – if anyone has an accent the typist is not familiar with.
• Quality of Recording * recordings made with microphones built into the recording device provides poor sound
  * microphones not properly positioned near the speaker makes the speaker sound far away
  * exterior noise in the room (e.g. dishes clanging, people chatting)
• Number of Speakers – more than 2 speakers takes longer to transcribe; particularly if everyone speaks at the same time.
• Quality of Speech – if the speaker speaks fast, mumbles, turns his face away from the microphone.
• Recording Subject –the topic of discussion in the audio is also relevant. If it is of a technical nature (medical, legal, engineering) this requires research for spelling. Even simple recordings with different names, books, etc. can take extra time.
• Does the client want the document to be time stamped?
• Typing Speed – typing at the speed of 80 wpm, it takes approximately 4 to 9 minutes to transcribe a one-minute audio recording.
• Experience – lastly, experience plays a large role in transcription time. The typist`s knowledge of the subject can reduce the research time and improve speed. Being familiar with the speaker`s style and the words they commonly use also helps.

Remember: it takes 1 hour for every 15 minutes of clearly recorded speech.

My rates are: $1.00 per minute** (60 minutes x $1.00 = $60.00)

$5.00 an hour to expedite

**Extra charge if file has any of the factors above to consider.