Choose Your Transcription Specialization
Every transcription career starts with general transcription, but specializing in medical or legal work can significantly increase your earning potential. This guide helps you understand the differences and choose the right path.
Quick Comparison
| Specialization | Pay Range | Entry Difficulty | Training Required | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | $15-25/hr | Easy | Minimal | Beginners |
| Medical | $22-35/hr | Moderate | 6-12 months | Healthcare interest |
| Legal | $25-40/hr | Hard | 6-12 months | Detail-oriented, verbatim accuracy |
Transcription Specializations
General Transcription
Pay: $15-25/hour
Entry: Easy (no certification required)
What You'll Transcribe:
- Podcasts and interviews
- Corporate meetings
- Focus groups
- YouTube videos
- Webinars and seminars
Skills Needed:
- 60+ WPM typing speed
- Good grammar
- Clean verbatim understanding
- Basic audio editing
Training Timeline:
2-4 weeks self-study with practice files
Best For:
Absolute beginners who want to start earning quickly without specialized training. Perfect entry point before specializing.
Learn More →
Medical Transcription
Pay: $22-35/hour
Entry: Moderate (certification recommended)
What You'll Transcribe:
- Doctor's notes and consultations
- Operative reports
- Discharge summaries
- Patient histories
- Radiology reports
Skills Needed:
- Medical terminology mastery
- HIPAA compliance knowledge
- Drug name recognition
- Anatomy understanding
- 99%+ accuracy
Training Timeline:
6-12 months formal training + RHDS certification
Best For:
Those interested in healthcare who want stable W2 employment with benefits. The AI revolution is creating more medical editor positions that pay better with less stress.
Learn More →
Legal Transcription
Pay: $25-40/hour
Entry: Hard (formal training required)
What You'll Transcribe:
- Court proceedings
- Depositions
- Legal correspondence
- Attorney dictation
- Arbitration sessions
Skills Needed:
- Perfect grammar and punctuation
- Legal terminology
- 100% verbatim accuracy
- Confidentiality
- Research skills
Training Timeline:
6-12 months legal transcription or court reporting program
Best For:
Detail-oriented perfectionists who can capture every word, pause, and stutter. Legal transcripts are court evidence, so accuracy is paramount.
Learn More →Recommended Career Paths
Path 1: Start General, Stay General (Fast Entry, Lower Ceiling)
- Month 1-2: Learn basics, practice with our Practice Lab
- Month 2-6: Work on Rev/GoTranscript ($10-15/hr), build portfolio
- Month 6-12: Find private clients on Upwork ($20-30/hr)
- Year 2+: Direct clients (podcasters, businesses) ($30-40/hr max)
Pros: Quick start, low training investment, flexible work
Cons: Pay ceiling around $30-40/hr, high competition
Path 2: General → Medical (Stable, Benefits, AI-Assisted)
- Year 1: General transcription for experience and income
- Year 1-2: Take medical terminology course, pass RHDS certification
- Year 2: Entry-level medical transcription or editing (TranscribeMe Medical, Accentus)
- Year 3+: W2 medical editor at Nuance/M*Modal ($22-35/hr + benefits)
Pros: W2 employment with health insurance, editing AI is faster than typing, stable income
Cons: 6-12 months training, memorization-heavy, shift-based work
Path 3: General → Legal (Highest Pay, Highest Difficulty)
- Year 1: General transcription for foundational skills
- Year 1-2: Legal transcription training program
- Year 2: Entry-level legal transcription (Tigerfish, local law firms)
- Year 3+: Premium legal work ($30-50/hr), possibly court reporting
Pros: Highest pay potential, respected profession, less affected by AI
Cons: Steep learning curve, zero tolerance for errors, stressful
Which Specialization Is Right for You?
Choose General If You:
- Want to start earning immediately
- Don't want to invest in training
- Prefer variety (different topics daily)
- Are comfortable with $20-30/hr long-term
- Value flexibility over specialization
Choose Medical If You:
- Are interested in healthcare
- Want W2 employment with benefits
- Can memorize terminology
- Are comfortable editing AI output
- Want stable, recession-proof work
Choose Legal If You:
- Are extremely detail-oriented
- Can handle pressure (court deadlines)
- Want the highest pay potential
- Have perfect grammar skills
- Don't mind verbatim transcription
Not Sure? Start Here:
- Try 3-6 months of general transcription
- See if you enjoy the work
- Test medical and legal practice files
- Research training program costs
- Make informed decision with experience
Training Resources by Specialization
General Transcription
- Our Complete Beginner's Guide (free)
- Practice Lab with audio files (free)
- Clean Verbatim Style Guide (free)
- Rev/GoTranscript style guides (free upon application)
Medical Transcription
- Career Step: $2,999, 4-month program, AHDI-approved
- Andrews School: $3,795, 9-month program, highest graduate employment rate
- M-TEC: $3,200, 6-month program, good value
- RHDS Certification: $195 exam fee (required after training)
Legal Transcription
- AbsolutelyAbby Legal Transcription: $997, 3-month online course
- Community College Certificates: $1,500-3,000, 6-12 months
- Court Reporter Programs: $3,000-10,000, 12-24 months (highest credibility)
Next Steps
Start Your Career
Get the complete roadmap to becoming a professional transcriptionist.
Read Career Guide →Practice Your Skills
Test all three specializations with our practice audio files.
Access Practice Lab →