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How Much Do Transcription Services Cost? A Straightforward Pricing Guide


paying for transcription services

How Do Transcription Services Usually Charge?


Most transcription companies charge by the audio minute. That just means they bill based on how long your recording is, not how long it takes someone to transcribe it.


Typical rates:

  • Human transcription (standard): $1.00 to $2.50 per audio minute

  • Rush or same-day delivery: $2.50 to $5.00 per minute

  • Verbatim transcription: add $0.25 to $0.50 per minute

  • Automated (AI) transcription: $0.10 to $0.50 per minute


If you’ve got a 30-minute interview and want human transcription, you’re probably looking at $30 to $75, give or take.


What Affects the Cost?


Several things can raise the price:


1. How fast you need it

Need that file back by the end of the day? That’s a rush job, and yep, it’ll usually cost more.


2. How clear your audio is

If your audio has a lot of background noise, muffled voices, or people talking over each other, it’s tougher to transcribe—and that can raise the cost.


3. How many people are talking

One-on-one interviews are pretty straightforward. But if you’ve got a focus group with five speakers and you want each one labeled? That’s more work.


4. Verbatim vs. clean read

Want every “um,” “uh,” and false start included? That’s called verbatim, and it takes more time to do. Clean read is smoother and edited, and usually the cheaper option.


5. Is your content super technical?

Medical, legal, or highly specialized topics sometimes require a transcriptionist who knows the lingo. That can add to the rate too.


Human vs. AI Transcription?


You’ve got two basic options: a real person or a machine.

  • Human transcription is more accurate, especially if your audio is messy, has accents, or involves technical language.

  • AI transcription is faster and cheaper. But don’t expect perfection. You’ll likely need to clean it up yourself.


Use AI if it’s just for internal use or notes. Go human when accuracy really matters, like for publishing, legal, or research work.


Any Extra Fees I Should Know About?

Sometimes, yes. Here are a few things that might come with added charges:

  • Timestamps

  • Speaker labels (e.g., “Speaker 1,” “Speaker 2”)

  • Foreign language audio

  • Special formatting (like captions or subtitle files)


Always ask what’s included..


Rough Pricing Examples

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you ballpark your budget:

Project Type

Estimated Cost

30-min interview (standard)

$30 – $75

1-hr focus group (verbatim, 4 speakers)

$90 – $150

2-hr webinar (clean read)

$120 – $200

10-min podcast (AI-generated)

$1 – $5



transcription service pricing

Final Thoughts

Transcription prices vary. It depends on how long your file is, how fast you need it, and how complex the content is. But now you’ve got a good idea of what goes into the pricing and how to plan for it.


At Qualtranscribe, we keep it simple, transparent, and affordable. No hidden fees. No surprises. Just accurate transcripts delivered on time.


Have a project in mind? Shoot us a message at support@qualtranscribe.com or give us a call at (415) 341-9036. We’ll help you figure out what works best for your timeline, your content, and your budget.

 
 
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