Do you sometimes look at videos and think: I could write the captions better than that!”?
Well, now you can.
You can get paid to caption videos, and in this, you’ll learn how to get paid to caption videos and the very best companies that pay you to do so.
Table of Contents
Why Get Paid to Caption Videos
Think about it, and it’s simple and fun to do!
First, this company has paid $25+ million to members:
SurveyJunkie (only USA, Canada, Australia residents allowed). You can earn money sharing your thoughts. They have already paid $25+ million to their 20+ million members just for sharing their thoughts and opinions. Click here to join SurveyJunkie for FREE
Captions play a role in making sure that people choose the right videos they want to see.
It also plays a role in the algorithm.
Companies need video captioners in order to make sure their content gets seen in the sea of the internet.
It’s simple to do, can be fun, and you can make some decent cash.
It mostly just requires good English language skills, a computer with good internet, and some free time.
6 Best Ways to Get Paid to Caption Videos
There are a variety of ways for you to get paid to caption videos.
1. Closed Captioning jobs
Closed captioning is where you caption pre-recorded shows or movies that are there, along with captions for the video and what they’re saying.
It is essentially transcription, but it requires you to type quickly and have good English language skills while also mastery of computers and understanding closed caption codes.
It is hard for some people since some companies do require you to type over 200 words a minute. But it can be good for you if you’d like to use your typing skills to good use.
A good site to check this out is Aberdeen.
Related: How Beginners Can Get Closed Captioning Jobs That Pay Well.
2. Subtitles
Lots of videos require subtitles, which is why people are paid to subtitle videos.
You must be proficient in different languages so that the subtitles are correct, but you can find plenty of these kinds of jobs out there if you’re skilled in multiple languages.
They also pay decently, as it does take time to do this job.
A good site to use for this is Crowdsurf since they offer flexible work.
Visit this link to check out Crowdsurf
3. YouTube Captions
There are ways to do captions specifically for YouTube.
Usually, this type of captioning is pretty easy to do, and you can do this to caption the videos that people watch.
Not everyone watches videos with the sound on, and sometimes it’s hard to understand people, which is why people will hire those to handle YouTube captions.
It pays decently, and there are always jobs. You can check out Vanan to find some good transcription and subtitling jobs.
Visit this link to check out Vanan
Also See: How to Get Paid to Watch Christmas Movies.
4. Transcription of Audio
Sometimes people just want written down information on what was said, usually used for eBooks or other copy.
That’s why they’ll put out jobs for transcription of audio, and you can get paid up to $.60 per minute just from doing this.
There are a variety of professional transcription jobs out there to try.
If you’re curious and want to start with this, you can go to Go Transcript to see if it’s right for you.
Visit this link to check out Go Transcript
5. Accessibility Captioning
There is captioning as well for those who are hard of hearing or deaf, giving them access to a variety of different media.
Accessibility captioning is a growing field, but it does require a certain bit of understanding of how to caption something to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
There are many marketing and sales pros who want someone to help with accessibility captioning, and much of their content is videos and other media.
You can check out Vitac to see if accessibility captioning is right for you and if you want to work with them.
Visit this link to check out Vitac
6. Real-time Captioning
This is captioning that’s done right then, right now.
It is not easy to do, and it can be hard for beginner captioners, but if you’re skilled in the art of captioning effectively, this is for you.
Being a captioner in real-time does pay a little bit more, and it can end up being a worthwhile opportunity.
If you want to work with an enterprise as a freelancer, there are jobs available.
CaptionStar is a great one if you’re looking to get into real-time captioning and have experience in doing so.
Visit this link to check out CaptionStar
10 Best Companies That Pay You for Video Captioning Jobs
Think captioning is right for you? Well, here are 10 amazing companies that will pay you to caption what they need.
1. Rev
Rev is one of the best in terms of freelance captioning services.
It requires you to take a small quiz and caption a sample to show how versed you are in the English language. If it’s approved, you can begin.
There are many different captioning jobs out there, so you can work as much or as little as you want.
You also get paid weekly for all of the completed and captioned files out there.
For steady captioning jobs, this is probably the best website for you to check out.
Visit this link to check out Rev
2. Fiverr
Fiverr has a lot of different options, and it’s probably one of the best places for you to start finding captioning jobs.
Despite the name, there’s a variety of jobs for a variety of different payment options; you just have to look for them.
It’s best if you do take a course before you start since you want to make sure that you’re right for the job.
Visit this link to check out Fiverr
3. CaptionMax
Similar to CaptionStar, this is another captioning company.
Again, this company has paid $25+ million to members:
SurveyJunkie (only USA, Canada, Australia residents allowed). You can earn money sharing your thoughts. They have already paid $25+ million to their 20+ million members just for sharing their thoughts and opinions. Click here to join SurveyJunkie for FREE
It’s one of the largest for closed captioning and accessibility.
There are some on-site and even freelance captioning jobs which you can apply for, and for the non-freelance jobs, you can also get company benefits including medical insurance, a 401)K) and even paid time off.
Visit this link to check out CaptionMax
4. Ai-Media
This is another closed captioning and life captioning service, and they do work with various shows and other media that play in houses.
They’re even associated with Shopify and Amazon.
It does have freelance options if you’re curious about doing this, and it usually is about $20-42 an hour, depending on how good you are with this sort of thing.
There are plenty of opportunities for freelance jobs with them, especially if you’re talented.
Visit this link to check out AI Media
5. Talking Type Captions
This is another freelance captioning company that offers closed captioning and subtitles to different digital content and media houses.
It does associate with A&E and The History channel, and they’re always looking to expand their team.
They don’t have a specific job page, so you’ll have to check frequently since these jobs aren’t always offered all the time.
The best way to inquire is to drop the resume and the contact form; that way, when there is an opening, you’ll be notified.
Visit this link to check out Talking Type Captions
6. Communication Services for the Deaf
While not as higher-paying as the other ones, this is a great opportunity that’ll pay you to caption videos and other media for the deaf and hard of hearing.
It’s really good not just for local deaf and hard of hearing communication, but also internationally.
They do offer transcription and good paying closed captioning jobs to those who would like to do this, and they do movies, videos, and even TV broadcast transcription.
It is on the lower end of the pay scale, about $11.40 an hour to the experts, but it’s a good one if you’re looking to start in the market of captioning services.
Visit this link to check out CSD
7. ASC Services
This is another captioning service that offers not just captioning for videos but also interpreting the text, transcribing, and also jobs in translation too.
They’re another global company with many different opportunities to put your captioning skills to good use.
They don’t have a specific page for careers, but you can use their “get a quote” page and attach your resume and samples to them, and they’ll contact you to tell you more about jobs there.
8. Copytalk
Copytalk business services is another transcription and closed captioning service that you can jump in right away.
It’s great if you know a bit about finances and financial tools, and if you’ve worked in the financial sector, this is a good place to begin.
They do freelancing opportunities, and while it isn’t the best pay, you can get lots of work, and you also get paid training as well, so if you’re new to this, it can be good for you to consider.
If you’re curious about CopyTalk, you can apply to them and see if this will work for you.
Visit this link to check out CopyTalk
9. Quick Caption
They are not giants in the industry, but they do offer a variety of transcription services to many people.
They are SMB, and they work with clients that will pay you quickly, and without problems, so you shouldn’t worry about problems with that.
This is good if you want good side cash and really isn’t considered a good option for full-time jobs since it does not have many open positions, and you have to be on that if you’re going to do this.
If you do this, though, check out the career segment to check out their offers.
Sometimes, it may require you to travel somewhere, though, so if you don’t want to do that, it’s not ideal.
But if you want to caption and get a variety of clients, it could offer some great opportunities for you.
Visit this link to check out Quick Caption
Also See: How to Make Money Horse Racing, How to Get Paid to Make Excel Spreadsheets & How to Get Paid for House Clearance.
10. DotSub
Finally, there is DotSub, which is a tech company that wants to focus on communications, making it as easy as they can.
They caption everything in a way to make communication better than before. They do offer some great positions that are good for those who are bilingual.
Minimally you do need native English language skills to start with this, but they do have apps open right now if you’re interested in joining.
Visit this link to check out DotSub
Making Money Captioning Videos FAQs
Should I Get Into Video Captioning Jobs?
If you’re good at typing quickly and hearing people correctly, it can be a great market.
There’s been a shortage of closed captioners for a few years, and it can be advantageous to go into this market.
How Much Money Can I Make as a Video Captioner?
It depends. Sometimes you can make a lot of money if you’re good at it.
Other times you might make less from other types of at-home jobs, such as transcription or data entry.
What Do I Need to Be a Good Captioner?
You need to have a great grasp of the English language, can pass a grammar and spelling test, and also can send a sample of your work.
If you get hired, you need to have a reliable and good computer with a good internet connection, headphones, and you need to type fast.
How Many Words Per Minute (WPM) Do I Minimally Need?
You should be able to do at least 100 words a minute, more than that if possible.
You need to be able to get closer to 200 since that’s about what the average human speaks a minute.
Related: How to Get Paid and Make Money from Typing.
What Are the Downsides to Getting Paid to Write Captions?
If you don’t type fast or don’t know how to write captions, it can take a long time. It oftentimes is more of a side hustle rather than a full-time job.
Sometimes you also deal with the challenge of poor audio files and strict due dates due to the needs of the client, so make sure that you’re ready for that before you decide to get paid to write captions.
Overall though, it’s a simple way to make some side cash and can turn into a legitimate career down the line.
Conclusion
If you want to get paid to write video captions, you sure can.
From movie and TV broadcasts to even small shows and such, there are always people out there looking for someone to do it.
It may not be the most fun work, but it’s steady work, and you can make a steady stream of income from this.
Again, this company has paid $25+ million to members:
SurveyJunkie (only USA, Canada, Australia residents allowed). You can earn money sharing your thoughts. They have already paid $25+ million to their 20+ million members just for sharing their thoughts and opinions. Click here to join SurveyJunkie for FREE