How to Make Extra Money with Rev Transcription - Side Hustle Watch

Rev is another player in the world of transcription gigs. I admire transcriptionists, as my typing skills stink.

Please note that as of November 2025, there is a waitlist to work for Rev. Here is the notification from their web site:

To that point, be sure to read our articles on other transcription companies such as HT Steno and Allegis.

🔍 What is Rev.com

Rev.com is a platform that connects freelancers (“Revvers”) to transcription, captioning, and translation tasks.
Apply to become a freelancer, pass a short quiz and sample, and then you’re eligible to pick tasks (audio/video files) you want to work on.
You listen/watch the file, type out what’s being said (for transcription) or sync captions (for captioning) and submit. Payment comes via PayPal weekly

✅ Pros of using Rev.com for extra income

Flexible schedule: You decide when and how much you work.
Low barrier to entry: A computer + reliable internet + solid English/grammar skills are the core requirements. No big startup cost.
Choose your work: You pick the tasks you’re comfortable with (length, topic, deadline) rather than being assigned fixed shifts.
Weekly pay via PayPal: Predictable payout schedule.
Home-friendly: Especially useful if you’re balancing a busy schedule.

⚠️ Cons / What to watch out for

Pay can be low to moderate: According to reviews around the web, some report that pay isn’t as good as other transcription companies.
Wait/list-time for approval: This fluctuates, but is a roadblock.
Quality demands: You’ll need good grammar, attention to detail, and speed, not just typing. Mistakes or slow work cut pay.
Work varies: Like many freelance platforms, you might see ebbs and flows in available tasks. One Redditor noted: “I easily quadruple what I made on Rev in a week … all of them paid more than Rev.” reddit.com

🎯 How to use Rev.com effectively (for best results)

Here are actionable tips to make this side hustle more productive:

Apply and complete the quiz/sample quickly – Don’t delay. The faster you’re approved, the sooner work becomes available.
Improve your typing speed + accuracy – Speed helps maximize your earnings, but accuracy matters too. It is a tough balance!
Use good equipment – A decent headset, quiet work environment and perhaps foot-pedal (if you go deep) help.
Track your effective rate – Monitor how much you earn per hour of work, not just per file.
Pick tasks you’re comfortable with – If certain topics or accents slow you dramatically, skip them or practice until you improve.
Blend with other side hustles – Because pay is modest, this works best as one stream among a few.
Monitor tax implications – Any side income is taxable. If you’re earning consistently, treat it like any business income: track expenses and set aside taxes.

💡 Who this side hustle is best for

Parents who need ultra-flexible hours (fits your schedule more than typical shift work).
People who type well, have strong grammar/English, and enjoy listening to audio content (podcasts, interviews, etc).
Side-hustlers who are building multiple income streams and treating this as one piece of the income mix.
Anyone comfortable with modest pay but valuing flexibility over high hourly rate.

🚫 Who might find this less appealing

If you’re looking for a high hourly rate immediately, this might frustrate you. It’s unlikely to replace a full-time income unless you’re very efficient and niche.
If you dislike listening carefully for accents, poor audio, or typing long hours, this could feel tedious.
If you need guaranteed daily hours or set schedule, Rev doesn’t deliver that.

🔮 Final verdict

Rev is a real company that offers legitimate, flexible work. The pay is somewhere in the middle, but it is worth checking out if you’re interested in transcription. Even though there is a waitlist, you can still apply.