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Closed Caption Writer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Closed Caption Writer information

See Virginia salary details

$41.6K

$78.2K

$134.8K

How much do closed caption writer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for closed caption writer in Virginia is $78,189.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $101,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a closed caption writer?

To become a closed caption writer, you typically need strong typing skills, proficiency in transcription, and knowledge of captioning software. Many employers prefer candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent, and some roles may require certification or training in captioning standards and accessibility guidelines.

Is closed caption writing a good career?

Closed caption writing is a viable career that involves transcribing spoken dialogue for television, movies, and online content, often requiring strong typing skills and attention to detail. It can offer flexible schedules and remote work opportunities, but job availability may vary based on industry demand and experience level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a closed caption writer?

To thrive as a Closed Caption Writer, you need excellent listening skills, a strong command of grammar and spelling, and fast, accurate typing abilities, often demonstrated through relevant work experience or language proficiency. Familiarity with captioning software, transcription tools, and accessibility standards such as FCC guidelines is highly valued, and some employers may seek certification in closed captioning. Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to work independently under tight deadlines set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are crucial to producing accurate, timely captions that ensure accessible content for all audiences.

What is a closed caption writer?

A Closed Caption Writer creates accurate, timed text for videos, ensuring accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers. They transcribe dialogue, sound effects, and speaker identifiers while syncing captions to audio. Strong grammar, typing speed, and attention to detail are essential. Many Closed Caption Writers work for media companies, broadcasters, or online content creators.

How much do closed caption writers make?

Closed caption writers typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the content. Many work freelance or part-time, and proficiency with transcription tools and fast typing skills can influence pay rates.

What are some common challenges faced by closed caption writers, and how can they be addressed?

Closed Caption Writers often encounter challenges such as accents, background noise, technical jargon, or unclear audio, which can make transcribing dialogue accurately more difficult. To address these issues, professionals rely on high-quality audio equipment, specialized software, and sometimes collaborate with content producers or subject matter experts for clarification. Time management is also essential, as projects often have tight turnaround times, so developing efficient workflows helps meet deadlines consistently. Seeking feedback and continuous skill development can further help caption writers maintain accuracy and uphold accessibility standards in this fast-paced role.

What job categories do people searching Closed Caption Writer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Closed Caption Writer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Closed Caption Writer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,189 per year, or $37.6 per hour.

Assessment Specialist -Closed Captioning - FCC Compliance (Remote, Part Time)

TestPros

Sterling, VA • On-site, Remote

$40 - $70/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 1 hour ago


Job description

TestPros delivers innovative independent IT assessment solutions to critical challenges facing the nation and the world. We support the U.S. Federal Government and Commercial clients within the continental USA. TestPros is dedicated to making lives better, safer and more secure.
TestPros is seeking Accessibility Assessment Specialists with an analytical, customer-focused mindset and experience in usability, customer experience (CX), and accessibility compliance testing.
Start: Future projects late 2026 or 2027 (not an immediate job opening)
Type: Part-time consulting
Overview
Focus: Closed Captioning Quality and Caption Settings Accessibility for Television Devices
Regulatory Basis: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) closed captioning requirements
Location: Remote, with occasional travel to customer sites or TestPros labs in Sterling, VA
This role evaluates television devices for compliance with FCC closed captioning requirements, focusing on caption quality during video playback and the accessibility and usability of closed caption display settings within the TV user interface. The specialist performs hands-on device testing, documents compliance gaps, and provides actionable remediation guidance.
Key Responsibilities
Evaluate closed captions for accuracy, synchronicity, completeness, and placement. Test live, linear, and on-demand content as applicable. Identify caption timing, truncation, speaker attribution, and placement issues. Capture test evidence and document defects with clear reproduction steps and severity ratings. Assess accessibility and usability of caption display settings, including discoverability, customization options, consistency across apps and inputs, preview functionality, and interaction via standard remote controls. Develop and execute test plans mapped to FCC requirements, produce compliance assessment reports with remediation recommendations, validate fixes, and collaborate with QA, engineering, product, and compliance teams.
Required Skills
  • 5+ years of experience in accessibility testing, QA, compliance testing, or video/TV device testing
  • Hands-on experience evaluating closed captioning quality
  • Strong understanding of FCC closed captioning principles (accuracy, synchronicity, completeness, placement)
  • Experience testing physical TV devices using remote controls
  • Ability to document findings clearly with supporting evidence
  • Strong written communication and reporting skills
Preferred Skills
  • Experience testing smart TVs, set-top boxes, or streaming devices
  • Familiarity with caption customization features and UI discoverability testing
  • Knowledge of CVAA or device-level accessibility requirements
  • Accessibility or QA certifications (CPACC, WAS, or similar)

Work Environment: Hands-on device testing role. Remote-friendly when device access is available, with occasional on-site or hybrid work as needed.
Rate: $40-70/hr (1099 or Corp. To Corp.). This range represents a good-faith estimate and is not a guarantee; final compensation is determined by factors such as experience, qualifications, and government contract labor rate requirements and may fall outside the stated range.
Equal Opportunity Employer
TestPros is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.
Offer Considerations
TestPros considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.
Federal Compliance
As a federal contractor, TestPros is subject to all federal and state mandates and/or other customer requirements.