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Freelance Closed Captioning information

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$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance closed captioning jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance closed captioning in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is freelance closed captioning?

Freelance closed captioning involves working independently to create accurate, time-synchronized captions for video content, such as TV shows, movies, online videos, and live broadcasts. Professionals in this field transcribe spoken dialogue, sound effects, and other relevant audio cues to ensure accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers. Freelancers can work for various clients, including production companies, streaming platforms, or third-party captioning services, and often have the flexibility to set their own schedules. Strong language skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with captioning software are essential for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance closed captioner?

To thrive as a Freelance Closed Captioner, you need excellent listening skills, fast and accurate typing ability, and a strong command of grammar and spelling, often supported by familiarity with captioning guidelines. Experience with captioning software such as EZTitles, CaptionMaker, or similar tools, along with knowledge of file formats and video editing basics, is typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to work independently are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the creation of high-quality, accessible captions that meet client deadlines and legal standards.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance closed captioners, and how can they be managed?

Freelance closed captioners often encounter challenges such as tight deadlines, varying audio quality, and the need to accurately caption specialized terminology or multiple speakers. Managing these challenges requires strong time management skills, familiarity with captioning software, and ongoing learning to stay updated on industry standards. Building a network with other captioners and seeking feedback can also help improve accuracy and efficiency. Setting realistic expectations with clients and maintaining clear communication are key to a successful freelance captioning career.

What is the difference between Freelance Closed Captioning vs Freelance Transcription?

AspectFreelance Closed CaptioningFreelance Transcription
CredentialsAudio/video editing skills, basic captioning software knowledgeStrong listening, typing, and language skills
Work EnvironmentVideo editing platforms, captioning softwareAudio recordings, text editors
Industry UsageMedia, entertainment, educationLegal, medical, general transcription
Search IntentCaptioning services, freelance captioner jobsTranscription services, freelance transcriber jobs

While both roles involve converting audio to text, Freelance Closed Captioning focuses on creating synchronized captions for videos, requiring familiarity with captioning standards and software. Freelance Transcription involves converting audio recordings into written text without synchronization, often for different industries. Understanding these differences helps freelancers target the right opportunities and develop relevant skills.

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What cities are hiring for Freelance Closed Captioning jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Closed Captioning job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Closed Captioning jobs?

The most popular types of Closed Captioning jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Closed Captioning jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Closed Captioning jobs include:

Freelance Closed Captioning jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Closed Captioning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.

Live Captioning/Streaming Project Manager - Contractor

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Keywords Studios
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation • 10K+ employees

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 78 rated media

Good employer

Learn new skills

Learn more about Keywords Studiosexternal

Part-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Keywords Studios is a renowned provider of services for the global gaming and media industries. We are currently seeking a Live Captioning Project Manager to join our dynamic team. As the Live Captioning Project Manager, you will play a pivotal role in planning, coordinating, and overseeing live captioning/streaming projects across various platforms. You will ensure that all projects are delivered on-time and meet the highest standards of quality. This role requires excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for accessibility in media.

Key Responsibilities
  • Manage and oversee live captioning and streaming projects from conception to completion, ensuring on-time and high-quality delivery.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (broadcast, engineering, IT, and accessibility) to define project requirements, timelines, and deliverables.
  • Lead the configuration and deployment of streaming infrastructure, captioning tools, and platforms (e.g., OBS, Wirecast, YouTube Live, Twitch, Zoom, etc.).
  • Ensure adherence to accessibility standards (e.g., ADA, WCAG) and compliance with live captioning and subtitling regulations.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in real-time during live broadcasts, ensuring minimal downtime and smooth operations.
  • Develop and implement workflows for integrating live captions, transcripts, and translations with live-streamed content.
  • Manage relationships with third-party vendors, freelancers, and captioning service providers.

Requirements

  • Experience in Live Streaming Technologies:
    • Proficiency in live streaming platforms and encoders (e.g., OBS, Wirecast, vMix, Wowza, Restream).
    • Knowledge of RTMP, HLS, WebRTC, and other video streaming protocols.
    • Experience with CDN services (e.g., Akamai, Cloudflare) for optimized content delivery.
    • Familiarity with server-side and client-side streaming architectures.
  • Live Captioning Expertise:
    • Strong understanding of real-time captioning technologies, including stenography, CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), and automated speech recognition (ASR).
    • Experience with captioning tools such as Ai-Media, EEG Falcon, CaptionSync, StreamText, or similar software.
    • Knowledge of caption file formats (SRT, VTT, SCC) and best practices for caption positioning, timing, and quality.
  • Technical Troubleshooting:
    • Proven ability to troubleshoot audio/video quality issues, latency, synchronization problems, and captioning delays.
    • Familiarity with video codecs, streaming resolutions, and bitrates for optimal performance.
  • Compliance & Accessibility:
    • Knowledge of accessibility standards such as ADA, WCAG, FCC guidelines, and country-specific live captioning regulations.
    • Experience with accessibility features in live streaming platforms (closed captions, transcripts, audio descriptions).
  • Project Management Skills:
    • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and work under tight deadlines.
    • Strong communication and leadership skills to collaborate with teams and stakeholders across different time zones.
  • Preferred Qualifications:
    • Bachelor's degree in IT, Broadcast Engineering, Media, or related field.
    • 3+ years of experience in live streaming, captioning, or a related technical project management role.

We are excited to welcome a passionate and skilled professional to our Keywords Studios team, contributing to the enhancement of accessibility in media.

Benefits

Part time position

Flexible hours.

Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We endeavor to create a workplace, which provides for equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY

Keywords Studios is strongly committed to protecting your personal information. By sending your CV/Resume, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and consent to your data being managed and retained in accordance with our data privacy and retention policy.

https://www.keywordsstudios.com/privacy-policy/

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About Keywords Studios

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Whatever the scale of your project, whatever the time frame, whatever your location: Keywords is here for you, bringing our network of 13,000+ people and 70+ studios together to deliver the unified solutions you need. We offer everything necessary to ensure your project achieves its full potential and that strategic opportunities are turned into long-term growth. The games industry is complex and fast-moving. Working with Keywords allows you to remain lean and agile, and to remain focused on creating the world’s most immersive playing experiences. Our network of studios brings best-in-class experience, expertise, technology and capacity across the full development, release and player-support lifecycle.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Burbank, CA, US

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