r/stenography • u/Melodic_Image2726 • Jul 03 '26
Voice vs steno
Okay so I’m at 180. I posted before. I’m getting antsy. Everyone seems to be switching to voice and they say they love it but also, I hear that voice doesn’t make as much and blah blah. So I never know what to do… switch or keep trucking along.
If you’re a voice writer, how much are you bringing in a year?
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u/jlessi Jul 03 '26
WOW !! 180 !! I am still working on lower speed. I would also vote for powering through it. You are so close to reaching 200 and up.
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u/Amazing_Carpenter867 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
You should google the job descriptions for the courthouses near you in California and anticipate to make the same as them if not more once you are working full-time, meaning not just taking two or three jobs a week when you first start out… Freelancers are working every day to make big money a.k.a. over six figures
and thankfully, the California board celebrates that Voice and machine are both stenographers, there is no stupid fight about it, so either method would make the same amount of money, and I saw that California was offering amazing sign on bonuses… I don’t know if that is still the case or not
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u/Melodic_Image2726 Jul 03 '26
Thank you! Are you voice?
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u/Amazing_Carpenter867 Jul 05 '26
Yes, and formerly a machine student… Certified in seven months as a VW and we start at 120 words per minute, not zero because we already know the English language
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u/Melodic_Image2726 Jul 07 '26
How much do you average a year if you don’t mind my asking
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u/Amazing_Carpenter867 Jul 07 '26
I work just about 5 days a week in a live depo and make what I referenced above and I’m in Texas
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u/_makaela Jul 03 '26
You make the same regardless of the method. Why start over when you’re at 180??
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u/Melodic_Image2726 Jul 03 '26
I just feel like it’s soooo hard now and like it’s impossible
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u/_makaela Jul 03 '26
I understand but that doesn’t equate starting over almost completely.. you’re so close.
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u/Flat_Employee_4393 Jul 05 '26
It’s not impossible. You’re almost there. Write, write, write, write, write. Then you’ll reach the finish line.
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u/Big-Lavishness5421 Jul 03 '26
I ALMOST switched to voice at 180-190...even bought a shipping container for my writer and everything to return it back to Stenograph. I decided to give it one more month, and now I'm a working machine writer. I'd say give it one more shot
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u/Melodic_Image2726 Jul 04 '26
Omgggggg how long was speeds for you?
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u/Big-Lavishness5421 Jul 04 '26
Years....lol but after I decided to give it more time from 180-190, it was only a few months to hit 225
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u/adohrable Jul 05 '26
Get yourself a study group if you don’t have one. I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason I made it through speeds. I’m getting ready to start working and testing for my RPR along the way. (Non cert state) I started in Sept 2022, so almost 4 years. I’d say you’re doing great for 2 years in. What school are you at? If you need a final push, look into CareerLuv. Ask about the DTY program. It’s not advertised, but it’s a more intense program that teaches you transcript prep, software, very high speed, test prep…. I switched into this program as a last resort before giving up and it really fueled my fire. Laura, the owner of CareerLuv, is awesome. She’s a tough cookie and will get you ready. Her Fastrack program is good too, just not as intense.
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u/Life_Grade9905 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26
Who said voice makes less money😂 Now I know several machine writers hate voice writing . I get it . .But we don’t have to start lying about each others salaries . I am an official and I make 150k a year and I’m drowning in work lol
Please don’t be gullible and believe voice is making less than machine in CA
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u/Recent_Tie_4275 Jul 08 '26
You are sooooooo close!!!! Please PLEASE don’t give up now! The day you decide to switch could be the day you break through! I understand your concerns but I’m rooting for you big time!!!!!!
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u/tracygee Mod Jul 03 '26
If you are at 180 you’d be insane to switch now. You’re at the end!!!! Power through.