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#4594 - 10/26/02 09:24 AM
Per line vs Per page rates
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Debb
Junior Member
Registered: 10/26/02
Posts: 5
Loc: NJ
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I've been transcribing for 15+ years for an MT agency and have always been paid by the page (2 to $2.50). Now I'm getting an account that is paid per line (8cents). Is there a formula to compare that rate against the per page rate? Thanks for all responses. Deb
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#4595 - 10/26/02 10:06 PM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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CRenee
Member
Registered: 03/20/00
Posts: 2319
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If you have a document on your computer that is a good example of what you do most of the time, use the word count feature (if you don't have line counting software), take the characters including spaces and divide by 65 (which is usually defined as a line), and multiply that figure by .08. That will give you the amount you made for that document. You don't say whether you get paid the same for half a page versus a full page or what, but you can get some idea by using the above formula. I would never again charge by the page, as I've found it to be a money-losing proposition.
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#4596 - 10/26/02 10:12 PM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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Debb
Junior Member
Registered: 10/26/02
Posts: 5
Loc: NJ
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Thank you. I will do that. I (fortunately) get paid for a full page even if I go over to a second page by only 2 lines. The new account was presented to me today, just as I'm thinking about leaving the agency, so rate is a big determining factor. The program the current agency uses causes me to spend 6 hours a week SENDING work, at no pay. I have an interview on Wednesday, and that job is by the hour (don't know $ yet). Thanks for your help - A big help!! Deb 
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#4597 - 10/26/02 11:18 AM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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Debb
Junior Member
Registered: 10/26/02
Posts: 5
Loc: NJ
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Ok - So I also have to consider the font size. In WordPerfect, we use 10 characters per inch. So if yesterday's 30-page file is 6950 words, I did 69,500 characters divided by 65 x .08 is about $85.50. Whoa - I was paid, per page, $72.00. Thanks a zillion
Deb
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#4598 - 10/27/02 02:55 PM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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CRenee
Member
Registered: 03/20/00
Posts: 2319
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Yes, WP would be different. I use MS Word. But that's why most places use DocuCount or another system.
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#4599 - 10/27/02 08:23 PM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Don't get so excited, Debb -- wrong math. A character is a character, no matter the font size, which is why you have to convert to a "common denominator" -- the character. Some "words" might be 3 characters (the) and some words might be 15 (cholecystectomy). A difference is whether you count a space as a character, and do NOT accept a job that doesn't count spaces as a character. Instead of knowing how many "words" were in your example, can you determine the number of characters (with spaces)? THEN divide by 65 and multiply by the line rate. That will be your true comparison.
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#4600 - 10/28/02 05:43 AM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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Debb
Junior Member
Registered: 10/26/02
Posts: 5
Loc: NJ
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Hi,
My agency was using WP 5.1 and all I can find is a word count. I sort of remember one of the managers saying a word is 6 or 8 characters, but this was a long time ago. Another web page said if it's 10 or 12 characters per inch blah, blah, blah - DUH, of course it makes no difference. (This is why I transcribe and don't do bookkeeping  My manager has not been able to tell me much about the new account I'm being offered - if I type in headings, how many pages are other MTs doing (the veterans like me), etc. I'm going to start cold calling for my own accounts - I have 5 hospitals in my area. Thanks for the input.
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#4601 - 10/28/02 09:04 AM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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CRenee
Member
Registered: 03/20/00
Posts: 2319
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Thanks for clearing that up, Gaile...I didn't feel like doing the math, but I knew that was way off...even though WP is different, not THAT different. Debb, do not be afraid to ask questions of your supervisor. No MT should just accept something like that without knowing exactly how the work is being counted. [ 10-28-2002: Message edited by: CRenee ]
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#4602 - 10/28/02 10:12 PM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Okay, so let's use your example to come up with a more reasonable estimation. 6950 words x 8 characters/word equals 55600 characters. Dividing 55600 by 65 characters/line gives you 855.39 lines. At .08/line, your sample document would give you $68.43 income, which is $3.50 LESS than what you were paid.
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#4603 - 10/28/02 12:14 PM
Re: Per line vs Per page rates
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Debb
Junior Member
Registered: 10/26/02
Posts: 5
Loc: NJ
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Thanks for all the input. I've been with this agency since 1987. The supervisor who told me how many characters a word is worked here about 5 years ago. Over the past two years, management has changed over multiple times. It's not that I'm afraid to ask questions, it's that they really don't know how to answer. Which, at this point, is my answer. Time to look elsewhere. The flexibility isn't worth the aggravation any more. I spend a good 5 hours a week trying to send files. If it wasn't for the fact that their software takes so long, I'd be getting paid $2.00\page. I 40 cents a page to make up for time spent trying to get into their system. All your answers will help tremendously in my job search. Thanks
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