What Does a Proofreader Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a proofreader do?

Proofreaders and copy markers read transcripts or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical or compositional errors. The median pay is $51,120 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Short on-the-job training, and employment is projected to grow -0.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$51,120
$24.58/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-0.9%
2025–35, little or no change
Openings per year
1,100
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
Short on-the-job training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
8,500
Employment, 2025

What proofreaders do

Proofreaders are the last line of defense. They read final proofs of books, ads, legal documents and websites, catch typos, grammar and formatting errors and mark corrections.

BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical. Many work freelance. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

Read final proofs
Catch typos
Check grammar
Check formatting
Mark corrections
Compare to originals
Follow style guides

Work environment and schedule

Proofreaders work in offices and remotely.

Schedule: Full or part time, often freelance.

A day in the life

9:00 AMProof a book chapter.
11:00 AMCheck a legal brief.
12:30 PMCompare an ad to the copy deck.
2:00 PMProof website pages.

See a full day in the life of a proofreader →

Proofreader salary

Half of proofreaders earned more than $51,120 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,510 for the lowest 10% to $79,290 for the top 10%.

$34,51010th$51,120Median$79,29090th

Full proofreader pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a proofreader

Earn a bachelor’s
Take a proofreading course
Build samples
Find clients or jobs
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or communications is typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a proofreader →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Grammar
Spelling
Proofreading marks
Style guides
Formatting checks

People skills

Focus
Patience
Attention to detail
Reliability

All proofreader skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Remote and flexible
Quiet work
Detail satisfaction
Freelance options

Cons

Repetitive
Low pay on some platforms
Eye strain
Automation pressure

Certifications and licenses

Proofreading certificate: University or ACES.
Legal proofreading training: Helpful.
Chicago style course: Helpful.
AP style course: Helpful.

Career path

Proofreader: Entry.
Senior Proofreader: Lead.
Copy Editor: Edit.
Managing Editor: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Proofreader training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as proofread without missing errors and use standard proofreading marks, safety and how to land your first job.

View Proofreader training Is this career right for me?

Editor

Plan, review and improve writing for publications, websites and books.

$77,920
Writing experience plus on-the-job learning

Writer

Write books, scripts, ads and articles for readers and audiences.

$76,910
Years of practice

Court Reporter

Create word-for-word records of court proceedings and live captions.

$72,420
2–4 years

Desktop Publisher

Lay out text and images for brochures, books, reports and newsletters.

$55,290
2-year degree

Compare: Proofreader vs. Editor · Proofreader vs. Writer · Proofreader vs. Court Reporter · Proofreader vs. Desktop Publisher

Proofreader FAQ

Can proofreaders work remotely?

Many do.

Is it the same as editing?

No, proofreading catches final errors; editing improves writing.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does a proofreader make?

The median annual wage for proofreaders was $51,120 ($24.58 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,510 and the highest 10% earned more than $79,290.

How long does it take to become a proofreader?

Most people need about Short on-the-job training of training. A bachelor’s degree in English, journalism or communications is typical.

Do you need a degree to be a proofreader?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-9081 (Proofreaders and copy markers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Proofreaders and copy markers (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Proofreader