Career comparison
Proofreader vs. Writer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Writers earn more at the median ($76,910 vs. $51,120), while proofreaders usually get to work faster (Short on-the-job training of training). Proofreaders catch errors in text before it’s printed or published. Writers write books, scripts, ads and articles for readers and audiences.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Proofreader | Writer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $51,120 ($24.58/hr) | $76,910 ($36.98/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,510 – $79,290 | $44,310 – $139,870 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.9% (little or no change) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 1,100 | 11,900 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Short on-the-job training | Years of practice |
| Key credential | Proofreading certificate | MFA in creative writing |
| Work setting | Proofreaders work in offices and remotely.. | Writers work at home, in offices and on location.. |
What each job does
Proofreader
- Read final proofs
- Catch typos
- Check grammar
- Check formatting
- Mark corrections
Writer
- Research topics
- Write drafts
- Revise
- Pitch ideas
- Meet deadlines
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, remote-friendly work, working independently, and steady routines. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose proofreader if…
- I spot every typo
- I like quiet focus
- I know grammar
Choose writer if…
- I love writing
- I’m self-disciplined
- I handle rejection
Still torn? Take the Proofreader fit quiz and the Writer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, proofreader or writer?
Writers earn more at the median: $76,910 versus $51,120 for proofreaders, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Proofreaders typically train faster (Short on-the-job training) than writers (Years of practice).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects writers to grow -0.3% from 2025–35, compared with -0.9% for proofreaders.