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Last updated on Oct 18, 2021

Remote Proofreading Jobs and 26 Places to Find Them

With working from home becoming more common than ever before, remote proofreading jobs are gaining a lot of traction. Amongst the online jobs you can do, checking grammatical and spelling mistakes sounds like one of the easiest ones to pick up. But what exactly  does this kind of work entail, how much would it earn, and most importantly, how do you search for legitimate as well as rewarding proofreader jobs? These are all valid questions, the answers to which you can find right here.

What is proofreading?

To proofread is to go over a document’s final draft with a fine-tooth comb, searching for grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Unlike the job of a copy editor, you don't have to concern yourself with language style or voice. It may seem simple, but it requires a thorough understanding of not just the English language but also the appropriate manuscript formatting styles.

Web content, academic papers, and many other types of writing — To proofread and correct each of these kinds of content requires a thorough understanding of its preferred language and formats.

Because of their project-by-project nature, it is common for the gigs you get in this sector to be online, freelance proofreading jobs.

Becoming a proofreader and securing remote jobs

Luckily, you don’t have to go through intensive training or education to become a proofreader. Preferably, you'd have a bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, or a field relevant to the kind of content your hope of proofread. (To proofread for a medical company, you'd need background in medicine, for example.) Other than that, a certificate of completion for a proofreading course can make your profile much more appealing to potential clients. To get started on the right foot, consider:

🎓 Taking a training course via societies such as the  Editorial Freelancers Association ;

📝 Brushing up on style guides (APA, Chicago, and AP Styles);

💻 Creating a profile and following relevant groups/hashtags (this may include creating your own website, a LinkedIn, or a professional Twitter account);

✅ Being flexible about the kind of job you take on (work from different industries, projects involving copy editing ).

You can get more tips in our comprehensive guide on how to become a proofreader . If you’re all clear about the set up, let’s discover all the places that you can find remote jobs for proofreaders.

26 places to find remote proofreading jobs

Below are all the sites that offer legitimate freelance proofreading jobs. We’ve divided the list into two parts: one for those with experience and qualifications, and one for those without.

If you’re going into proofreading with certificates, graduate qualifications, or expert experience, here are the sites that you should check out. 

1. ProofreadingPal

Specializing in academic proofreading,  ProofreadingPal  prides itself on having a highly experienced staff. Because its scholarly projects, the editing skills required by this site are very advanced and specific. To secure a remote proofreading job on this site, you need to be a postgraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or have a graduate degree along with minimum five years of experience.

If you have a PhD in a writing-intensive discipline,  Edit911  is a good candidate for some remote work. Its proofreading services also tend toward high-level academic editing, so experience is crucial. And as it caters to a worldwide audience, having a strong grasp of a few manuscript styles will be plus.

WordsRU  is great for those who work from home, because it welcomes job applicants from all over the world, as long as they have at least a Master’s degree or higher. It offers a wider range of services for customers, including fiction manuscripts and web content, so its proofreaders receive a variety of projects.

4. American Journal Experts

Similar to WordsRU,  AJE  offers online proofreading jobs for those who have been or are currently enrolled in higher education at universities approved by  the Carnegie Classification . And as the name suggests, this online proofreading opportunity is more suitable for those based in America.

You may or may not have a PhD or a Master’s degree, but if you do have a strong track record in book editing and proofreading,  Reedsy  is the place to be. Our marketplace connects thousands of indie authors with publishing experts (like you!) who can help them produce high quality titles. On average, our professionals set a  proofreading rate  of around $600-$750 per manuscript, though each project varies. (Note that you can set your rates per hour, per word, or per project.)

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6. Polished Paper

Focusing on business and academic editing,  Polished Paper 's proofreader jobs are also suitable for experienced professionals. Instead of proving their qualifications, applicants are asked to complete a 35-question test to demonstrate their editing skills before getting accepted.

7. Managed Editing

Having worked mainly with non-profit organizations and prestigious institutes,  Managed Editing  chooses its freelance proofreaders carefully. A successful applicant will have at least five years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree, although most of its editors and proofreaders have higher qualifications.

8. Wordvice

Apply to  Wordvice  for a more international experience: the company offers editing and proofreading services on essays and business documents for second-language English users. You must have a minimum of two years of experience and a graduate degree to join this team of freelancers. (And needless to say, the remote jobs they have are available to proofreaders across the world!)

9. Start your own freelance business

This basically means creating your own website (don't forget to have a contact section with your email address in it!) along with a LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook account to spread the word about it. As you are your own boss, you can work from home, a coffee shop, or wherever else you want! Use your credentials and professional connections to attract customers. Combine that with impeccable proofreading services and you’ll grow your freelance business  in no time.

If you’re just starting out or don’t have higher education qualifications — don’t worry, there are plenty of beginner-friendly sites where you can find proofreading gigs and begin amassing professional experience. 

10. Scribendi

If you do have some experience in content production, i.e. you’ve been a copywriter or have edited your university newspaper, you can apply to  Scribendi . Its online proofreading jobs are focused on academic writing from high school to university level, so having a Bachelor’s degree is a must.

11. Scribbr

Scribbr ’s services are tailored to a younger academic audience, and while it doesn’t ask for specific qualifications, applicants do go through a thorough vetting process. To become a remote proofreader at Scribbr, you have to pass a language test and complete several assignments for evaluation (for which you will receive feedback). If you’ve taken an editing course, you should be able to do well.

12. Proofreading Services

Every remote proofreading job available here focuses on academic and business writing. Prospective proofreaders can join the staff part-time or full-time by getting at least 95% on  the site’s 20-minute test , which mainly focuses on grammar and spelling.

As an education-oriented publication,  CACTUS Communications  is constantly on the lookout for academic editors who can help it produce clear, engaging content. It does require at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, but you don’t need any prior work experience in editing and proofreading to find exciting opportunities.

14. Writer’s Relief

A resourceful website for authors,  Writer’s Relief  also provides book editing and publishing services which you as a remote proofreader can get involved in. Since they have  copy editors  going over everything beforehand, you’ll just have to focus on catching the little mistakes that slipped through.

Prompt  provides coaching services for college applicants, helping them with personal statements and essays. You will need to have been a university student yourself, and as the coach you’re expected to give more feedback than just online proofreading. It’s a good opportunity if you want to start with academic editing.

16. OneSpace Freelancers

OneSpace is a site made for new freelancers. There aren’t as many job postings on this site as on other proofreading services, but you do get support and feedback from their staff. They provide advice on how you can work better as a freelancer and build your business. So while you would't necessarily find remote work on this space, it's a good way to learn the craft of maintaining your freelance proofreading business in the long run.

17. Gramlee

From their tagline ("You write, we edti edit.") and service email address, you can already get a sense of how laid-back the staff at  Gramlee  would be. They welcome proofreaders with no qualifications, as long as they work hard to learn and fulfill the team’s guarantee of 24-hour turnover.

Upwork  is one of the biggest marketplaces for freelancers, and the remote jobs for editors and proofreaders you can find on here are often for technical and copy writing. Projects are usually on the smaller side, which means there isn’t always demand for highly experienced workers. Still, it's a good place to get started on your online proofreading career.

19. Flexjobs

Short for  flexible jobs ,  this job board  only posts work that you can do from home, so you don’t have to narrow the search yourself. There are plenty of proofreading jobs across many industries and countries for you to choose from, some of which are even full-time collaborations.

Indeed ’s interface is probably a familiar sight if you’ve looked for work before — it’s a platform that has everything from full-time positions to freelance gigs in all kinds of industries. Though it might take some digging, there are good remote jobs proofreaders can discover.

21. MediaBistro

MediaBistro  is a job board made specific for media-related jobs. You can filter your search to show only remote entry-level editing jobs to see if there’s anything available. Signing up also gets you a job alert round-up when new relevant jobs are posted.

22. Get Editing Jobs

Here’s another  editing-focused job posting site . You can search for remote proofreading jobs and it will automatically show you recent postings that fit the bill. You’ll then have to apply to the jobs on your own.

23. Domainite

Domainite  provides digital marketing services, from web designing to content writing and editing to its clients. You can easily sign up by filling in its form and sending in a writing sample. The scope of the work might go a little beyond the proofreading job, though you will acquire more skills that way!

Are you interested in marketing books? Visit our post on where to find book marketing jobs . 

24. Freelancer

This site  allows you to bid on a proofreading opportunity you can do remotely, and try to win the client over. There are a lot of projects available, so if you lose out on a bid for one, you can always find another!

❗ Note: Some of the rates you see here are much lower than the average as freelancers try to undercut to appeal to clients. Keep that in mind in formulating your own freelance quote .

25. Lionbridge

Lionbridge  is an international platform that offers marketing and business content creation services for firms across the globe. Specifically, its freelancers “test out” firms’ content — giving them feedback, not just on a linguistic point of view but also user experience and SEO. It's a bit of technical proofreading, if you’re interested.

Though it does not provide the highest paying remote proofreading jobs,  Fiverr is still a good opportunity for new freelancers to start their careers. It’s relatively easy to sign up to and create a profile that will attract customers, most of whom will be searching for competent beginners rather than experienced experts.

Hopefully this list will help you find your next remote job and kickstart your career, whether you’re a full-timer looking for side jobs or an aspiring freelancer. Remember to do your research and know what your proofreading service is worth to avoid being undercharged. With that, and a wish of good luck, we’ll send you into the world of freelance proofreading!

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31 Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners (Up to $35 Per Hour)

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Proofreading Jobs from Home No Experience

Table of Contents

Do you have the skill to correct punctuation and spelling errors?

If yes, then you have what it takes to become an online proofreader with an income potential between $36k-$60k a year.

Online proofreading jobs are in demand, because there is an increase in online content and marketing, which means more job opportunities for proofreaders.

A good number of bloggers and online businesses need help to proofread blogs, books and other digital content. They require a second pair of eyes to check and correct mistakes and edit errors before the article is published and goes live.

There are many online proofreading jobs for beginners who are interested in working either full-time or part-time.

If want to begin online proofreading jobs from home, you will find this to be a flexible work from home option that is not country-specific.

Online Proofreader Job Role

It’s a known fact that businesses and individuals need writing.

Writing covers tons of digital space, from emails to website “About Us” pages to product descriptions to eBooks and more. But what about the rest of the writing process?

Companies don’t just need someone to put pen to paper; they need someone to make sure the writing is clear, clean, and error-free. That’s where proofreaders come in.

Proofreaders make sure that writing is concise and accurate.

It’s great work for a detail-oriented individual who likes a challenge. Knowing what goes into solid proofreading is important, as it lets you earn more and helps you build a stable career.

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is a vital part of editing.

It’s the process of reading through a piece of writing and marking any errors you find so that they can be fixed before publication.

Proofreading is normally one of the last steps before a piece is published, and it’s used to catch smaller errors that might not have been caught in the initial drafts or developmental edits.

Proofreading jobs require you to take a piece of content written by someone (like a blog post or an email) and make it perfect.

It’s the final stage of editing, which involves correcting grammatical errors like misplaced commas and spelling errors.

Proofreaders look for:

• Simple grammar mistakes like improper spelling or punctuation errors.
• Strange sentence structure or word choice which makes the writing hard to read.
• Factual inconsistencies or small plot holes.

Catching and fixing these errors adds polish to pieces and gets them ready for professional publication.

It can make the work appear more authoritative and trustworthy, which is especially important to businesses and individuals looking to be seen as experts on a particular topic.

Here are a few types of online content that require proofreading:

• Blogs/websites
• eBooks, novels
• Email Newsletters
• Online Marketing Material – advertisements and brochures
• Social Media Posts
• Essay editing
• Research papers
• Resumes and cover letters

How Do You Make Money Proofreading?

While some publishing companies will hire in-house proofreaders, most people who make money from proofreading are freelancers.

Freelancers work on a project-by-project basis with a variety of clients; they aren’t full-time employees of a particular agency, and instead, work for themselves.

Getting started as a freelance proofreader is as simple as signing up for a job listing site (or multiple sites) and putting together a proofreading resume, which should focus on your experience and expertise with the English language.

In today’s post we will be taking a look at some proofreading companies that offer online proofreading jobs for beginners.

These sites let companies post listings for individual projects or longer-term contracts that you can apply to work on remotely.

Do You Need Qualifications to Become a Proofreader?

Since proofreading is often done on a freelance basis, there’s no one set of qualifications a proofreader needs to start working in the field.

Findings on Indeed suggest that proofreaders should be proficient in various academic writing styles, as well as familiar with editing software like Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word.

Many employers will administer their own proofreading competency tests to applicants, which on its own is enough to get many entry-level proofreading jobs.

How Do You Become a Proofreader?

If you are good with the red marker and can spot errors easily, you are halfway there.

The next half requires you to learn about the proofreading industry, how to run a proofreading business from home and to land clients.

For that I would recommend you take a look at this online training – Proofread Anywhere . It teaches you everything you need to become a proofreader.

Don’t forget to check out this free online proofreading workshop , so you can learn to use your word skills to make money from home.

How Much Do Online Proofreaders Make Per Hour as a Beginner?

According to Salary.com , the hourly rate for entry-level proofreaders are $20 an hour, the average pay rate is $26 an hour and the highest level of pay is $33 an hour.

So, a proofreader with no experience can still expect to make at least $20 an hour, making it more lucrative than many entry-level jobs.

Read our interview with a stay-at-home mom earning $1,000+/month with Proofread Anywhere’s online training .  

How to Land Entry Level Proofreading Jobs Online

Caitlin Pyle, creator and owner of Proofread Anywhere , has created a comprehensive online training suitable for aspiring proofreaders with no proofreading background or experience.

She has taught over 15,000 students in the last 7 years to become online proofreaders.

If you would like a taster session, feel free to watch Caitlin’s introductory video on proofreading, to see if this is the career  you are interested to pursue.

Proofread Anywhere’s online training teaches:

• How to proofread research papers, blogs and books
• Everything you need to know about proofreading
• How to find potential prospects
• Avoid common mistakes made by beginner proofreaders
• Practical step-by-step lessons
• Everything from basics to marketing!

The training also gives you access to a support team and a student community to help provide guidance and answer question as a new proofreader. 

For proofreaders not knowing where to start, this would be the best way to land entry level proofreading jobs online, with support and assistance to help you along the way.

Check out Cailtin’s free online video workshop to understand how to start and run a proofreading business at home.

31 Legitimate Online Proofreading jobs from home

The first few on the list are entry-level online proofreading jobs, while the options further down are for more experienced proofreaders.

While these are just some places to find remote proofreading jobs, social media and networking can land you more gigs. Joining Facebook blogger groups can help you connect with online business owners – a great way to network and find clients.

Let’s now take a look at these proofreading jobs that you can do either part-time or as a full time career.

1. Click Worker

At Click Worker, you get to work on a freelance basis in content creation, proofreading, editing or app testing. With the freedom to work whenever you like, this can be a flexible work at home job for stay at home moms.

Payments to you are made by PayPal either weekly or monthly.

Upwork is one of the best online platforms to find any type of freelance work, including proofreading jobs. 

They offer both short term and long term projects that can last up to 6 months.

Glancing at Upwork, you will see the pay rate for proofreaders are $16-$30 an hour. Definitely a worth checking out Upwork.

Fiverr is the best place to search for online proofreading jobs for beginners.

While the pay can be on the low scale, this makes a good starting point for entry-level proofreading to find work and experience.

Another freelance job board when you can use their search box to narrow down results for online proofreading jobs.

At Guru, jobs are offered at a fixed price or an hourly rate.

5. We Work Remotely

Offering a number of writing and copyediting jobs, We Work Remotely is another site to keep track, when searching for remote jobs.

6. Lionbridge

Lionbridge offer proofreading jobs online. Most of their job openings have very basic requirements which include a high school diploma.

7. Clear Voice

Clear Voice offers freelance proofreading jobs that hire worldwide.

The type of jobs they have available range from writing to proofreading. You get the opportunity to work as a freelancer, following a flexible work schedule.

Payments are made to you weekly or monthly by PayPal.

8. Polished Paper

To apply for an opportunity with Polished Paper, you will need to submit an application form and upload your resume. And the final stage is a 35 questionnaire editor test.

9. Kirkus Media

They are looking for freelance book reviewers in English and Spanish.

Reviews need to be 350 words and due 2 weeks after the book is assigned. Submit some of your writing samples to increase your chance of being accepted.

10. Babbletype

The criteria for eligibility is that you are a native English speaker with a fluency in English and basic grammar knowledge.

They pay weekly via PayPal and is a great place to start for beginner proofreaders.

11. Proofreadingservices.com

Pay is between $19-$46 an hour and you can apply from any country.

You will need to complete a 20-minute preliminary test to begin the application process. They have both full-time and part-time work opportunities.

12. Get Editing

They offer freelance editing and proofreading jobs.

If you sign up to their email listing, you will receive weekly new job openings in your inbox.

13. Writing Jobz

Writing Jobz offer a wide range of work for writers such as copywriting, essay writing and proofreading.

With over 100 jobs posted daily on a variety of topics, Writing Jobz can be the best place for freelancers to find proofreading work.

14. Ubiqus On Demand

Primarily a job site for transcriptionists, Ubiqus also offer jobs for proofreaders and copywriters.

15. Cambridge Proofreading

They are actively recruiting remote academic editors.

A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement due to the academic nature of the work.

You can expect to be proofreading and editing a wide range of materials but predominantly dissertations and theses from ESL students and academics.

Typical rates of pay are $20-30 per hour, depending on your editing speed.

16. Domainite Editing Jobs

You can apply by filling out an online application form. They require you to edit a sample as part of the application process.

17. Gramlee Jobs

Their website accepts clients that need editing completed within 24 hours. 

This means there is constant work coming in through the door – more opportunity for you. You can submit your application form right here .

18. Edit Fast

Edit Fast offers part-time proofreading jobs from home.

They will send you notifications when there is potential work available from clients, so you need to sign up with them to be notified.

19. English Trackers

They have a job board directory that you can check regularly to see if there is a suitable job vacancy.

You can also sign up with them to get weekly job listings delivered to your inbox.

20. eCorrectors

Whether you are a professional proofreader or a translator, you can apply with eCorrector. Just email them your resume to be eligible.

They occasionally hire proofreaders and freelance editors. Good to check them out to see if they are hiring.

You can choose to work either full time or as a freelance proofreader. If you see a job that doesn’t suit you, subscribe to get email alerts to be notified of new job openings.

They have been on the top 20 list of the best telecommuting jobs by Forbes in 2016.

To apply you need to have a degree in the subjects listed here.  Prior editing experience is not necessary but can be an advantage.

24. ProofreadingPal

They require you to have a minimum of 5 years of work experience and you can earn up to $3,000 a month.

If you are eligible to apply, there is an online independent contractor form that needs to be completed and you should hear back from them within 5-10 business days.

25. Scribbr

Scribbr offers a wide range of essay editing jobs online.

They provide work from home proofreading jobs with a flexible schedule – accept/decline job offers according to your preference.

You will also need to be a native English speaker and be available for work at least 10 hours a week.

If you are interested in editing papers online – try Scribbr.

26. Wordvice

You need to be a qualified and experienced freelance editor to apply.

They don’t specify how many years of experience is needed, although typical work involves editing research articles, thesis, and essays.

27. Sibia Proofreading

Currently not accepting new applications. But be sure to check back to apply.

28. Proofread Now

They require you to have a minimum of 5 years of work experience to apply. You can sign up to their newsletter to be notified of new job openings.

29. Words RU

They are looking for highly qualified proofreaders from any country. They are currently hiring, so you can apply if you meet their requirements.

30. Scribendi

Experience is required for editors and proofreaders to apply.

31. Managed Editing

You will need to have a college degree and at least 5 years of editing experience in order to apply.

How to Find Online Proofreading Jobs?

If you are looking for freelance proofreading jobs on a large platform, here are a couple of places you can find work.

Freelancing is a great way for entry level proofreaders to build a portfolio.

While searching for a job, apart from using online proofreading companies, also browse the internet using keywords such as editing jobs, copy editing jobs, or remote proofreading jobs to broaden your search results.

Job boards:

Job board directories are also great to find new jobs on a regular basis. Because of their massive reach and database, you have more jobs to choose from, with new vacancies added frequently. Here are two of the biggest websites that hire remote workers.

• People Per Hour
• Pro Blogger
• Virtual Vocations

Start your own website

If you want to ride solo and be your own boss, the best thing to do is to  start your own website .

It costs less than $100 a year to have your own site, which you can use to promote your proofreading services.

You can set your own rates, offer discounted pricing and also provide special offers on certain services.

Create a blog section on your website to showcase samples of your work. You can also post reviews of customer satisfaction on your site.

How do you promote your work?

It’s great when you own your business, but the big question is where can you find clients especially if you are just getting started?

• Start a Facebook page and promote it to family and friends. Word of mouth is the best way to get started as a beginner.
• You can share your services on relevant Facebook groups.
• My best option is Pinterest. It can get the word out a lot faster. You can create pin images of your website and direct readers from Pinterest to site. Here is a more detailed post on how you can do this.

Enroll in Caitlin’s FREE proofreading workshop to see if this is the right career for you.

3 simple ways to tell if proofreading is for you..

• Are you good at catching typos and misplaced punctuation ?
• Do you often correct texts on social media?
• Cringe when a restaurant menu has a misspelled word?

Want to explore further?

Use your proofreading skills to branch out into these 4 online editing jobs that are also high paying.

• Transcription – As a transcriber, you will need to convert a set of live or pre-recorded audio files into text. You can put your proofreading skills to use in this career, as it requires you to type out an error-free document.  Transcribers earn up to $45,000 a year.
• Freelance writing  – Every writer needs their content to be proofread, and as a proofreader, you are going to be able to spot errors instantly. You can offer your writing service on freelance websites or on blogs and websites. Highlighting your proofreading skills will land you high paying gigs, and give you higher chances of being accepted.
• Blogging – Start your own website and put your writing skills to use. There are many bloggers making a 6 figure income working from home, blogging.
• Sell a book  – As a proofreader, you will be able to create an error-free book. You can consider this option if you are looking to make a passive income from home. 

Get Paid to Proofread Online

Proofreading for money is a relatively simple field to break into.

As long as you’re able to prove your mastery of the language, give consistent work of high quality, and manage your own schedule, finding proofreading jobs from home is a great way to earn money on your own schedule.

If you are happy to edit papers for money, this is definitely the career to consider.

Online Proofreading Jobs

17 comments.

Great info! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Brittany!

Thanks for such a gorgeous piece of information. I am new in this world and want to start an online job. But I don’t know how to do. Pls tell me how to join/ start. I did PhD in textiles and apparel designing. This site gives me a inspiration. Thank you once again for such sincere effort.

Thank you for the great info it helps a lot specially on my part I’m a newbie in this and don’t have any idea what kind of work is proofreading. Thank you thank you

Thanks for such a gorgeous piece of information. I am new in this world and want to start an online job. But I don’t know what to do. This site gives me a inspiration. Thank you once again for such sincere effort.

I want to become a reviewer of books

Wow that’s a really great list, so many companies, I didn’t know that there is so many who can hire you. Definitely saving this list : )

Great info, Awesome content , thanks for sharing.

Great content, I’ll be trying some of those things out, thanks a lot

Thank you so much for your very helpful info , which is of great assistance for me , it is somewhat difficult for a person who spent much of his life as a regular full time employee . Thank you again .

Your blog is very informative for a person who has punctuation correction skills but they don’t have an idea about proofreading but they are seeking for a job. I found your blog very helpful. Thanks!

Very informative.Thank you for sharing.More power and God bless!!!

Nice. How can I register. I need a link please

The link for 7. Clear Voice opens to Click Worker.

Thanks Brittany, I have updated the link.

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How to Become a Proofreader in 5 Easy Steps (Beginner’s Guide)

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In the two years that I’ve been a full-time writer, I’ve gotten exponentially better at grammar and punctuation.

But as any of my editors will tell you, I’m not perfect. That’s why it’s so helpful to have proofreading tools and services available when I need them.

I’m not the only one who feels this way. There are many professions and industries where people rely on proofreaders to make sure the things they publish are free from errors.

Ever wonder what it takes to become one of those proofreaders and make money from home?

It’s a great side hustle opportunity, but there are a few things you should know about how to become a proofreader before you get started.

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is simply reading a document and marking or correcting any errors. A proofreader makes the final pass to ensure a published work is free of all spelling and grammar mistakes.

To be a proofreader, you must have great attention to detail and be willing to communicate if you’re not sure about something. If the proofreader is having a hard time understanding something, odds are the audience will, too. And the writer may not even read it once the proofreader’s done with it, so the document has to be perfect.

“What I didn’t realize about proofreading when I started – that I certainly know now – is that your clients really will depend on you to be a final proof and may not even glance at the content again before considering it finalized,” said Jennifer Johnson, a communications and public relations consultant at jentimecity.com.

How Much Do Proofreaders Make?

An experienced proofreader can charge anywhere from $20 to $45 an hour, depending on the scope of the work. According to the Editorial Freelancers Association, the average is $30 to $35 per hour, assuming 2,200 to 3,200 words per hour. PayScale reports the median yearly salary to come in at just under $45,000 per year.

Beverly Darnell, a writer for USInsuranceAgents.com, has been proofreading for nearly 30 years.

“I was a full-time contract proofreader for six months at a large insurance company,” Darnell said. “I was paid $23.00/hour for 40 hours a week of AP Style proofreading.”

What you make is also determined by how much your services are needed. If you choose an in-demand niche such as legal transcript reporting, you could have consistent work more easily than other niches.

Caitlin Pyle, a legal transcript proofreader and educator, earned just over $43,000 in her first year, working about 20 to 30 hours a week.

“There are a couple of reasons that transcript proofreading is popular,” Pyle said. “Court reporters are in high demand; there’s actually a projected shortage of these skilled professionals, and proofreaders enable reporters to focus on what makes them money: going to jobs and producing more pages.”

Related: How Tori Gellino Makes $1,200 per Month as a Virtual Proofreader

Proofreading vs. Copyediting vs. Scoping

“The first thing to know about proofreading — and this ties into how much you can charge — is that it’s critical to make sure you and your client are working from the same definition of “proofreading,” said Patti Podnar, a freelance content strategist at PattiPodnar.com.

“What if you realize that the content you’re proofreading is making an argument based on flawed logic? What if, from your own experience, you have additional information that would make the content stronger? Are they open to that kind of input? If so, you’re not just proofreading; you’re doing developmental editing and should charge accordingly.”

Copyediting and proofreading do much of the same thing, but they’re done in a particular order. Copyediting comes first, checking for initial grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. A copy editor also corrects for things like the continuity of the story, clarity of phrases, copyright infringements, facts checking, and correct citations.

Proofreading is the final step before publishing. Once something is copyedited and formatted, a proofreader checks for any mistakes the editor missed or potentially introduced: issues with formatting, and visual consistency in headings, tables, etc.

Scoping is another service that often gets mistaken as proofreading. Scoping is editing transcripts for court reporters. Scopists use the same steno software that court reporters use with audio to ensure everything was transcribed as accurately as possible.

A scopist or court reporter will then hire a proofreader to go through the document one final time to catch small errors like capitalization, punctuation, and word usage.

How to Become a Proofreader in 5 Simple Steps 

You can start proofreading online as a side hustle — or potentially a full-time online business —  in as short as a few weeks. Using the right strategy will get you there faster than others.

1. Decide if You Have the Skills to Become a Proofreader

Proofreading isn’t for everyone. You have to have exceptional attention to detail and be able to work fast.

“If you overlook something, it could cost a company a lot of money to make corrections,” Darnell said. “It can also be fast-paced, high-volume work. You need to be a master multi-tasker who can complete tasks quickly.”

Sometimes you have to learn specialized skills beyond traditional punctuation and grammar.

“For legal transcript proofreading, you also have to adapt to the rules of transcripts, which aren’t the same as other proofreading or copy editing,” Pyle said. “You can’t change the grammar, ever — no matter how awful it is. Punctuation is more important than grammar in transcripts, and you have to know how to apply those rules to some really tricky constructions.”

While skills vary across different types of proofreading, some qualities are universal for all proofreaders.

• Reliability: A sought-after proofreader must be able to meet deadlines and respond to client emails promptly.
• Flexibility: They must be able to work with printed and digital materials.
• Perfectionism: Proofreaders should be meticulous and detail-oriented.

If you’re still unsure how to make money proofreading or if it’s a good fit for you at all, Caitlin Pyle offers a free workshop designed to introduce people to the field of proofreading online. It’s also packed with great advice and business-building tips for any type of freelancer.

2. Get Training on How to Become a Proofreader

To get started, you’ll need some proofreading training. Darnell recommends picking one style and committing to it.

“I suggest picking either AP or Chicago Style of writing and becoming so well-versed in it that you can tell which is being used within the first few sentences of a written document,” she said.

You can find free quizzes to test yourself on Chicago and AP Style , but there aren’t many places to learn the skills needed to become a good proofreader. That’s one of the reasons Pyle makes proofreading courses.

Her course, Transcript Proofreading: Theory and Practice , teaches students basic proofreading skills, how to set up their business,  and how to get and keep clients. Students complete more than 3,000 transcript pages and take three tests to graduate.

At the end of the self-paced course, which usually takes between two and four months to complete, graduates are well-equipped to start their own legal transcript proofreading business.

She also has a general proofreading course for people who want broader proofreading training. Her training aims to take the learning curve out of proofreading and get students to make more money faster.

3. Determine Your Niche

Once you’ve decided you’ve got the skills for proofreading and you enjoy it, it’s time to explore the niche options available. You can choose from several different types of proofreading niches depending on your strengths and time availability.

Print media proofreading: This is the most traditional type of proofreading. Checking for spelling, grammar, and formatting issues in newspapers, books, and other printed or online publications.

Marketing materials: Large companies spend millions of dollars on printed and online ad campaigns, and one mistake could cost them additional millions. A marketing proofreader checks the spelling, grammar, and formatting of ads, press releases, and emails.

Academic proofreading: Beyond grammar and spelling, academic proofreaders check references, citations, and style in assignments, dissertations, and course materials.

Proofreading translations: Proofreading translations may require proficiency in the translated language, but not always. These proofreaders specifically make sure the meaning and context of the translation are accurate.

Transcript proofreading: Many YouTube and podcast hosts will transcribe their audio for use on their website. Proofreaders here make sure the automated transcription makes sense and is formatted correctly.

Legal transcript proofreading: Checking for accuracy of court reporter transcripts. This type of proofreading is unique in that there’s no grammar or style correction. Proofreaders are checking for accuracy between the audio and transcript and correcting punctuation. This is one of the more lucrative and consistent forms of proofreading.

Related: 11 Ways to Get Paid to Read Books In Your Spare Time

4. Set Your Proofreading Rates

Beginning freelance proofreaders charge anywhere from $10 to $35 per hour based on the document length, turnaround time, and skill set needed to complete the work. The more specific your expertise, the more you can charge.

Johnson said she made $15 an hour starting out proofreading and technical editing at an engineering company nine years ago.

“A starting rate for proofreading in 2019 would be more like $25 per hour,” she said.

When you’re starting out, don’t be disappointed by all the lower-paying proofreading jobs. Take what you can get and make it a point to continue learning and niching down as you gain experience.

5. Look for Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners

Decide whether you want to start your own business and find clients on your own or take a job. You can find proofreading jobs from sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter .

Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn are great places to post your resume when you don’t know where to start. Facebook groups for writers and people in media can be good too, but you should avoid being spammy and only offer advice or services when asked. You can also post your services in the English building or library on college campuses.

If you know the niche you want to work in, join industry-specific groups and reach out to people who might be in charge of finding proofreaders.

Related: How to Become a Freelance Writer (A Guide by One that Makes $200,000+/Yr)

Proofreading Resources

To be a successful proofreader, you have to be proficient with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and more. But there are tools and resources that can help you complete work faster and with more accuracy.

Grammarly is a free app for Google Chrome and macOS that detects grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors and allows you to fix them with one click. It also detects wordiness and offers alternative phrasing.

The premium version of Grammarly goes further by detecting overused words, unclear sentence structure, and even plagiarism.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a premium app with a limited free version that focuses more on context, syntax, and structure. It’s helpful in editing long-form content and can help you become a better writer with in-depth explanations for its recommendations.

Hemingway App

The Hemingway App aims to make your writing clear and concise. You can use it as a free online editor or pay for a downloadable version. It highlights in different colors to show where sentences and words can be made clearer. It even analyzes the text to show the grade level it’s written and how long it takes to read.

AP Stylebook

The Associated Press publishes and updates the AP Stylebook , the primary style reference for news and public relations. You can purchase a physical or digital copy to reference when proofreading or download style-checking tools for Microsoft Word and more.

Chicago Manual of Style

Anyone proofreading books, periodicals, and journals should be well-acquainted with the Chicago Manual of Style . It’s much more in-depth than the AP Stylebook so having a copy to reference will be far easier than trying to memorize the complete 950-page guide.

Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer

Dreyer’s English is a book on grammar that will teach you lessons from Dreyer’s 20 years in copyediting for Random House and will entertain you to no end. This book is essential reading for anyone who works with the English language.

The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr.

The Elements of Style is an American English writing style guide focusing on telling good stories with as few words as possible. Time listed it as one of the 100 best and most influential books written in English since 1923.

Related: 29 Best Work From Home Jobs for 2021

Proofreading Online Can Provide a Flexible Income

Proofreading is a reliable job that’s been around since the dawn of print media, and it’s one that will continue to stick around as the demand for content marketing and court reporting increase.

It won’t make you rich, but when you know how to become a proofreader you can create a lucrative side hustle for yourself.

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This content may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. However, I only recommend products or services that I genuinely like and trust.

Want to become a successful proofreader but struggling to find freelance proofreading jobs? 

Finding clients is one of the most stressful parts of being a freelancer, but it doesn’t have to be. There are lots of online proofreading jobs available; you just have to know where to look. 

I’ve compiled a list of proofreading websites that hire proofreaders and editors to work for them. They find the clients; all you have to worry about is doing the work! 

Of course, working for an agency has pros and cons. You don’t have to do as much marketing, but as a result, you may earn a little less once the company has taken its cut. 

Stick around for the FAQ section at the end of this post, where I share some information about starting your own business. 

Table of Contents

Websites That Provide Freelance Proofreading Jobs

1.  scribendi.

Scribendi  is a Canada-based company that hires editors and proofreaders to edit content for its ESL, academic, professional, and student clients. It has both in-house and freelance positions. 

Suitable for beginners?

No. Scribendi requires that you have at least three years of experience in editing, writing, document production, or language teaching.

Do you need a degree?

Yes, you need to have a university degree in a relevant field. 

Special requirements:

You need to have native level English ability. However, the website states that the company hires proofreaders and editors outside the US and Canada. 

Your computer must have Microsoft Word 2010 or higher. 

2.  Proofed Inc.

Proofed offers proofreading, editing, and formatting services to businesses, students, and academics, and promises to return documents within 24 hours. 

Yes. If you don’t have experience yet, you can take its Knowadays Becoming a Proofreader and Becoming an Editor Courses (formerly Proofreading Academy) first. If you graduate with a score of 80% or higher from both courses, you are guaranteed the chance to work with Proofed.

Sign up for a free trial of the Knowadays Becoming a Proofreader course here!

I wrote a review of the Knowdays (formerly Proofreading Academy) Becoming a Proofreader course here.

Yes. Proofed is looking for meticulous, passionate proofreaders with a PhD, master’s, or undergraduate degree from a top university. However, if you complete its course, it will waive this requirement. 

You must upload a copy of your résumé and cover letter to apply for a role with Proofed. 

3.  ProofreadNOW

ProofreadNOW’s proofreaders and editors have been proofreading business documents since 1999. Its clients include law firms, marketing agencies, universities, healthcare providers, and more. 

ProofreadNOW is not hiring at present, but you can  sign up for its email list to be notified  when it is hiring. 

No. ProofreadNOW requires that you have five years of experience as a proofreader. 

The website doesn’t specify.  

You must pass a series of tedious and difficult tests before being hired.  

4.  Polished Paper

Polished Paper is a proofreading and editing service for students, businesses, and ESL writers. 

Register here to be considered for a position with Polished Paper. 

Possibly. The website doesn’t specify how many years of experience you need. 

You must pass a 35-question editor test before being hired. 

5.  Reedsy

Reedsy connects authors with proofreaders, editors, designers, and marketers who can help them bring their book to life and publish it. 

With Reedsy, you can set your own rates, and it charges a 10% commission. To apply, you must  sign up for a free Reedsy profile , and once you are accepted, you will be added to the marketplace. 

From what I’ve heard it can be quite difficult to get into Reedsy. I believe you need to have some experience already, but the website doesn’t specify. 

The website doesn’t specify. I think experience is more important to them.  

Not aware of any. 

6.  Domainite

Domainite  offers a range of services like marketing, website design, and direct mailing to its business customers. 

Possibly. The website doesn’t specify how much experience you need to have.

You must complete an  editing sample  before being hired. You must also confirm that you are familiar with using track changes in Microsoft Word. 

7.  Gramlee

Gramlee offers copyediting, grammar check, and proofreading services for students and academics.

You need to  fill out Gramlee’s employment form  to be considered for a proofreading or editing position.  

Possibly. The website doesn’t specify how many years of experience the company requires, but the form does ask how much experience you have.

The website doesn’t specify, but the form does ask if you have a degree.   

8.  Wordvice

Wordvice has been editing academic material and admissions essays for ESL clients since 2013. It has service agreements with many universities, academic societies, medical centers, research institutions, and laboratories.

Apply here to become a freelance editor with Wordvice. 

No. You need to have two years’ professional editing experience. It prefers that you have an educational background or have experience in medicine, engineering, or other biomedical and natural science domain.

Yes. You need to have completed or be enrolled in a graduate degree program.  

You must have native fluency in English. You must also have experience with various formatting styles such as APA, AMA, MLA, and Chicago.

9.  CACTUS

CACTUS  specializes in editing scientific and medical documents for academics. It is known for being a good place to work, consistently ranking among the top 20 on the global list of the Top 100 Companies for Telecommute Jobs (Forbes.com) since 2016.

The website states that “prior editing experience would be great.”

Yes. You need to have a PhD/master’s/bachelor’s degree or expertise in one or more specialized subject areas in physical sciences, engineering, materials sciences, healthcare, life sciences, medicine, and surgery. 

In addition to freelance positions where you can work from anywhere in the world, CACTUS also offers some full-time remote positions for people based in India. You may be asked to take an editing test to secure one of these positions. 

10.  Sibia Proofreading

Sibia Proofreading  was founded by Dona, a Harvard graduate. It offers proofreading and editing services for academics including journal articles, dissertations, theses, essays, etc.

The website doesn’t state how many years of experience you need to have; however, it does mention that its editors have experience editing PhDs. 

Yes. Sibia Proofreading carefully selects talented and experienced editing professionals who have graduated from top-tier universities such as Harvard University.

You need to be a native English speaker. 

11.  ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com  has helped thousands of academics, jobseekers, businesspeople, and authors refine their writing. It has part-time and full-time remote positions available.

It offers competitive pay ranging from US$19 to US$46 per hour depending on turnaround time, with the highest pay for the most urgent deadlines.

The website doesn’t specify. 

You need to complete an online application that includes multiple choice questions and a three to four-sentence writing sample.  

12.  ProofreadingPal

ProofreadingPal  uses a two-proofreader model whereby all documents must be proofed by two proofreaders to ensure it provides the highest-quality proofreading service. 

No. You need to have a minimum of five years of professional proofreading and editing experience or be working toward a degree.

Yes. If you do not already have a degree, you need to be currently employed by or enrolled as a graduate or postgraduate student in an accredited United States college or university and have a minimum GPA of 3.5.

You must have experience with several popular writing styles, such as APA, MLA, CMS, AP, and CSE.

13.  Edit24-7

Edit 24-7  specializes in proofreading and light editing for academics, businesses, and writers.

According to the website, Edit 24-7 has an extensive application process. To apply for a position, you need to send a writing sample and either your resume or a description of your relevant experience to [email protected].

14.  EditFast

The   EditFast  platform allows eligible editors and proofreaders to set up a web page where potential clients can reach out to them. Clients can choose which editor they want to work with or have EditFast choose someone.  

EditFast gets 40% of the final project price. 

The website states a requirement for past editing/proofreading experience, but it doesn’t say how many years.  

You need to have a degree from a recognized university. 

You must keep all communications with clients on the EditFast platform. 

15.  Edit911

Edit911  provides book, dissertation, article, and document editing by editors with PhDs.

The website doesn’t specify how many years of experience you need to have, but it does mention that you should have verifiable experience, so I don’t think it is suitable for beginners.  

Yes. You need to have a PhD in English or another writing-intensive discipline. You must also be a published scholar, with demonstrable talent and skills as a writer.

You need to send your résumé and a sample of your writing to Edit911 to be considered for a position.

16.  First Editing

First Editing provides fiction, nonfiction, and academic editing services. 

The website lists  First Editing’s requirements  here.   

It would be advantageous. First Editing is looking for people with a doctorate degree with experience in technical editing, theses, dissertations, research, article submissions, etc.

It also mentions master’s, bachelor’s, specific editing courses, proofreading certification, publishing seminars, etc.

You must be available to work at least 25 hours per week. Living in an international location may be advantageous, especially one that serves a time zone outside of the continental North American market, especially those editors located in the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, or Hawaii.

17.  Cambridge Proofreading LLC

Cambridge Proofreading  was founded in Cambridge, England, and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It matches the clients’ documents with editors who have subject-matter expertise. 

The average pay is US$20 to US$25 per hour, paid twice monthly.

The website states that the company’s preferred candidate will have experience in academic editing or publishing, or as university faculty.

Yes. Cambridge Proofreading boasts that all its editors hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with the majority having master’s or doctoral degrees. 

Expertise in STEM, business, economics, education, and computer science would be advantageous. 

18.  WordsRU

WordsRU   was established in Australia in 2002. It provides a specialist proofreading and editing service to businesses, academics, and writers.

No. You must have at least two years of professional experience as an editor, copyeditor, or proofreader.

Yes. You must hold a master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent professional experience in any academic discipline.

WordsRU is currently in need of qualified editors who are available to work on weekends.

19.  Scribbr

With an office in the Netherlands and a team of over 500 freelancers worldwide,  Scribbr  helps over one million students per month to improve their writing. As a Scribbr proofreader and editor, you would be editing papers, detecting plagiarism, and generating citations. It offers services in ten languages!

On average, Scribbr’s editors edit 1,700 words per hour and earn from €20 to €25 per hour.

No. You must have experience editing academic texts. 

Yes. You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. 

You must be a native English speaker and be available to work for at least ten hours per week. 

To  become a Scribbr editor , you must pass a rigorous application process including a language quiz and two to five simulation orders. 

20.  Stickler

Stickler  specializes in helping academics get published in a top-tier journal, complete their PhDs, or obtain funding by providing world-class proofreading and copyediting services. 

No. You must have significant experience editing academic texts. 

You must be able to turn work of 14,000 words or less around in two to four working days (more time will be allocated for longer jobs). You must also be familiar with Harvard and APA referencing styles (as a minimum).

21.  Editana

Editana  recruits editors and proofreaders from the world’s top universities to edit academic and nonacademic texts. 

No. You must have relevant proofreading experience to apply.  

The website doesn’t specify, but it does say that they actively recruit from universities, so it’s likely you’ll need to be working toward a degree.  

You will need to fill out an application form, provide a cover letter and résumé, and take an editorial test to be considered for a position. You must also be a native-English speaker. 

FAQs about Freelance Proofreading Jobs

Whew, that was a lot of information to get at one time! You probably have a lot of questions now like

• How do I become a freelance proofreader without a degree or experience?
• Can I start my own business instead of working for proofreading and editing companies?
• How much can I earn per hour as a proofreader?

Keep reading for the answers to those questions. 

How do I become a freelance proofreader without a degree?

You probably noticed that many of the proofreading jobs above require their editors and proofreaders have a degree or even a master’s or PhD! So it is even possible to become a proofreader without a degree?

Yes, you don’t need to have a degree to start your own proofreading business. You can market your business to get your own clients without relying on proofreading companies. 

When you work with proofreading agencies, they keep a percentage of the profits—sometimes even as much as 50%! Getting your own clients means that you get to keep all the money for the project (minus transaction fees). 

Start Your Own Proofreading Business

The first step to starting your own proofreading business is making sure that you have the appropriate skills and resources. 

One course that I have personally taken and can recommend is Proofread Anywhere’s  General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course . It includes lots of worksheets and essays so you can practice your proofreading skills as well as an entire module dedicated to teaching you how to market your business to get clients.

Sign up for a  free Intro to Proofreading workshop  to learn how you can become a proofreader. 

Once you have the appropriate training, you need to gather your resources including a laptop/desktop computer, editing software, and  proofreading books and style guides . 

For more details on starting a proofreading business from home, check out my post about  how to become a proofreader without any experience . 

Can you make money proofreading?

One of the most common questions I get asked about working as a proofreader online is “Can you make money proofreading?” The answer is YES! You won’t become a millionaire by proofreading, but you can make a decent living. 

According to ZipRecruiter, a freelance proofreader in the United States can earn an  average of $51,391 per year  or $22/hour (as at August 11, 2020).

Caitlin Pyle of Proofread Anywhere  earned $43,000 a year as a part-time proofreader!

How much should I charge for proofreading per hour?

How much you can charge for proofreading depends on many factors. If you work for a proofreading agency, it will decide how much you will be paid. However, if you start your own proofreading business, you can set your own rates.

Proofreaders can charge per word, per page, per hour, or per project. It depends on the type of document you’re working on. 

Some editorial associations publish average rates that they have compiled by surveying their members. According to the  Editorial Freelancers Association  (EFA), proofreaders can charge between $0.02 and $0.029 per word or between $36 and $40 per hour for proofreading nonfiction. 

The  Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders  (CIEP) suggests a minimum hourly rate for proofreading of £25.40, and a minimum hourly rate of £29.60 for copyediting.  

I cover how much proofreaders make in more detail in this post.

Final Thoughts about Online Proofreading Jobs

I hope this post gave you lots of ideas on how to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 

Don’t forget to check out this  free proofreading class  to find out how to become a proofreader with no experience!

Not sold on proofreading? There are tons of other options out there!  Check out this list of 33 home-based business ideas!

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8 Websites for Making Money with your Proofreading Skills

• by Michelle
• October 11, 2021

Are you a writer or someone who is passionate about writing and has a great eye for grammatical errors? If this description fits you, then you can easily make money by proofreading articles. Many websites pay you to proofread their articles, for which you only need good English language skills, a knack for grammar and you’re good to go.

What is Proofreading?

Proofreading is a critical component of the writing process involving English professionals scrutinizing a written document to detect and correct mistakes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. Good writing always requires alteration and revision, and a basic aspect of this process is proofreading.

Proofreaders have one and only one objective: To ensure that a given piece of text is 100% correct in terms of grammar and vocabulary. If you believe you have the skill set to check and correct someone else’s writing then this is the right job for you.

Can I really earn money online as a Proofreader?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, there are a number of websites that are looking for expert writing professionals to help them with their client’s writing. And some of them pay really well. The amount of money you can earn out of this career depends on your skill level. Some jobs even pay up to $50 per hour to read and edit documents.

Legitimate Websites that Pay you to Proofread

Here are some of the most reliable websites where you get paid to proofread and edit text:

Scribendi is a site that provides proofreading services for essays, thesis, resumes and many other types of scripts. It hires proofreaders and editors with good qualifications and degree in any related field. You can join their team of expert editors and earn money with your language skills. You can either choose to work at their office or work as a freelancer and proofread scripts at the comfort of your home. To join their team, your proofreading speed should be of 1000 to 1500 words per hour. You can apply for a job at Scribendi by going to the jobs section and filling in the form.

PAYMENT DETAILS

Prompt is a website that provides help to students in writing their essays, specifically college essays and therefore requires individuals who are good creative writers and understand the art of essay writing to provide writing coaching to students. The task for a writer at prompt is different from proofreading as it involves creative thinking and writing skills. Prompt requires a minimum commitment of 4 hour per week. It’s a good opportunity for people who enjoy writing and are good at creating, analyzing, and bringing out the best of an essay.

Scribbr is another writing coaching service for students. It involves guiding students in writing their essays and help them become better writers by guiding them in their language skills. The website also helps students of bachelor’s, masters, and even Ph.D. in perfecting their thesis to graduate successfully. If you think you can be a good editor and mentor for students, then you can definitely work at Scribbr. The best thing about scribbr is that it allows flexibility for its’ writers. You can work from the comfort of your home and even design your own work schedule. Other than that, you can interact with a community of writers at scribbr if you need any help of any sort.

ProofreadingServices.com

As the name suggests, proofreadingservices.com proofreads various documents for clients from all around the world and recruits anyone who has a good hand at language and can efficiently help in improving a writing piece or editing it. To become a proofreader at this site, you must take their preliminary test to showcase your language aptitude. Once you become a part of their team, you can earn between $19 – $46 with flexible working hours.

Cactus global

Cactus Global is a proofreading service that hires specialist writers of diverse specializations. You can help with writing pieces of different subjects, depending on your field of study or specialization. You must have a degree in a related field to join the team at cactus global. Proofreading subjects range from science and engineering to healthcare and business. If you have a piece of good knowledge in any specific field, then you can earn at this forum. Your task will mostly consist of editing and formatting manuscripts. Like all other proofreading sites, cactus global also allows you to work from home and determine your own work hours.

Jobsforeditors.com

Jobs for editors is an editing and proofreading service that does not require you to have a degree to start earning at their platform, however it does require individuals to have impeccable English skills and are good at analyzing writing samples to point out any mistakes and suggest improvements. It also requires you to know how to use a computer and the ability to work efficiently and deliver within the time frame. Although you don’t need a degree for this job, jobs for editors highly encourages professionals and specialists to apply at their forum as a writer manager.

As a freelancer, you can work according to your ease and even signup for 1 week of training period if you are new at an editing job. Other than that, jobs for editors allow you to obtain a salary twice a month. You can apply for a job at this platform by submitting your CV.

WritingJobz

Another easy way for language experts to use their skill and earn a good amount of money. Writing jobs posts a variety of writing jobs on its’ platform and you can take up any amount of load, according to your ease to start earning. Writing jobz offers a diverse range of topics to proofread and edit. You can also write on different subjects and earn through your creativity if you enjoy writing. You can analyze science manuscripts, medicine, history and even sports manuscripts; and can provide important feedback for student essays, research papers, book reviews and help them in their work. To apply you need to take a test and fill in the form and you’re good to go!

Reedsy is a great site for professional editors, publishers, and writers to earn extra income with their highly in-demand skills. Readsy provides service to authors who are looking to publish their books and need help with the finishing touches. If you have experience in publishing or editing books, then you are a perfect fit for this platform. Reedsy is a reliable site that has received funding from the European Union and has been reviewed by BBC. The best thing about reedsy is that it delivers your profile to the right client so that you don’t have to compete for every job against a wave of other freelancers. To begin working at reedsy, create your profile, and showcase your work experience to get accepted. Besides editing, reedsy also offers jobs for designers, writers, marketers and web designers. So if you have any of those skills, then you can be a part of reedsy as well.

If you’re interested in working online as a writer, here are 10 Freelance writing websites you can join.

Related Guides

• 4 Freelancing Platforms for Scientists and PhD holders
• 9 Websites to make money as an Academic writer

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13 Online Proofreading Jobs That Pay Well

What is Proofreading?

Pros of choosing online proofreading as a career .

• You can work remotely.
• You’re in charge of your own pace and working environment, with no micromanaging supervisor around!
• You are in control of your own schedule and can fit proofreading in around your other commitments.
• You’ll work effortlessly as a proofreader if you have a keen attention to details.
• Taking up as many proofreading assignments as you like is completely up to you 
• There are many earning opportunities for newbies in proofreading.

Cons of Choosing Online Proofreading As A Career 

• Some of the sites aren’t very easy to understand and it might take you some time to figure out available projects.
• High-paying proofreading jobs only come with experience. If you’re a beginner, you’ll have to start relatively small and gain more opportunities in the working world. 
• Proofreading project deadlines are usually strict and if you take up more projects than you can deliver on time, you’ll face negative reviews and lose clients.
• If you get easily distracted while working from home, online proofreading jobs aren’t for you as they need you to be focused and pay attention to the piece you’re working on.

Are Online Proofreaders In Demand?

• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics , the demand for online proofreaders is growing every year. The businesses on the Internet are always on the rise which leads to more demand for content writers and proofreaders. 
• According to a recruiter.com research , the demand for proofreaders and copy markers is expected to go up with around 3510 new jobs by 2029.

13 Well-Paying Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners

2. ProofreadingServices.com

3. LinkedIn 

4. Polished Paper

5. Wordvice

6. CACTUS Communications

7. Get Editing Jobs

8. Proofreading Pal

9. Managed Editing

10. Book Editing

12. SmartBrief

13. Lionbridge

What Skills Do You Need To Become A Proofreader

• A strong command of the language you’re planning to work with, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• A keen eye for detail and the capacity to concentrate for extended periods of time.
• The ability to work with accuracy and speed.
• Planning, organizing and time management skills are necessary to meet project deadlines.
• Good communication skills to interact with prospective clients and for networking.
• Basic IT skills since you’ll be working from home.
• Familiarity with the methods of production and publishing of books, other printed products, and websites.

How To Prepare For A Proofreading Career?

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35 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners [$50/hr, No Degree]

Becoming an online proofreader is a job that is flexible and easy to do when you need to make cash.

Proofreading is an important part of writing. It can be done at any time and anywhere, even online, making it perfect for a stay-at-home mom, a second job, or even working from home.

Without proofreaders, where would the world be? There would be a lot of misspelled words in the world. Have you ever wondered if you would be a good proofreader? There is only one way to find out and that is to give it a try. 

Below, I’ll go into detail about how to become an online proofreader and the best companies hiring for online proofreading jobs for beginners.

As an affiliate partner of various brands and sponsored content, HerPaperRoute may earn commission on qualifying purchases. Disclaimer | Advertise With Us

Earn Money Working From Home With Online Proofreading Jobs

If you’re looking for some info fast, here are my quick picks. First, get the free training you need to start your proofreading journey.

Entry-Level Proofreading Jobs

Experienced proofreading jobs.

• Proofreading Pal
• Polished Paper

What Is Proofreading?

A proofreader ensures that written content is free from grammatical errors including spelling mistakes, typography, formatting, and syntax.

If you are new to proofreading or really don’t understand what it is, then I want to spend some time talking about it. There are many reasons to have a proofreader.

✅ Here’s a FREE workshop that teaches you everything you need to know to get started proofreading online.

Proofreading vs Copy Editing

Proofreading and copy-editing are sometimes mixed up or used interchangeably. Knowing the difference can help you when looking and applying for online proofreading jobs.

Proofreading involves examining your text to find any mistakes in grammar, style, spelling, and typographical errors. A proofreader is involved with the nitty-gritty of the text.

Editing is correcting, condensing, or changing a draft in preparation for publication. An editor provides editing services and is involved with the big picture of the document.

Are Proofreaders In Demand?

Yes, they are and the demand is increasing yearly according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics . With so many people forming online businesses, the demand keeps rising which increases the available job opportunities.

Bloggers, brands, small businesses, authors, and companies all hire proofreaders to make sure there are no typographical errors. Some foreign businesses will hire a native English-speaking proofreader to go over their website and make grammatical changes.

Pros vs Cons Of Proofreading

• Start-up costs are very low for a proofreading business compared to other businesses.
• You can work from home and the scheduling is flexible.
• Manage your own time so perfect for someone who can work well unsupervised.
• Perfect for people who are good at spotting grammatical mistakes.
• Easy to start proofreading small as a side hustle and expand later.
• High demand for proofreaders with plenty of opportunities.
• There can be tight deadlines or strict guidelines you need to follow.
• Many jobs for proofreaders may require additional education.
• Not good for someone easily distracted or who needs to be in a closely supervised position.

How Much Money Can You Make Proofreading?

According to salary.com the median salary for an online proofreader is $52,202 per year.

Keep in mind that the amount of money a proofreader makes will be dependent on how fast they work per hour. Some proofreading freelancers make anywhere from $25-$50 per hour.

It also depends on your past proofreading experience or experience in editing. The more experience and skills you have, the more money you will make per hour. 

If you work for yourself, you get to determine how much you make. If you work for someone else, they are going to determine how much you make per hour.

What Skills Do I Need To Become A Freelance Online Proofreader?

To build up a good reputation as a proofreader, you should be able to spot mistakes quickly and easily. Having excellent grammar and spelling skills is a must.

Additionally, you need to be able to slow down to find mistakes that the original writer missed. Many times our minds can read misspelled words correctly and we don’t even notice. If you rush through proofreading a document, these types of errors may slip through and your potential clients will be unhappy.

Do I Need To Have A Degree To Proofread?

If you’re doing freelance proofreading, a degree isn’t necessary. Experience and results matter more to clients who are hiring independent proofreaders.

Depending on the client, they may require an advanced degree in English or journalism if getting hired as a company employee. If you don’t have this, don’t worry.

For many clients, your track record and reputation are more than enough for them to want to hire you. You may be fine landing remote proofreading jobs simply by being skilled in the English writing process and editing rules.

Learn how you can start your own proofreading business with low startup costs.

Where To Get At-Home Proofreading Training?

Proofreading isn’t just for word nerds or English majors. Anyone can proofread and the flexibility is great for a stay-at-home mom or someone who wants to work more flexible hours.

This completely FREE workshop from Caitlyn Pyle at Proofread Anywhere is value-packed and perfect for those on the fence. The workshop helps get you started proofreading with tips on maximizing skills and where to find clients.

If you’re still unsure, check out my complete review of the Proofread Anywhere course.

Tools For The Online Proofreader

If you are going to work online as a proofreader, it may be wise to invest in some technology that will help you make the most of the time. There are many tools out there, but here are a few of my favorites:

Grammarly – Many people have started using Google Docs, which is great for Grammarly users because there is a free extension. You can use the free version or you can use the paid version. Use whatever you think will help you the best!

Learn How To Produce High-Value Content !

Spellchecker – Don’t forget to use the proofreader you have on the word processor that you’re using. Sometimes we forget to use the most basic tool on our computers that can still help us save face with an error or two!

Ginger – A proofreader tool that you can take advantage of is Ginger. This tool can help you find more advanced issues that you otherwise may have missed! 

Google Docs – This is the most common and easy way that documents are sent. It only requires a free Google Drive account. Your client can send you a link to the document that you’re able to make changes to.

Dropbox – If your client doesn’t use Google Docs, then Dropbox is probably the next most common document-sharing method. The free account is perfectly fine for getting started.

39 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners

It can sometimes seem like an endless loop of rejection when trying to break into a new field. You can’t get hired without experience but you can’t get experience without getting hired.

The following companies allow you to post your freelance proofreading services or be hired for online proofreading or editing. With online business, there’s no need to put all your eggs in one basket.

Go ahead and check out multiple proofreading avenues and job opportunities. Each business will have a different application process. Certain clients may prefer one platform over another but you won’t know that until you test it out.

Here are the best companies that hire beginner online proofreaders:

One of the first places to start with online proofreading jobs for beginners is UpWork . I enjoy telling people about this online work-from-home platform because it’s a place for people of all types of experiences. 

Head over to Upwork.com to apply for beginner editing positions. Upwork is a really great place to start your work-from-home journey, especially your proofreading journey. 

Want to find freelance proofreading jobs for a beginner? Fiverr.com may be one of your first stops. This is a website that has been around for a few years. However, it’s for proofreaders of all types. 

Signing up for Fiverr means you can sell your proofreading services and make a small amount of cash at first. As time goes on, you’ll be able to earn more money! 

3. Lionbridge

Are you looking for a full-time online proofreading job? Lionbridge is a great place to start. Lionbridge offers several different types of work-from-home jobs, but one of their most popular ones is proofreading.

While you do need a little experience to get started, Lionbridge has a great reputation and this may be a good place for you to start. If you prove you can do well with various proofreading tasks such as checking for spelling errors, compositional errors, and correct grammar mistakes, you can earn decent money.

4. ProofreadingServices.com

When you want to want to become a proofreader, you may not know where to start. ProofreadingServices.com is a great starting point for proofreaders.

When you work with this company, you get a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and the ability to connect with other proofreaders. 

5. Start Your Own Business

I think one of the best online proofreading jobs for beginners is starting your own proofreading business . You can make it as simple as starting a website or as complex as starting a Facebook page.

Starting your own Freelance proofreading business means you can work when you want and also take on a small number of clients to get experience. Some would say that owning your own business is one of the best online proofreading jobs for beginners since it has a low startup cost. 

6. Craigslist

Believe it not, but Craigslist has gotten a lot more stable in the job department. If you head to Craiglist in any city and look in the “writing and editing” section, you may be able to find many gigs that you can apply for! 

I love Craigslist because you can find opportunities that aren’t boring. You may be able to find private clients this way, which is always fun! Just remember that working from home never costs money and you should never have to pay to work from home. 

Another online place to look for proofreading jobs is Guru.com . Whether you have zero experience or several months of experience, you may be able to find a proofreading gig on this platform.

This is a platform that has been around forever and you may just find success with it. 

A lot of people would compare Guru.com to Fiverr, but I think any platform can be good for you if you take the time to make it work in your favor. Fill out the profile correctly and don’t stop until you find a groove! 

8. LinkedIn

Although LinkedIn is one of those places that is hard to remember still exists, it does and it’s an awesome place to find proofreading jobs.

When it comes to LinkedIn, there are a lot of jobs and you may not get lucky at first. Keep trying and applying and in no time, you’ll land your first proofreading job! 

9. Freelancer

Freelancer is a site very similar to UpWork since it’s a freelance marketplace. It’s open to a variety of freelancers, not solely proofreaders.

After you fill out your profile, you can bid on posted jobs that people are trying to hire for.

10. SmartBrief

SmartBrief is a digital media publisher that targets business news and industry information. Frequently check their job openings for a work-from-home editor and proofreading jobs that pay around $15/hr.

11. Polished Paper

Polished Paper is for more experienced proofreaders and they pay accordingly. To sign up, fill out their application and take the 35-question test.

It sounds a little intense but they pride themselves on first-class service. They want to make sure you can catch some of the tougher errors that less experienced proofreaders may miss.

12. Scribbr

Scribbr makes all interested exceptional editors take an initial language quiz. If you pass, they’ll then look over your CV to determine whether you’d be a good fit for them.

If they think you’re a good fit, you’ll be invited to the Scribbr Academy where you’ll edit 2-5 simulation orders. Scribbr will critique your proofreading and give you tips.

Once you pass the academy, you’ll be a qualified Scribbr editor and get paid.

13. Domainite

Domainite is an option for the true beginner proofreader but be warned, they are one of the lowest paid. It’s perfect for gaining experience if you’re having trouble landing clients.

To get accepted as a freelancer, you’ll need to fill out their application including sample letters to show off your work.

14. Edit911

Edit911 only hires people with a Ph.D., published scholars, teachers, or book editors with verifiable experience.

The qualifications are quite high but if you meet their qualifications and are looking to enter the freelance proofreading world, this is a great option.

15. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a site that has freelance jobs in many specialties including copy editing, website proofreading, and other freelance editing jobs that allow you to type from home. Do a general search for “online proofreading” in order to find who is looking to hire.

Often, you don’t need to narrow down the job postings by location since you can do them remotely from home.

16. ClickWorker

Clickworker uses crowdsourcing for the completion of micro tasks for their clients. Every clickworker is an independent contractor who can log in and look at the available jobs.

These tasks are generally broken into smaller projects and part of a larger project. They won’t take as long as a huge proofreading job so it’s great for beginners to get their feet wet.

To become a Clickworker proofreader, you first have to start as a author to gain experience. Then after completing a few text creation jobs, you’re eligible to take the proofreading assessment test. If you pass, you’ll be able to access the available proofreading jobs.

17. Wordvice

Wordvice offers both proofreading and editing services. They ask that you’ve completed a graduate program but they do offer remote, part-time work.

They have a lot of ESL (english as a second language) clients worldwide who are looking for native english proofreaders. The application will have you complete an editing sample and they’ll notify you by email whether you’ve been accepted.

18. OneSpace

OneSpace will post their jobs as they become available. Some are available as remote work whereas others are not so it’s important to read the job description to determine which.

19. CACTUS Communications

CACTUS Communications offers proofreading jobs either freelance or full-time. They specialize in specific proofreading topics and ask that you have a degree in the field you’d be editing in.

Some of the fields include medical, biology, molecular, physical sciences, and more. Check their website to see what they’re currently hiring for.

20. EditFast

On EditFast , you create a profile and resume in their system. Clients looking to hire a proofreader will look at your samples and decide whether or not to pick you.

They are mainly looking for people familiar with the proofreading and editing process who can proof business papers with a fairly fast turnaround.

One thing to note is that all communication must go through the EditFast system and EditFast keeps 40% of the final total project price.

21. Gramlee

Gramlee says they are always looking for proofreaders to hire. They are a general proofreading company so it could be a wide variety of categories.

Applying is a simple process. Answer a few questions on the Employee Application form and they’ll get back to you.

22. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media offers services for authors to have their books edited and reviewed. They often have job listings for book reviewers or at-home editors for their magazine.

23. Scribe Media

You can join Scribe Media (formerly Book in a Box) as a full-time employee or a freelancer. On their website, you can explore what each path entails to determine which would work best for you.

They are mainly hiring freelance editors for book editing so if book editing is your interest, this is a good company to follow. If they don’t have any open positions currently, join their email list and they’ll let you know when more open up.

24. Get Editing Jobs

This is a community hub for anyone searching for help with their text. Get Editing Jobs includes editing, proofreading, and specialty writing.

Since this is a freelance jobs directory, you’ll have to use the search bar to find proofreading jobs to apply for. Many of the jobs are virtual but some companies are looking for in-person permanent hires too.

25. Proofreading Pal

The average pay for a Proofreading Pal editor is between $500 to $3000 per month. You can even do this proofreading job while still in college!

They are looking to hire current graduate and post-graduate college students who have a GPA of 3.5 and higher. Alternatively, they’re also looking for proofreaders and exceptional editors with a graduate degree and 5 years of experience.

So if you’re in a graduate degree program or have a university degree, check them out. You need to be able to follow style guides, including those for academic papers.

Before you get started, you’ll first need to take a 20-minute proofreading test.

26. Writer’s Job Shop

Writer’s Job Shop is a job marketplace for proofreaders and other writing freelancers. They’re always looking to add additional proofreaders and essay editors to their team.

They require that you have a native-level grasp of the english language and a degree in any field before applying.

27. American Journal Experts

American Journal Expert’s jobs are topic-specific and updated frequently. You can do them from anywhere since they’re all remote.

All positions are for independent contractors. The application is straightforward and can be auto-filled using Indeed if you already have a job profile with them.

28. Writer’s Relief

Writer’s Relief helps creative writers get published. Authors submit their writing and Writer’s Relief proofreaders check over their submissions.

It’s a simple application but they only accept a very small percentage of applicants.

29. Managed Editing

Managed Editing hires independent contractors who have a degree and a few years of relevant editing experience or editing skills. They offer editorial services and publication production.

Their application asks what subject matter you have proven proofreading skills in. They may follow up by asking for examples of your work or give you a test on the topic.

30. MediaBistro

MediaBistro is a hub for all media-related jobs from marketing, sales, design, and writing/editing. Use the search function to find jobs in the proofreading field.

One perk is that MediaBistro lets you sign up for job alerts for certain keywords. You’ll get notified by email if a new job shows up in the proofreading sector after you set up those alerts.

31. OneSpace Freelancers

OnceSpace Freelancers is a job marketplace specifically for freelancers. It’s a place to check in periodically to see if they have any freelance proofreading jobs available.

You can also submit your application to them and they’ll keep in contact if they have any jobs that fit your skillset.

Reedsy works mainly with authors and writers. Once you sign up, you’ll create a profile and the Reedsy algorithm will pair you with clients it thinks you’ll be a good fit for.

There are over 100,000 people in the marketplace and many are first-time authors looking to self-publish their books. The community is free to join and then you get to keep 90% of your commission while Reedsy takes 10%.

33. Writing Jobz

Writing Jobz is one of the best marketplaces for online proofreaders because it’s all they focus on. They specialize in academic proofreading, academic editing, proofreading articles for online blogs and news sources, and book proofreading.

You start by taking a language test, then you can build up a client database as you take on more and more projects. As a proofreader, you can earn up to $11 per page.

34. Scribendi

Scribendi is a proofreading platform perfect for someone who has a college degree. They allow you to create your own schedule working from home and the pay is good.

Other qualifiers are that they want native English speakers, at least 3 years of editing/proofreading experience, and a speed of 1,000 to 1,500 words per hour.

35. R3ciprocity

R3ciprocity , pronounced “reciprocity”, is a proofreading and editing platform based on credits. After you sign up, you can proofread other’s work and earn credits. You can use these credits to get your own work proofread.

This is great for authors or someone who wants a reciprocal proofreading situation. It can also earn money though. If you earn credits, you can cash them out instead of using them to proofread items of your own.

36. Proofreading Services

Proofreading Services is great for beginners all the way to expert proofreaders who are looking for flexible typing work from home. If you’re looking for remote proofreading jobs, they offer remote telework proofreading where you can earn between $19 to $46 an hour depending on the job.

Projects with more urgent deadlines or that require specialized knowledge will pay higher as well as those with a quick turnaround time.

37. Contenta

Contenta calls itself the #1 site for freelancers and remote writers. After you join as a freelance proofreader, the website acts as a job board where companies looking for freelance proofreaders can post jobs.

This is a membership site with a monthly fee which can be both beneficial and detrimental. A paid job board will likely have more serious clients looking for remote proofreaders and editors so the jobs posted may be of higher quality.

The downside is that when you’re just starting out, you need to weigh whether a monthly cost is worth it.

38. Book Editing Associates

Book Editing Associates is for intermediate and higher proofreaders. They especially want someone with experience in the self-published book field and will give you a proofreading and copyediting test you need to pass.

A few other things to note for Book Editing Associates is that they’re looking for proofreaders from time to time who are doing this as their main job. You need to be completely freelance and not only do this as a side hustle or have a second job.

They’ll also want to see examples of self-published books you’ve edited and proofread so this is a good company to apply to after you have over 5 years of experience with book proofreading.

39. ProofreadNOW

ProofreadNOW is for expert or advanced proofreaders, editors, copyeditors, or translators, with over 5 years of experience. They’re not always hiring but they do have a proofreading employment newsletter you can join to get notified when they are.

Many of their professional proofreaders, writers, and editors specialize in fields such as finance, medical, technology, and law. They also may have knowledge of Spanish since Spanish document translation is offered.

How To Get An Online Proofreader Job

Now that you know all of the jobs available and companies hiring skilled proofreaders, you may be wondering how to land an online proofreading job.

Just like with any job, it will take some effort in order to land a proofreading job as a beginner. Here are a few ways to make yourself more desirable:

• On rating sites, like Fiverr , offer your first few clients a discount in exchange for an honest review in order to get initial business.
• I recommend this FREE online workshop .
• Don’t forget about Facebook Groups.
• Consider courtroom transcript proofreading to diversify your talents.
• Promote, promote, promote!

If you’re not quite sure what to search for when looking for proofreading jobs, here are the most common terms to search for:

• Proofreading independent contractor
• Freelance proofreader
• Proofreading positions
• Beginner proofreading jobs
• Online proofreading jobs
• Remote proofreader
• Copy editing
• Editing jobs
• Book editing
• Remote editor
• Academic editor
• Web site proofreading
• Book proofreader
• Online typing jobs
• Typewriting jobs

Currently, there aren’t any certifications required to become a proofreader. Your finished work and happy clients are what promote you.

Proofreading Jobs Overview

Proofreading is a great job for someone who will take the time to learn proper grammar and produce high-quality content. It doesn’t matter if you’re a proofreading beginner as long as your results are good.

Since most proofreading jobs can be done online and at home, stay-at-home moms can make the jobs fit their free time. Early morning or late night work hours don’t matter since you’re your own boss and not tethered to traditional business time.

If you’re an online proofreader, let me know in the comments how you like it. Did it give you the freedom you were looking for?

Related Articles:

• Ultimate List Of Jobs for Stay-At-Home Moms
• Become A Social Media Manager With No Experience
• Best Apps To Sell Your Phone Photos For Extra Cash

Chelsea Clarke is a Business Intermediary, Investor, and Educator. As the founder of HerPaperRoute, Chelsea provides entrepreneurs with the tools they need to create an optimum lifestyle design that balances their entrepreneurial pursuits with marketing strategy, growth mindset, and success habits for mental wellness. Featured in Business Insider, MSN, Tech Times and more, Chelsea mentors her community of more than 100,000 business owners on how to build profitable, sustainable digital companies.

How to work with Chelsea: DM me the word blogstart on Instagram to get access to my new private training for creators, for $0!

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41 comments.

I so appreciate this information you have provided here =)) More blessings your way.

This is just to thank you for what you have taught us in this informative article. I am a senior lady of 68 y.o., and can’t do physical work anymore. I did proofreading in papers before, with a printing press..but just don’t know how to do it online..and the tools to use. Proofreading is something that we seniors can still do effectively. This is a great help also to augment income. God bless you.

Thank you for the information you gave out on proofreading jobs. I longed to join the job but really confused about how I can get started, now I know what to do, thank you.

Thank you for the information, it helped a lot. I am a young woman with no experience and I am eager to learn anything to start my career. I am interested in editing and proofreading.

Thank you so much, Steffa. You have certainly given me a lot of information and encouragement so I can do well in proofreading jobs. I love reading and I easily point out spelling errors. Thank you!

Thank you for your informative article. I am a teacher of English and presently teaching in a government school. I have 34 years of experience and would like to work as a proofreader.

I found your atrtle to be very informative. I am searching for proofreading work, and your article is a great resource to get me started.

Very generous in providing jobseekers all the information they need. Thank you for helping others

Your effort is great especially for beginners like me. I have been wondering how to get an opportunity in proofreading. with your insight in mind, I am good to go!

Steffa thank you for your detailed account of proofreading. Frankly what I need is a job online proofreading or editing articles, manuscripts, assignments, or books.

Greetings Steffa, Thank you for a very informative and easy-to-follow article. I read every word and learned a great deal. I have to admit I often skim in these type of articles; as they are often too long and repetitive. This however was awesome. I am so excited! I will be back for your course and more! Val

Thank you so much for this post. It was very encouraging. So many jobs seem overwhelming and complicated but you have worded this in a way that anyone willing to put work in can do it. My only real editing is for my own podcasts but I definitely am looking to get into proofreading and will try your free course. Thanks again. Mike

Thank you for putting this together! I am most assuredly going to follow up. I have been in healthcare for over 20 years, but I have a BS that includes secondary education training, and I am looking to get out of nursing. I was always an English nerd at heart and read voraciously. Thanks again!

Hello Steffa, I really appreciate your write up. It actually covered all the areas I wanted as a beginner proofreader. Thx a lot. Cheers, and keep up the good work.

Thank you, Steffa! I am new to proofreading. I just graduated from a proofreading course and didn’t really know where to start! Your article has rectified that!

Thank you very much for this informative article. I appreciate it!

Hi, I have read everything on this website and appreciate the resourceful and useful information it contains.

Thank you, so much.

Hi Steffa, What you have here is very important for people like me who are just coming into freelance proofreading. Many thanks for making this information available.

Even with a degree, you might have to compete on Fiverr with thousands of other proofreading offers. Unless you have the right degree and the necessary experience, then it’s a totally different situation.

Thank for your article. I was a paralegal for 30 years but now I am on disability. I can’t do a lot physically anymore but this is something I can definitely do and it would be a great help to add to my income. I’m excited and I’m going to take the free seminar. I figure that after years of being an avid reader and always catching errors in the books I read and, after years of creating, proofing and editing legal documents, this would be a fun thing to do. I wasn’t sure where to even begin but you helped me figure it all out and gave me the avenues I need to make it a possibility. Thank you so very much!

Thanks so much for this valuable information. I got this while searching for online jobs to support my family financially. I have twenty years of work experience as an English teacher. Presently my employer (State Government) has not been paying salaries regularly.

Hello Steffa. Sorry, I found a couple of typos in your article. One example: “…good way…” instead of “…good pay…”. I wasn’t “proofing” the article, I just happened to notice them. But, beyond that, thank you so much for all of the useful information! I will be looking into the free course you suggest and following up with some of companies you’ve profiled. Very nice work! Thanks again.

Hi Gary, I always appreciate help finding typos since I have so many articles and the work is never done! I’m glad you found the information helpful. I’d love to hear back about your thoughts on the course and where you ended up finding a proofreading job.

Hi Steffa Much respect! This information is simple, clear and informative. It is all very helpful to a beginner with zero proofreading/editing experience, and I appreciate the work you put into research. Thank you.

You’re very welcome Rabia. 🙂

There is a wealth of information here. Thank you so much!

Hello! You have a very informative post, thank you! I noticed a typo in point 4 talking about Proofreadingservices.com. Do I pass the test? 😉

l love this. You made me smile.

Thank you for a great post. It is filled with excellent information.

Either way, it made me smile.

Thank you again for all of the wonderful and useful information all in one place.

There are a few websites where you say they require samples of your work or sample letters. Can you explain what they mean by this? Would it be something that you have written that has been published or simply that you have proofread? I have proofread everything from ad copy to menu listings to in print interviews – would I include that? I apologize, I’m just not clear on what a “sample letter” would be as far as proofreading is concerned. Thank you!

Hi Danielle, A proofreading sample letter would mean that they’d like to see the original document but with all the notations and changes that you did. Some programs have an edit mode that will show all of your changes in red. The right-hand side of the document would include notations for why you formated it this way. Example: No numbering, indented paragraph, etc. It’s a marked-up document with everything that needs to change as if you took a red pen to it.

Hope this helps! Steffa

Hey this is good information. Unfortunately I cant access internet from where I stay. Thanks anyway.

Thank you for the time you took to put this information out there. I hope you inspire others to do the same.

Thank you, Evelyn! I know it’s hard to find places that are hiring and am always trying to help.

Hi! Your primer of these topics is comprehensive. It is the first helpful and by far the easiest to understand. While other sites I visited each seem a jigsaw puzzle, yours give a very clear picture of what is needed to be done, seminars to read, sites to visit, and what to reasonably expect for a newbie like me. Thank you very much!

Thank you so much.

You’re very welcome! 🙂

Hi Steffa, Thanks for posting this article, it is really informative & to the point, most of the time we come across something like this & don’t spare a minute to appreciate. This post is very nicely curated & covers all that is required for someone unfamiliar like me, was searching to do something to augment my income as a freelancer & this article of your’s is certainly going to help. Thanks!!

Hello Steffa.. Thank you so much for providing such wonderful information.. Your efforts are highly appreciated.. Thanking you once again.. b.k. gupta

I have 25 years of experience of working in banks. I am interested to take proofreading as a second profession. The reason being I am good at spotting errors in writing, effortlessly. All my life I lived and worked in Bangladesh. But I traveled widely across the world. And I love to read books, newspapers, magazines, etc. I am serious to give it a try and I am confident I will excel in it over time.

Hi Abdul, You seem like you’d be a good candidate for proofreading. I don’t hire for proofreading myself but the companies I listed do. I definitely suggest looking at the list and trying to apply for open positions.

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7 Steps to Becoming a Highly-Paid Freelance Proofreader Online

R.J. Weiss, CFP®

• Updated October 03, 2020

This is a seven-step guide that shows you how to become a freelance proofreader online — including some important tips on how to be a good one.

It also runs down the tools of the trade that you’ll need to master, and lists the best place to find proofreading jobs.

Table of Contents

The Basics of Proofreading

Proofreading is an essential part of turning out good writing, no matter the subject matter or genre. A piece of writing riddled with mistakes won’t have much credibility with readers.

What Proofreaders Do

A proofreader reads text looking for spelling, grammatical and typographical mistakes.

Some people think proofreading and copyediting are the same, but they’re not. A copyeditor makes changes that improve the accuracy and readability of the text, so that all of the information is factual and the writing style is pleasing to readers.

Conversely, a proofreader’s primary job is to make sure there are no errors on the page (like misspelled words, extra spaces or incorrect apostrophes).

A common career path for proofreaders in a corporate setting is to use their experience gained in proofreading to become a copy editor.

When working for smaller businesses, especially in a freelance role, some clients are unwilling to hire both a proofreader and a copyeditor and will rely on you to do some copy editing work as well. So be sure to understand each client’s expectations.

Types of Proofreading Jobs

• Books and e-books : With the advent of self-publishing, anyone can write and publish a book. These people don’t have a publishing house that provides proofreading services, so they look to freelancing proofreaders to do the job for them.
• Blog posts : There are millions of blogs and tens of millions of blog posts. Many content creators are single-person operations, where the bloggers already wear a lot of hats. Hiring a proofreader allows them to wear one fewer.
• Marketing content : Even the smallest of small businesses produce marketing content, but they don’t have enough work to have a full-time proofreader on staff. So small businesses are a good target for part-time proofreading freelancers.
• Technical content : This is where choosing a niche comes in. Technical content is not a good place for general proofreading, but it is a good place for someone who specializes in a particular topic.
• Academic papers : College students are a great source of work for proofreaders. Graduate students often hire freelancers to help them ensure their dissertations are error-free.

Proofreading Skills You Need

A good proofreader has an eye for small mistakes that most people would pass over, plus a complete grasp of the English language (including spelling, grammar and punctuation).

There are proofreading software programs out there, but none of them can catch everything because the English language and the various rules and standards around it are so numerous and complex.

Proofreading is one field where humans will never be replaced entirely by technology.

How Much You Can Make

As you start your career, you probably won’t make a lot. But as you gain experience, you can start charging more. On average, proofreaders earn around $25 per hour.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the mean wage for proofreaders ranges from $10.91 to $29.56 per hour.  

How to Become a Proofreader – A Seven-Step Guide

Becoming a proofreader is easier than you might think. In fact, if you’re motivated, it’s possible to read this guide today and have your first client on contract by the same time tomorrow.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make that a reality.

Step #1: Identify Your Strengths and Selling Points

While you don’t need years of experience to become a freelance proofreader, a lack of references, testimonials and feedback means that you will  need to convince potential clients that you’re up for the job.

So it’s important to begin this process by thinking about what you have in your background that can help build that confidence. Maybe you have an English degree, edited corporate documents in your day job, or served as the editor for your high school or college newspaper or yearbook. All of these are perfectly sufficient for getting entry-level work.

Think about it like this…

If you’ve spent your career working as a nurse or a salesman, your general professional experience is irrelevant to potential clients. The fact that you were a motivated, dependable employee doesn’t say anything about your ability to spot and fix misplaced commas.

So in cases like this, you need to drill down a little deeper. For example, if you’ve worked as a nurse, you could explain how part of your job included carefully reviewing and correcting medical notes and transcripts, where any errors could have catastrophic effects on patients.

If you’ve worked in sales, you could explain that you were responsible for reviewing all of your company’s marketing materials prior to publication.

Do these examples seem like a stretch? Maybe, but keep in mind that you only need to sell yourself this way to your first couple of clients. Once you have a couple of projects under your belt, you will be a proofreader — and your previous work won’t even matter.

Key Takeaway : Link your background to your ability to be an effective proofreader — even if that requires thinking creatively about your skills and experience. For more tactical steps to position yourself as a first-time freelancer, see our guide on how to start freelancing .

Step #2: Build a Compelling Online Profile

Clients want to work with real people whose real names they know, and who have active online profiles. That means they’re going to Google you and base their hiring decisions, at least in part, on what they find.

So at the base level, just give up on the idea that you can do this work anonymously. If you don’t use your real name and photo, it will be much harder to get clients and you’ll earn less money.

More specifically, it’s crucial to make sure that all of your social media accounts send the signal that you’re a professional proofreader who can be trusted to deliver accurate results.

For most people, that means making changes to your online profiles (primarily LinkedIn) to highlight the strengths and selling points you identified in Step #1.

Key Takeaway : Use your social profiles to send the signal that you’re a professional proofreader who is actively engaged in the field. For more strategies on getting jobs with no experience, see our guide on how to write a resume with no experience (which includes a free template you can use to update your own resume, and in turn, your social profiles).

Step #3: Get the Tools You Need for the Job

Like any profession, proofreading has tools of the trade that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with and have access to. The most important of these are style guides, which set specific rules for usage and punctuation within fields and industries.

For example, most newspapers adhere to Associated Press (AP) style, while most book publishers use the Chicago Manual of Style.

Why does this matter?

As a proofreader, your job is to obsess over details. And that means knowing things like whether “em dashes” (like the ones below) should have spaces around them.

• This is correct in AP style: The brown fox — who was very quick — jumped over the fence.
• This is correct in Chicago style: The brown fox—who was very quick—jumped over the fence.

Now, if you’re like most new proofreaders, you probably just said to yourself something along the lines of, “Oh my God, I’ve never considered something like that before, so maybe this isn’t for me.”

Take a deep breath! You don’t need to memorize the style guides (at least not when you’re first starting out). You just need to understand the kinds of things to look up.

However, that’s why it’s a good idea to invest in the style guides (which are relatively cheap) early on in your proofreading journey. (You can also find the answers to many common questions — but not all of them — online.)

These are the most common style guides:

• American Psychological Association (APA) : Used in the social sciences (and some hard sciences).
• Associated Press (AP) : Used in journalism.
• Chicago Manual of Style : Used in the U.S. publishing industry.
• Council of Science Editors : Used in biology and natural sciences.
• Modern Language Association (MLA) : Used in the humanities.

Key Takeaway : You’ll deliver better work (and get better feedback) if you have access to the appropriate style guides.

Step #4: Brush up on the Basics of the Trade

While there’s no need to commit each style guide to memory, you do need to be familiar with the basics of each and stay current on the latest updates.

Some of the most common errors you’ll revise as a proofreader are things like serial commas, the number of spaces after periods, basic formatting and the hyphenation of compound words. These corrections vary slightly depending on the client’s preferred style guide, and the rules can change over time.

For example, AP style used to mandate the use of “percent” instead of the symbol. But recently, the rules changed to mandate the use of “%” instead of the word.

Many clients won’t follow or have a preferred style guide, so they’ll defer to you. You should get to know each well enough to decide which you prefer to work in.

Remember, it’s not just about your current client’s satisfaction; future clients may ask for samples of your work, and while the blogger who gave you your first proofreading job might not care if every detail adheres to a particular style guide, better-paying clients absolutely will — and your samples need to show that you know what you’re doing.

Key Takeaway : Follow the major style guides on Twitter and Facebook, and pay attention to announcements and changes.

Step #5: Identify Niches Where You Have a Competitive Advantage

In Step #1, we talked about identifying the parts of your background that will make you attractive as a proofreader — the skills and experience that show clients you can be trusted to correct their grammar and punctuation.

But when it comes to finding actual proofreading jobs, you want to circle back to your prior work history.

Because while your experience as a nurse is irrelevant when it comes to your proofreading ability, it makes you dramatically more attractive to clients who have health and wellness content that needs to be checked.

Everything that’s published exists within a niche, and chances are you have expertise in one or more of them. So the key is to think about where you can add value compared to other proofreaders, and then align your job search accordingly.

If you have a nursing background but spend time targeting proofreading jobs in the personal finance niche, you will:

• Have a harder time getting hired.
• Command a lower rate.
• Work slower, further reducing your rate on a per-hour basis.

There’s demand for proofreaders in virtually every niche imaginable, so don’t worry if you think you don’t have marketable expertise.

Key Takeaway : Targeting niches where you have domain expertise can help you overcome a lack of proofreading experience. See our step-by-step guide on how to choose a freelancing niche to learn more. 

Step #6: Target the Right Kind of Clients

When you’re new to the proofreading business, the feedback clients provide and post on your profile is absolutely critical for getting future work. If your first project garners a poor review, your proofreading career can be over before it begins.

This is especially true on job boards like Upwork and Fiverr, where feedback is everything. 

Fiverr and Upwork are two of the largest marketplaces for freelance proofreading jobs. Get a sense of which platform is right for you in our guide to Fiverr vs. Upwork .

That’s why it’s important to be choosy about your clients.

I don’t have to tell you this, but not everyone is reasonable. Clients don’t always provide clear instructions, set clear expectations, or evaluate your work fairly.

And often, clients don’t understand how online feedback systems work, perhaps thinking that a 4.5/5 rating is “great” without realizing that a freelancer can get kicked off a platform for falling below a 4.8 average.

Once you’ve had 50 clients, a few bad reviews will amount to a drop in the bucket. But your first two or three are the only things people will see — so they have to be good.

Before accepting a project, look at the feedback the client has left for others. Are they overly critical? Do they leave nasty reviews?

And look for feedback on the client from other freelancers. Does the client fail to clearly communicate what they want? Are they difficult to get in touch with?

There are plenty of jobs available, so don’t let your eagerness lead you into a situation that will hurt your future prospects.

Key Takeaway : A negative review on your first project can derail your proofreading career, so be selective about who you work with when you’re just starting out. See our articles on getting started on Fiverr and getting your first client on Upwork to learn more about how to succeed on these platforms.

Step #7: Deliver Perfection on Your First Project

As discussed above, your ability to make money as a proofreader is largely dependent on the success of your first project. That first client can leave you glowing feedback and refer you to others, or they can be brutally honest about the flaws in the work you deliver.

Everyone makes mistakes in their job — even when their job is catching mistakes! But your first project has to be absolutely perfect. Read it 10 times before submitting it to the client. Do whatever it takes to make sure there is nothing that can be criticized.

Key Takeaway : You don’t have to be perfect forever. But you do have to be perfect on this project.

Five Tips for Becoming a Better  Proofreader

Like any online job , there are some tricks of the trade that will help you improve your proofing skills and land more work.

Tip #1. Do Your Final Read With Pen and Paper

The vast majority of your proofing will be done on a computer, and you should do multiple read-throughs of every project.

But the final read should be done the old-fashioned way. Print out every word of your project on paper and proof it with a red pen.

Our brains process language slightly differently when it’s on a page, so this method will help you catch mistakes that you missed on screen.

Tip #2. Do Your First and Last Reads on Different Days

Even if a project is fairly small and straightforward, and you can turn it around in a single day, always stretch it to at least two days.

When you read something twice in a row, your brain will start anticipating the next words and that anticipation can cause you to gloss over mistakes. To avoid this, do your first and last read on two different days.

Tip #3. Read the Text Out Loud

The final read of the project should be from the printed copy and done out loud.

You might feel a bit silly at first, but reading the text out loud uses a slightly different part of your brain than reading silently, which means you’ll catch mistakes the “silent reading” part of your brain skipped over.

Tip #4. Work From the Bottom Up

The first read of a project should be in the order the text was written. While part of your job is to catch things like grammatical errors and spelling errors, part of it is perfunctory copyediting — making sure that what you’re reading makes sense.

But one of your reads should be from the bottom up, starting with the beginning of the last paragraph and moving in reverse order. When you read sequentially, you can become absorbed in the content and the mistakes you’re looking for can become less obvious.

Tip #5. Limit Your Number of Words Per Day

Being a proofreader isn’t physically demanding, but it is mentally demanding. If you try to do too much in a single sitting or in one day, your accuracy will decline as your brain becomes fatigued.

Monitor yourself closely until you can pinpoint at how many words your accuracy starts to falter, and make that number your cut-off point for that sitting or that day.

The Tools of The Trade

Every good proofreader has a tool bag that should include the following items, most of which are free or relatively inexpensive.

As you peruse this list, you may think you already know how to use each of these — but you should still take a few minutes to research their features in detail, as many have hidden capabilities that aren’t utilized by the everyday user.

Google Docs

Many clients prefer to work in Google Docs because it’s free, user-friendly, and has a lot of tools that are helpful when two or more people are working on a project together — such as the ability to highlight and comment on a specific segment of text.

Microsoft Word also has these features, but they’re a little bit more complicated to leverage.

Microsoft Word

There are still a few holdouts who use Microsoft Word rather than Google Docs. Word is more complicated, but has a fuller set of proofing features, such as Track Changes — an editing option that allows you to keep track of revisions made to the original document.

Before starting as a proofreader, make sure you’re familiar with all of the features under the “Review” tab in Word — they’re not all self-explanatory, and you may need to refer to help articles to get to know how they work.

Grammarly Premium

Grammarly Premium is an online app, available by monthly or annual subscription, that automatically scans documents for the kinds of mistakes a proofreader is looking for.

It really is indispensable for this kind of work and worth every penny. Like any similar program, it isn’t foolproof and has its annoying quirks — but it’s one more way to do a quick scan for any errors you missed.

Hemmingway App

The power of Hemingway’s writing was his ability to write short, concise sentences that packed a punch.

The Hemingway App works on that principle. It can help you shorten unnecessary passages and revise language that makes a text unnecessarily difficult to read. While the app is more of a copyediting app than a proofreading one, it will be useful if you have clients that expect you to do some copyediting as well.

Where to Find Proofreading Jobs

While we keep a complete database of online proofreading jobs , here’s a shorter list to help you get started.

Upwork is the biggest freelancing site out there. It has posts for thousands of jobs, including plenty of proofreading jobs. That does mean you face a lot of competition though, so remember to choose a niche and bid low if you don’t have much experience.

You can see feedback on the clients, as well as feedback they have left, so you can get a sense of how good or bad a client will be to work with.

Related : I wrote an in-depth article about getting your first job on Upwork .

On Fiverr, the clients come to you. You create a profile and post an offer (called a “gig”) along the lines of, “I will proofread 500 words for $25.” Then, clients simply “purchase” the gig and send you their work.

You may be able to get work faster on Fiverr than Upwork, but you can’t choose the clients — which means you may have to deal with some difficult people. Additionally, the pay for projects on Fiverr is typically a bit less than on Upwork.

#3. FlexJobs

If you’re looking to make proofreading a full-time career rather than a side hustle, FlexJobs can be a good option. Each of the postings has been vetted, so you don’t need to worry about being scammed, and many posts tend to be long-term projects or jobs with established corporations that can be done remotely.

Note : Learn more about the site and how it works in our detailed FlexJobs review .

#4. Content Agencies

Content agencies hire for all manner of jobs, including proofreading, editing and writing. An agency does the legwork for clients who need people to fill these positions, typically on a project-by-project basis. Some agencies that hire include Proofreading Pal, Proofreading Services, and Scribendi.

Frequently Asked Questions About Proofreading

There are no certification requirements to work as a proofreader. Some colleges and institutions, such as New York University , do offer certificates in proofreading — but these are expensive, and only necessary if you’re interested in working for a newspaper or publishing house.

No, it doesn’t! While you can make a solid living as a proofreader — perhaps up to six figures in some cases — there’s an upside limit to how much you can earn. The reason for that is simple: there’s a limit to how much value even the best proofreader in the world can bring to the table. At some point, the text is perfect, and no matter how skilled you are, you’re not going to make it any better. If you want a freelance opportunity with more upside, pair your proofreading with writing and editing — two fields in which the amount of value you can add is much higher.

The work can be boring. And even if you like to read , it can be mentally exhausting. Professional proofreaders may go over 10,000 or 20,000 words in a day, paying excruciatingly careful attention to every letter and punctuation mark.

How to Become a Proofreader: Summary & Final Thoughts

Proofreading is a great field to get into if you have the skills because it’s so flexible. You can do it part-time or full-time, and it’s one of the best overall ways to make money from home .

There’s a lot of work available, which means you can start your own business as a proofreader. Plus, the bar for entry is low, as you don’t need a college degree or years of experience to start landing clients.

If you’re good, you can build long-term relationships with clients because most people who need a proofreader will have ongoing work.

And on top of all this, it pays relatively well.

If all of that sounds appealing to you, proofreading might be the ideal career.

10 Comments

Awesome information! I am so interested in getting involved in a career of proofreading and editing. I cannot believe I have never seen or heard of this career. This is something I have always been very good at. I am also an excellent speller. Thank you for all of the great information.

This is a great. My passion in writing and reading has been on a high level. I have always been keen on how I write ensuring I check on my grammar and spelling so well. I have engaged myself in competitive writing and this has sharpened me so much.

Looking forward to share out my knowledge on creative writing.

Wonderful. Could help lots of people out. More to do with this as I have been reading for the best part of my life. Looking to do some online jobs with this.

Wow! I have never thought I would be able to think of proofreading as a career opportunity. I love reading and on some platforms I have wished I could just correct the mistakes. I was under the impression I needed a degree to be a proofreader.

Wow!! this is great, I have never thought of the importance of proofreading to writers. This article has just encouraged me to continue exploring this field. I love reading and editing so much. I have edited some projects and I did not see it as a big deal, I was just helping the writers. Thanks again for this eye-opening article.

This is a concise insight into become a professional proofreader. The author did a really nice research and displayed expertise on the subject matter. Thumbs up.

I am interested in proof reading. From my previous work experience, I feel I have what it takes to be a proof reader. When it comes to picking up errors in documents, it comes naturally.

Wow! I never thought that proofreading can one of the best thing that people can think as a career. I feel like I have what it takes to be a proof reader.

How frequent are these jobs availble?

Proofreading jobs are frequently available on freelance platforms like Upwork, with new job postings appearing almost daily.

Fiverr works differently, as freelancers post their services and clients purchase them directly. Despite this, many proofreaders on Fiverr have completed over 1,000 jobs, indicating a steady stream of work.

FlexJobs focuses more on full-time positions, which may require more experience and have a lower volume of openings compared to freelance platforms.

The frequency of proofreading jobs at content agencies varies, so it’s best to check with individual agencies to understand their hiring practices and the volume of work they

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Best Online Proofreading Jobs

Minimal financial investment is needed, qualifications aren’t necessarily required, and the work is flexible. Online proofreading is something you can do whenever and wherever you want.

Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or living the digital nomad lifestyle, working remotely from your computer can be a great option. Online proofreading jobs generally revolve around projects and deadlines rather than set hours, so it’s easy to structure the work around your routine.

As the internet continues to expand, more new content is being created every day. All this content needs to be proofread – there’s never been a better time to become a proofreader. Yet making a start on something new can be daunting. Where can you find a job? Is it competitive? How much money can you make proofreading?

This guide to online proofreading jobs will answer these questions and more.

What Is Proofreading?

Before we get started, let’s define what proofreading is and isn’t.

Proofreading is the final stage of the editing process, which takes place once the first draft has been written and run through by an editor. Proofreaders are the last in line before a piece of work is published.

Proofreading vs. Editing

Proofreaders focus on spelling and grammar mistakes. They don’t suggest large changes such as rephrasing sentences, restructuring, or formatting entire sections – this is the job of copy editors.

When searching for online proofreading jobs, you’ll find there’s a lot of overlap between editors and proofreaders when it comes to job adverts. It’s important to be aware of the differences.

Proofreaders cover a wide variety of content. The usual suspects are the types already alluded to – eBooks and web content – but it doesn’t end there. More under-the-radar documents also need to be proofread: white papers, student theses, user manuals; even menus.

It’s also important to differentiate between being a remote employee and a freelancer. Both involve very similar job tasks, but the structure couldn’t be more difficult. Freelancers are responsible for managing their own freelance business and finding clients, whereas employees work for one company. Both options offer the flexibility of working from home .

Best Proofreading Jobs Online

Here are the top 10 ways to find proofreading jobs online:

• JournalismJobs
• BloggingPro
• MediaBistro

FlexJobs specializes in remote job opportunities; seriously, that’s all they do.

You can find both part-time and full-time jobs that allow you to work from home, or anywhere in the world for that matter.

Price: $9.95 w/ 30-day Money-Back Guarantee

FlexJobs is the largest site for finding remote, work-from-home jobs, both full-time and part-time for your skillset. The trained researchers at FlexJobs hand-screen job listings to eliminate ads and scams found on other sites. Find everything from entry-level to executive positions at FlexJobs.

Another popular option is Fiverr , which has the advantage of letting you get started straight away. This makes it an ideal place to test the waters and see what types of assignments you like doing.

Fiverr started as a website where you could find anyone to do anything for $5, but has quickly evolved to be one of the top platforms in the world for freelancers to find work and people to find freelancers. It’s definitely worth exploring.

It also makes it easy to do a few assignments and use your happy clients as testimonials in other areas of your proofreading business.

Learn more:

• Best Fiverr Gigs

If you don’t feel ready to pitch directly to companies, using third-party websites designed for freelancers could be a good option.

The advantage of using these kinds of sites is that you don’t have to worry about being scammed or chasing payment because the website takes care of this for you. However, it comes at a price – a cut of the profit will be taken.

Upwork is the largest and most popular of these websites, and it provides a huge amount of work. Some love it and others hate it, but it can be a good place to start.

However, it can be complicated to get accepted as Upwork claims to receive over 10,000 applicants a day. You need to ensure that your profile is filled in and you include all relevant information.

• UpWork vs Fiverr: Which is Better?

LinkedIn is a well-respected place to search for high-quality jobs. You can input ‘remote’ into the location option to ensure that you narrow your search down to online proofreading jobs.

It’s also possible to create alerts for jobs that match your search terms and have new jobs sent straight to your inbox daily. Just remember to create multiple alerts including all the key terms.

You’ve probably used Indeed before, but not everybody realizes the number of remote jobs on there.

Competition can be high since Indeed is one of the most well-known job websites in the world and it’s extremely convenient to use – but for the same reasons, you can’t afford to ignore it.

Another great option is Monster.com , which works in almost the same way as Indeed. Regularly applying for relevant jobs posted on this triad – LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster – will certainly keep you occupied.

Hopefully, success will come your way eventually.

Online Proofreading Job Boards

The final option you can pursue is to check online job boards and websites that are specifically made for freelance proofreading jobs.

Some big online job boards which often have jobs relevant for proofreading are these:

• JournalismJobs – best for ‘media jobs’ including proofreading
• ProBlogger – mostly for writing jobs but sometimes proofreading
• BloggingPro – aimed at writers but includes proofreading too
• MediaBistro – various media jobs including proofreading

11 Proofreading Jobs That Require A Degree

There are also various websites that are specifically geared toward experienced proofreaders. These sites are looking for highly qualified academic proofreaders.

For those professional jobseekers, here are the 11 best proofreading jobs that require a degree :

• CACTUS Global – needs proofreaders to have a PhD/Master’s/Bachelor’s degree or expertise in a specialized subject.
• Edit 911 – hires proofreaders with an English PhD who can use InDesign or Publisher.
• Edit Fast – requires a degree from a recognized university.
• Enago – hires proofreaders with a Master’s degree/PhD/postdoctoral research experience.
• English Trackers – hires proofreaders with a PhD.
• ProofreadingPal – hires proofreaders enrolled in college with a minimum 3.5 GPA or experienced graduates.
• Scribbr – hires proofreaders with a Bachelor’s degree.
• Scribendi – hires editors with a university degree.
• WordFirm Inc’s ManagedEditing prefers five years’ experience and a degree.
• Words R U – hires proofreaders with a PhD or Master’s and preferably with ESL experience.
• Wordvice – requires a graduate degree.

19 Proofreading Jobs for Beginners

If you are just getting started as a proofreader, here are the top 19 online proofreading jobs that don’t require a degree :

• American Journal Experts – hires editors with proven expertise.
• Babbletype – hires skilled proofreaders and editors.
• Domainite – the rates are low but could be a good place to start.
• Book Editing Associates – five years of experience is required.
• Editor Live – hires proofreaders for academic and business papers.
• Gramlee – must submit an application to get approved.
• Kibin – allows you to sign up for proofreader job alerts.
• Kirkus Media – sometimes hires editors.
• Lifetips – offer remote employee positions with benefits.
• OneSpace – hire for both writing and editing jobs.
• Polished Paper – hires those who can pass a 35-question test.
• Prompt – hires freelancers to read college admission essays.
• Proofreadingservices.com – hires those who can pass a 20-minute proofreading test.
• R3ciprocity –based on a credits system where contributors proof each other’s work and use the credits to get their own work proofed. You can also turn the credits into cash.
• Reedsy – a freelance marketplace that allows you to work with authors and writers.
• Scribe Media – hire freelance “scribes.” The role involves writing as well as editing.
• Scribe Writing (previously Book in a Box) – proofread a book project which lasts for a series of months.
• Smartbrief – sometimes looks for proofreaders and editors but the pay is low.
• Writer’s Relief – hires proofreaders to read the work of creative writers to get published. Only accept 2% of those who apply to get accepted.

Connect With Proofreaders in Facebook Groups

Facebook groups are another great way to find jobs. Many companies aren’t willing to spend their budget on giving commission to third-party websites and prefer to directly source proofreaders. However, it’s worth exercising a healthy dose of caution when it comes to Facebook job pages; they can sometimes be a hotspot for scammers.

One thing you may find is that proofreading jobs get posted on groups that aren’t necessarily specific to proofreading. Therefore, it’s worth getting creative with which groups you join. You should be able to find relevant jobs by searching for all the key terms related to proofreading and also terms such as ‘freelance writing’, ‘flexible jobs’, and ‘remote work’.

Clearly, there are many social media platforms you can use to source online proofreading jobs. You may want to try out various different methods and figure out which ones work out best for you. It’s important to remember that you may find your search difficult at first but things will get easier as you build up experience and get referred by past clients.

How To Become A Proofreader

It goes without saying that proofreaders need to have excellent spelling and grammar skills.

However, even if your command of the English language is perfect and your attention to detail is second-to-none, this is unlikely to guarantee you a top-paying gig unless you can back your skills up with experience or qualifications.

Do I Need A Degree To Become A Proofreader?

Having a degree in English or Journalism isn’t essential, but it’s undoubtedly an advantage. This is especially true for anybody hoping to go down the route of being a remote employee rather than a freelancer – companies will expect a more traditional candidate.

If you don’t have a degree in a relevant discipline – or no degree at all – then there’s no need to panic. Freelancing jobs tend to rely more heavily on experience and testimonials than on conventional qualifications.

Is Proofreading Difficult?

You may be worried that, since online proofreading jobs being such an attractive option for many people, the market would be oversaturated and demand would struggle to meet supply. Luckily, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

The truth is that not everybody has the skills necessary to be a good proofreader. It’s a difficult and highly technical job, which is why so many companies demand candidates who have a bachelor’s degree – or even a PhD – in English.

Due to online proofreading being such a flexible role, many people drift in and out of the profession, meaning that companies are always seeking new people.

You may also be worried about the threat of automation, especially as the use of tools such as Grammarly is growing. However, anybody who uses these tools on a regular basis knows that they’re an imperfect replacement for real human beings.

Robots may do a good job of learning grammar rules and spellings, but they’re yet to be able to understand context and tone.

Take An Online Proofreading Course for Professional Certification

If you want to brush up on your skills or stand out from your competitors, one option is to take an online course. This is a lot cheaper and quicker than completing an entire undergraduate degree.

The Proofread Anywhere course is excellent for those who want to get serious about proofreading, and you can take part in a free workshop before you decide whether to complete the whole course.

Proofread Anywhere is hands down the best proofreading course anywhere online. Hundreds of Millennial Money readers have taken this course and are now making money proofreading.

Proofread Anywhere - The #1 Online Proofreading Course

Most courses focus on the mechanics of proofreading, but Proofread Anywhere trains you on both how to proofread AND how to market your services. The course has helped 15,000+ students with their proofreading career!

Test Your Proofreading Skills

You may be asked to do an editing test before you’re given a job, especially if you’re applying for a remote employee role, so it’s important to make sure you’re up to a good standard. Not sure whether your skills are good enough?

There are various free tests you can try, such as the Ultimate Editing Test from ProEdit or the proofreading test on Web Done Right. The Society for Editors and Proofreaders in the UK also has a test – but beware of the differences between American English and British English.

How Much Do Online Proofreaders Make Per Hour?

Online proofreading jobs aren’t usually paid by the hour. Remote employees will be paid a yearly salary, but freelance proofreaders are more likely to be paid by the project, pages, or even words.

Having said that, according to Salary.com , the average salary is $54,956. The true figure depends on a lot of factors. Payscale.com allows you to input your city and years of experience to find out a more accurate figure.

How To Choose Your Rate As A Freelance Proofreader

Of course, if you want to work as a freelance proofreader, then you’ll be free to choose your own rate. Most freelance proofreaders start off with a relatively low hourly wage and then increase their rate gradually over time as they hone their craft and build up their portfolio.

A quick search on Upwork reveals that there are currently over 200 freelance proofreaders who are charging an hourly rate of $60 an hour or more. Some charge up to $100 or even slightly more.

It’s tempting to charge a low rate under the guise that this will guarantee more work, but this isn’t the case. Most freelancers charging high rates have no trouble finding work because they have the experience and skills to back up the prices they ask for.

Best Proofreading Industries

It’s also notable that some industries are more well-paid than others. You may want to bear this in mind if you’re planning on approaching companies you’d like to work with directly. According to Data USA , the best- and worst-paying industries are as follows.

Best-paying:

• Printing & related support activities
• Legal services
• Advertising, public relations & related services

Worst-paying:

• Business support services
• Newspaper publishers
• Colleges, universities & professional schools

Tools & Online Resources For Proofreaders

In terms of equipment, online proofreading jobs have lower startup costs than many other potential businesses. Of course, you’ll need some kind of device to work from, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a computer or laptop – a tablet is usually sufficient.

Likewise, although you’ll need an internet connection, ultra-fast internet isn’t strictly necessary since you’ll be working from text files. If your Wifi isn’t always reliable, this will come as a huge relief.

Understanding Citation Systems

It’s also extremely useful to have an understanding of the major citation systems, such as APA, MLA, and CMOS. There are plenty of resources available online that you can use to familiarize yourself with these styles, and it’s also possible to buy an official handbook directly from the websites.

Best Grammar Tools

Grammar tools such as Grammarly and Hemingway app are also incredibly helpful. This software isn’t a replacement for human proofreaders, but they do add an extra layer of security against simple errors and typos.

Grammarly offers a free version to help you avoid basic grammatical errors and a premium version that covers more sophisticated errors.

Hemingway app has no free version, but many writers swear by it. Grammar-checking apps aren’t strictly necessary when you first start on your freelancing journey, but they’re a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to grow their business further.

Best Proofreading Software

Most of the time, if you’re freelancing then simple software like Microsoft Word and Google Docs will be used. It may sound basic, but it’s a great way for clients to collaborate and see what you’re doing.

However, it may also be helpful to know how to use professional publishing software – especially if you plan on becoming a remote employee rather than a freelancer. Here are some you may come across, depending on your industry:

• Adobe Acrobat Vs 8 (Professional) for editing PDFs
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Framemaker
• DITA and Arbortext Editor
• ​QuarkXPress
• ​Final Draft
• ​iAnnnotate
• Movie Magic Screenwriter

Proofreading Business Requirements

If you want to be a freelancer, there are some additional considerations you wouldn’t need to think about if you were pursuing a more traditional job route.

You may want to purchase General Liability Insurance, preparing an invoice template, or using accounting software such as QuickBooks . Doing this will protect you against any issues that could arise and ensure that you stay on top of your clients.

This isn’t something you need to worry about when you’re first testing the waters, but it’s something you need to consider for later down the line. Remember, when you freelance, you’re essentially starting and operating your own business.

Work Samples and Testimonials

It’s also incredibly helpful to have a sample to show to clients. You can create a Google Doc of a document you proofread and clearly show the errors you picked up by highlighting them.

If you don’t have a past client then don’t worry – you can just create one using a piece of work you wrote yourself.

In addition to a sample, testimonials from previous clients go a long way in proving that you know what you’re doing. It’s possible to get started without any experience, but if you have any past clients you can call upon to recommend you, asking them is a must.

You’ll also need to have the time management skills necessary to meet deadlines, as this is a vital part of the job. When you’re working from home, there’s no boss present to motivate you.

Are Proofreaders in Demand?

We’re living in a world of content, and the content level we’re currently experiencing probably is yet to reach its peak. As independent authors and the self-publishing industry boom, many writers are looking for freelance proofreaders they can work with.

There is also more web content than ever before as more blogs are created and more businesses go digital. Now is a great time to be a proofreader.

According to Data USA , around 9,800 people in the US workforce were employed as proofreaders in 2020 – roughly the same as 2019.

The average national salary for proofreaders according to DataUSA is around $38,500 per year.

On Indeed, there are 375 ‘proofreader’ jobs posted currently. This may be less than other professions, but it’s still a considerable number.

On Upwork, there are over 3,000 jobs posted most days, which reflects that there’s a greater demand for freelancers than remote employees.

Get Started As A Freelance Proofreader From Home

Proofreading could be a feasible option for you if you have a good understanding of the English language skills and are well-suited to working from home.

If you’re a published author with a doctorate in English, building a career as a proofreader will be straightforward. However, even if you have no degree and no experience, there are plenty of online proofreading jobs available.

To take a direct approach, collect the email addresses of companies you think you could help and pitch your services to them. This should be a short yet persuasive email that consists of an outline of what you can offer and a call to action.

If you find grammar and spelling mistakes on the content of an individual or company, you could even proofread a small section and use this as your sample to send them.

However, only do this sparingly; it’s a risky strategy to spend a lot of time working for free with no guarantee of more paid work.

It might also be helpful to join a professional society, such as EFA (USA only) or ACES (international). This can be a great way to start networking and may help you to land work.

You might not be able to make $100 an hour from the get-go, but if you continuously build up your testimonials and portfolio, there’s no reason you can’t get there eventually.

There’s certainly no end of places to look for jobs, and demand seems set to increase over the next few years. With the potential payoff being so high and the startup costs being so low, why not give it a go?

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35 Best Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners (Make $50+/Hr!)

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Last Updated on November 12, 2022 by Rebecca Lake

Looking for a flexible way to earn a part-time or full-time income from home?

Online proofreading jobs can be a great way to make money on a daily basis. It’s possible to launch a part- or full-time career as a proofreader without previous experience.

There are numerous companies that offer remote job opportunities for entry-level proofreaders and experienced proofreaders. Some online proofreading jobs are offered on a part-time basis, while others are full-time.

Today, we’re sharing tips on how to become a professional proofreader, along with some of the best legitimate proofreading jobs.

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What Is Proofreading and What Do Proofreaders Do?

Proofreading is the process of reviewing written documents and checking them for spelling mistakes, typos and grammatical errors.

A proofreader’s job, in a nutshell, is making sure a piece of writing is error-free. It’s a little different from editing, which involves reviewing text for tone, correct sentence structure, flow and overall style.

Online proofreading jobs can involve reviewing a wide range of writing, including:

• Infographics
• White papers
• Case studies
• Academic papers
• Social media posts
• Technical reports
• Legal documents
• Medical documents

Proofreaders can work as generalists, proofreading a wide range of online content. Or they may specialize in a single type of writing, like legal or medical documents.

Are proofreaders in demand?

Proofreaders are in high demand across a wide variety of industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Some of the industries hiring online proofreaders include:

• Newspaper, periodical and book publishers
• Business support services
• Scientific and technical services
• Employment services
• Advertising and public relations services
• Content creators, including bloggers and influencers

The freelance marketplace for online proofreading jobs has plenty of potential to grow as more businesses harness the power of online marketing. The great thing about starting a proofreading career is that prior experience is not necessarily a prerequisite.

What are the basic requirements to become an online proofreader?

As mentioned, you don’t need previous experience to be a good proofreader if you’ve mastered the right skills.

Those skills include:

• Thorough understanding of grammar
• Solid spelling skills
• Good grasp of proper capitalization and punctuation
• Familiarity with different style guides

Some online proofreading jobs may require you to be a native English speaker, but that’s not always the case. There are plenty of potential clients who may be willing to work with you if English is your second language but you’re fluent.

Proofreading could be a natural fit if you’re detail-oriented. In terms of the educational background needed, some online proofreading jobs may require a bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree.

However, it’s still possible to become a full-time proofreader without a university degree. Many beginner proofreaders learn everything they need to know to get started by taking an online course.

Want to get paid to proofread?

Sign up for a FREE webinar to learn how to make money proofreading online!

How much money do online proofreaders make?

The average online proofreader earns $52,307 annually, according to ZipRecruiter. At the low end, some proofreaders are making around $14,500 per year, while those at the higher end are earning a six-figure income .

Online proofreaders can easily earn a part-time or full-time income from home . A good hourly rate to target for beginner proofreaders is somewhere in the $25 to $50 range.

How do online proofreaders make money? The answer depends on whether a proofreader is hired as an independent contractor or an employee.

Proofreaders who work as independent contractors can set their own rates and charge:

• By the word
• By the page
• By the hour
• By the project

If you’d like to run your own business, becoming an online proofreader can be a great way to do it.

Proofreaders who are hired as employees, on the other hand, typically have their salaries set by the company they’re working for. There may, however, be room for negotiation and employees may get some nice perks or benefits that independent contractors don’t.

Related post: How to Make $10,000 a Month: 25 High Paying Side Hustle Ideas

35 Best Proofreading Jobs for Beginners

When it comes to finding proofreading jobs online, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, consider what type of proofreading gigs you’re interested in. For example, if you’re looking for flexible options, then you might want to look for a freelance proofreading job that allows for remote work.

Next, check out what’s required of the job itself.

When creating job postings for open positions, companies might include a little detail or a lot. If you’re looking for online proofreading jobs for beginners, then it’s important to understand what the job involves and how those requirements match up with your skills and experience.

Finally, take a look at the pay. 

When you’re just starting as a freelance proofreader, it’s tempting to lowball yourself just to get work. But that can be a big mistake.

If you start out accepting low rates of pay, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of doing that over and over again. So consider what you want your target hourly rate to be, then focus your search on jobs that pay that amount. 

Ready to find available proofreading jobs? Here are 35 places to start your search.

Upwork is an online job marketplace that connects freelancers with companies that want to hire them. 

While this online platform does have its critics, Upwork can still be a good place to find your first proofreading job. I used it in the early days of my freelance career to find work.

If you want to use Upwork, you’ll need to create an account first. Once your account is approved, you can create a profile and start searching for online proofreading jobs. 

You’ll need to send proposals for the jobs you want to apply for. And it helps to have a solid profile and portfolio to catch clients’ attention. 

Fiverr is another online platform that you can use to look for online proofreading jobs for beginners.

With Fiverr, you can create a profile and advertise your proofreading skills.

You can decide which proofreading services you want to offer and how you want to price them. It’s an easy way to start earning money proofreading when you have little to no experience!

Guru is similar to Upwork and it’s another online platform that you can use to find proofreading jobs for beginners.

Just like with Upwork, you’ll create an account and set up your profile. Once you’ve done that, you can browse online proofreading job listings to find ones that fit your criteria.

You can bid on jobs that you want to try and snag. And again, having a strong profile can work in your favor for landing clients. 

4. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a remote work website that lists online jobs, including proofreading gigs.

What’s different about FlexJobs compared to other job boards is that you’re more likely to find high-paying gigs. It’s an excellent place to look for proofreading jobs that pay four figures a month.

FlexJobs is a paid job board, which means you’ll have to make a small investment to use it. But a FlexJobs membership could be well worth the money if you’re looking for a great platform with a solid reputation.

5. Virtual Vocations

Virtual Vocations is also a remote work job board. 

This one features a ton of online job opportunities, including remote proofreading and editing positions. 

Like FlexJobs, this site does charge a membership fee. But it could be well worth it if you’re able to sift out the proofreading jobs that pay peanuts and focus on quality opportunities. 

6. Clickworker

Clickworker offers online proofreading job opportunities for people who have an excellent command of their native language and enjoy correcting errors.

To make money proofreading through Clickworker, you first have to complete a few text creation tasks. From there, you can take an online proofreading assessment.

This assessment is used to qualify you as a proofreader with Clickworker. Once you’ve done that, you can start taking on proofreading jobs through the site.

Pay is per-word and based on the quality level of the project. 

7. Proofreading Pal

Proofreading Pal could be a great place to look for online proofreading jobs if you already have experience or a college degree.

Proofreaders who use this site can make $500 to $3,000 a month reviewing documents online. 

Right now, Proofreading Pal is looking for new proofreaders who:

• Are currently employed by or enrolled as a graduate or postgraduate student in an accredited United States college or university and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 OR
• Have a graduate degree with a minimum of five years of professional proofreading and editing experience

This one could be a little tougher to get approved for if you’re new to proofreading and there’s a lengthy application form. But it’s definitely worth bookmarking for later as you gain more experience. 

8. Telus International (formerly Lionbridge)

Telus International offers flexible work at home jobs , including ones that require proofreading.

You register, then complete a skills evaluation. You’ll be contacted when work is available that fits your skills.

You then complete the work at your own pace. And once it’s finished, you get paid!

9. Get Editing Jobs

GetEditingJobs.com is primarily geared toward people who are looking for editing and freelance writing jobs. But you can also find online proofreading jobs here as well.

It’s free to start searching for job opportunities. And to make your job search easier, you can sign up for email alerts to let you know when new proofreading gigs are posted! 

10. ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com offers full and part-time remote proofreading jobs.

The pay is competitive, ranging from $19 to $46 an hour, depending on the project turnaround time. 

You can also work on a flexible schedule, which is good if you’re a stay at home mom , student or you already have a 9 to 5. 

11. LinkedIn 

LinkedIn is a fantastic place to find work as a freelancer or proofreader. 

You can use the LinkedIn Jobs board to search for remote proofreading opportunities. And you can use LinkedIn in general as a networking tool.

The more connections you make on LinkedIn, the more likely you are to encounter someone who needs to hire a proofreader or who can refer you for a proofreading job. 

12. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is an online marketplace where businesses can go to hire freelancers, including proofreaders.

You can create a profile on the site advertising your services. And you can bid on jobs or create an online portfolio to attract clients. 

13. Polished Paper

Polished Paper is another option for finding online proofreading jobs as you become more experienced. 

This site hires freelance proofreaders to review:

• Dissertations
• Business documents
• Journal articles
• Application essays
• Personal statements
• Resumes/cover letters
• Blog entries

You’ll have to register and take a proofreading test to apply.

But if you have experience proofreading any of those types of content, this could be a great place to find a high-paying gig.

Reedsy is an online community that’s designed to help authors, writers and freelancers come together. 

When you create a profile on Reedsy, you can be matched up with authors or writers to work with. This can take some of the hassle out of deciding which proofreading jobs to apply for. 

15. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is another freelancing community you could use to find at-home proofreading jobs as a beginner. 

Over a million businesses use this site to find freelancers of all skill levels. 

You can decide which freelance proofreading services you want to offer and what type of clients you want to work with. And you can also set your own rates so it’s super flexible. 

16. Wordvice

Wordvice could be a good fit if you’re looking for editing or proofreading jobs online and are a native English speaker.

And if you’re fluent in languages other than English, you could also check out Wordvice’s job listings for freelance translators. 

This site does require a graduate degree to be considered for proofreading work. But you can work online and the hours are flexible. 

17. Mediabistro

Mediabistro offers a mix of both in-house and remote work jobs, including listings for proofreaders.

I used this site to find freelance writing gigs as a beginner.

And a lot of top-shelf companies in the publishing space use it to find and hire freelancers.  

18. American Journal Experts

American Journal Experts offers freelance editing positions but it’s still worth a look if you’re interested in online proofreading jobs that also require editing.

Freelancers can take advantage of flexible work schedules and you can work independently. You’re also provided with comprehensive support in case you need help or have questions as you work through your editing tasks.

19. Robert Half

Robert Half is a lesser-known option for finding online proofreading jobs. But it’s a site that’s worth adding to your job search list if you’re interested in remote or contract proofreading work. 

It’s really easy to find proofreading jobs through the site. You can plug in your keywords in the search bar or set up an email alert and online proofreading gigs are delivered to your inbox.

20. Gramlee

Gramlee is always hiring for online proofreading jobs and online editing jobs. 

Aside from having solid proofreading skills, you’ll also need to be good at time management. Gramlee advertises 24-hour turnaround times for editing and proofreading services so it could be a great fit if you’re able to work at a faster pace. 

21. Writer’s Relief

Writer’s Relief is one of the top 100 websites for writers.

And like Gramlee, they’re always accepting applications for online proofreaders. You’ll need to be located in the United States to submit an application.  

This site offers proofreading services for authors, including reviews of poetry, books, short stories and essays. So it’s worth checking out if you’re the literary type.

22. OneSpace

OneSpace routinely posts listings for freelancers of all backgrounds, including graphic designers, writers and proofreaders.

Finding online proofreading jobs here can be hit or miss since they sometimes have only a few positions available. 

But it’s still one of the best options to bookmark since they pay daily and they offer proofreading gigs for people at all experience levels. 

CACTUS works with over 200,000 clients so there are plenty of opportunities to find online proofreading jobs for beginners here. 

Aside from proofreading jobs, you can also find freelance editing work and freelance translation jobs. 

One of the company’s best features is its task workflow, which makes it easy to accept and submit proofreading assignments so you can get paid faster!

24. Managed Editing

Managed Editing hires freelancers for proofreading jobs so you can earn money where you are, on your own schedule.

There is an application you have to fill out, which is quite detailed. But the more information you can provide about your proofreading skills and experience, the better your odds of getting matched for a paid proofreading job.

25. Scribendi

Scribendi offers editing and proofreading services for businesses.  

This site is unique because it offers specialized proofreading services, including:

• English as a Second Language (ESL) proofreading
• Academic proofreading
• Proofreading for authors
• Proofreading for personal documents
• Editing and proofreading for students
• Business and corporate proofreading services

If you have experience with any of those things, you could unlock a steady stream of online proofreading jobs with Scribendi.

26. Scribie

Scribie is technically an online transcription service. But they do use online proofreaders as part of the service they offer to their transcription clients. 

You’ll have to have a good comprehension of English to apply. There’s also a certification process you have to complete before you can start working through the site. 

27. Edit Fast

Edit Fast helps skilled editors, proofreaders and writers find work. 

It’s really easy to use, too. You create a profile to receive notifications about jobs. If you see a job that interests you, you send the client a proposal.

If the client accepts your proposal, you do the work and get paid!

It’s a passive way to find online proofreading jobs without spending hours surfing job boards each day. 

28. WritingJobz.com

WritingJobz.com is great for finding proofreading and writing jobs you can do from home.

What I love about this site is that you always get paid for your time. So if you have a nitpicky client that wants endless revisions, WritingJobz.com makes sure you’re compensated for that. 

That’s a huge plus and a great reason to consider applying to become a freelance proofreader here. 

29. Domainite

Domainite helps you find paid proofreading jobs online, regardless of skill level.

There is an editing test you have to complete first to apply. And you also need to know your way around Microsoft Word. 

But overall, it’s one of the easier sites to start finding paid proofreading jobs as a beginner. 

30. R3ciprocity

R3ciprocity offers a super simple way to make money proofreading online.

With this site, people submit their work to be reviewed and proofread. As you proofread documents, you earn credits. 

Those credits can then be converted to cash and deposited into your bank account via Stripe. 

This site may not pay quite as much as some online proofreading jobs. But it’s an easy way to get your feet wet and start building up your proofreading experience. 

31. Academia-Research

Academia-Research specializes in academic writing. As in, they hire people to write essays, research papers and other academic content.

But they also hire online proofreaders and copy editors as well. 

You might want to check out this site for work at home proofreading jobs if you have an academic background or just enjoy reading academic writing. 

32. Babbletype

Babbletype offers transcription, editing and translation services to its clients. So if you’re skilled at one or all three, you could easily earn great money from home through this site. 

One thing they look for is the ability to get along well with others. So solid communication skills could give you an edge.

At the moment, they aren’t taking applications for online proofreading jobs. But you could still keep tabs on the site for updates when new jobs open up. 

33. EditorLive

EditorLive could be an option if you’re looking for a full-time online proofreading job and live in Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada or Texas.

This site looks for online proofreaders who have a college degree and can provide at least two references. There’s also a multi-step assessment you’ll need to complete as part of the application process. 

34. MotherWorks

If you’re a stay at home mom who’s looking for online proofreading jobs or any other type of freelance work you’ll definitely want to check out MotherWorks .

This site features remote and online jobs for stay at home moms or any mom who wants to earn an income online. 

You can find proofreading jobs to do from home, along with editing jobs, writing gigs and virtual assistant jobs, to name a few!

35. Scribe Media

Scribe Media offers book coaching, book publishing, book writing and marketing services for authors.

The company regularly hires remote support staff, including online proofreaders, to help authors get their books published and available for sale.

There aren’t as many online proofreading jobs listed here, but it’s worth checking out if you’re specifically interested in working in the book publishing industry.

Start a Proofreading Business

One of the best ways to find online proofreading jobs is to make them for yourself.

So how do you do that?

Simple. You start an online proofreading business and become your own boss.

Here are the pros of starting your own proofreading business:

• You have control over which jobs you take (or don’t)
• You can set your own hours and work when you want
• Earning potential is unlimited since you can set your rates and decide how much to work
• You can connect with some really great people along the way, including clients, editors and other proofreaders
• It can be easier to become an expert in a particular type of proofreading and niche down, which can help you increase your earnings

If you want to start a proofreading business of your own, setting up a website is a good place to start.

For that, you’ll need a domain name and web hosting. NameHero is who I use for my sites, though Siteground is also highly recommended.

Once you’ve got your site set up, you can decide if you want to add a blog element to it. Be sure to read my ultimate guide to starting a blog if that’s something you’re interested in!

From there, you can work on building out your site and portfolio to start getting clients.

What do you need to start an online proofreading business?

One advantage of starting an online proofreading side hustle is that startup costs are typically low. You don’t need much money to get started.

Here’s what you’ll need to launch your profitable proofreading business:

• Editing software (Microsoft Word or Google docs work fine)
• Proofreading software ( Grammarly is great for beginners!)
• A PayPal account or bank account so you can get paid
• Dropbox if you need cloud storage

It’s also a good idea to set up social media accounts so you can start building your brand online.

Do you need to take a proofreading course?

If you do a quick Google search for “how to make money proofreading” or “how to get proofreading jobs online”, you’ll probably come across at least one website advertising online proofreading courses. 

Every course is different but the gist is the same: they equip you with the basic skills and knowledge you need to get started to make money proofreading. 

So, are these courses a good use of your time and money?

Online proofreading courses can definitely give you a leg up and help increase your earning potential. 

There are two things to keep in mind, though.

First, not all courses are the same. There are definitely some that are better than others. 

And second, you only get out of a course what you put into it. So if you can’t commit to spending the time to dive through the modules and absorb all the lessons, an online proofreading course could be a waste of money for you. 

With that being said, I can’t recommend Caitlin Pyle’s Proofread Anywhere course enough. 

She’s an undisputed expert in all things proofreading and based on feedback I’ve gotten from some of her students, this course is well worth the time and money required. 

If you want to get a sneak peek at what the course covers, you can sign up for a free workshop that covers the basics of how to make money as a proofreader. 

It costs nothing but your time and it can give you a better idea of whether online proofreading is the right side job for you.

How to Find Proofreading Jobs From Home

Not sure where to find paying proofreading gigs? There are a number of different ways to find proofreading jobs from home, including:

• Networking on LinkedIn or social media
• Asking for referrals
• Reaching out to friends and family
• Cold pitching your services to potential clients
• Responding to ads on freelance and remote work job boards

All of those options can lead to paying gigs.

And in the meantime, I recommend checking out the free proofreading workshop I mentioned earlier to learn more about how to make money as a proofreader.

Final thoughts on online proofreading jobs for beginners

Proofreading can be an excellent way to make money online. Depending on what kind of proofreading jobs you’re interested in, you could easily make a part-time or full-time income from the comfort of your own home. It’s one of the best options for creating an additional income stream, with no prior experience needed.

If you want to learn more about how proofreading works, be sure to check out Caitlin Pyle. She really knows her stuff!

Remember, her proofreading webinar doesn’t cost a dime. So you can take the workshop to help decide if online proofreading jobs are right for you. 

Need more money tips? Read these posts next:

• 140+ Legitimate Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money
• 37 Creative Side Hustles That Can Help You Make $100 a Day (or More!)
• How to Make $2000 a Month From Home With Flexible Side Hustles
• 50 Legitimate Ways to Make an Extra $1000 a Month Online (and Offline)
• 50+ Things to Sell to Make Money (Sell Stuff for Cash Fast!)

Best Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners

About Rebecca Lake

Rebecca Lake is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, freelance writer and homeschooling single mom of two. Since 2014, she's paid off nearly $100,000 in debt and grown her net worth to seven figures. Her work has appeared online at top personal finance websites, including Forbes Advisor, Bankrate, Investopedia, The Balance, CreditCards.com and U.S. News & World Report. Find out more.

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16 Legitimate Proofreading Jobs Online That Pay Up to $45/Hr (2023)

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Tired of finding  legitimate proofreading jobs online  that pay well?

Here’s good news for you! You’re in the right place.

Proofreading is one of the  best home-based jobs  that I have come across and it’s a pretty good option for people who have a strong command of English.

Though you can easily  become a professional proofreader  by taking  proofreading courses online , some are happy doing it as a side hustle.

If you’re one of them looking at it as a means to earn extra money, joining the listed companies will be a great start for you.

But before we jump onto it, let’s understand what the Proofreaders do.

FREE PROOFREADING CHECKLIST

Download your comprehensive proofreading checklist today and elevate your proofreading skills.

What Does a Proofreader Do?

What all documents can a proofreader proofread, difference between editor & proofreader, how much money does a proofreader make, do you need any qualifications to be a proofreader, do you really need an english degree to apply for proofreading jobs online, what tools do you need for proofreading, is there any workshop you can attend for free, 1. proofreadingpal, 2. proofreadingservices, 3. scribendi, 4. editfast, 5. wordvice, 7. clickworker, 9. peopleperhour, 10. global english editing, 11. sibia proofreading, 12. artisan talent, 13. academia research, 16. linkedin.

Also Read: Top Online Jobs for Easy Money-Making

A proofreader’s job is to detect & fix typos, grammatical errors, and spelling mistakes in a document written by someone else.

For example, if someone has written a blog post that may contain a lot of errors, then they can forward it to a proofreader to get it fixed.

• Articles/Blog Post
• Children’s book
• Podcast page
• Legal documents
• Court reports
• Essays & much more

Transform Your Eagle Eye into Your Most Profitable Skill

Dive into our email course and learn how to build a full-time proofreading business!

I have seen many folks assuming that the jobs of both editors and proofreaders are the same.

Well, surprise, surprise! It isn’t.

Even though they may have a similar kind of job, it is not what it is. Both of them work in two different stages of the revision process for any written document.

If I talk about editing, it is a process done after finishing your first draft. Here, normally you reread your document to see if it is well-organized, paragraphs have a smooth transition, and whether the structure of the written content is good or not.

Once done, you then proofread it to check for any typos, spelling & grammatical errors.

Making money as a proofreader varies with experience. If you are a beginner, you will make around $8 to $10 per hour. However, if you are an experienced Proofreader, you can make around $15 to $30 per hour. 

You’ll be surprised to know that some even make $50, but for that, you must have good experience working with reputable clients.

According to  salary.com , an average Proofreader in the US makes around $50,474 as of December 01, 2018, but the range typically falls between $44,292 and $57,640.

A person seeking a proofreading job must have the following qualities:

• First, you must have a good knowledge of the English language including proper use of grammar, punctuation, correct spelling, and standard  proofreading marks .
• Second, you must be a vivid reader. If you already love to read a lot whether it is novels, articles, newspapers, etc., then you will be able to complete proofreading tasks much faster.
• Third, if you’ve got a habit of detecting grammatical & spelling mistakes while reading, it’s a good sign.
• Lastly, if you have an English or Journalism degree, you are the most eligible person to become a Proofreader.

Having an English or Journalism degree is going to add more value to your profile but, it isn’t a necessity to get into the proofreading field. If you know how to proofread documents by following the standard guidelines, you are good to go.

However, most online companies may ask for a degree or experience, but some will hire you as a beginner. It just depends on the company with whom you will work.

Generally, Proofreading doesn’t require any special tools but adding them can fasten up your work. Here are two main tools I recommend enough to get the job done. 

• Google Docs:  It provides excellent features to edit documents on the go allowing you to add comments & markup procedures. With the autosave feature, you don’t have to worry about saving documents repeatedly which helps you to concentrate more on your work. Moreover, you can also use them in offline mode.
• Grammarly:  Grammarly  is an add-on installed in the browser that detects all grammatical errors & spellings in real-time. Just paste your text into Grammarly’s editor and within a few seconds, you can fix all the highlighted errors with a single click.

Besides this, you can also refer to these books to learn more about Proofreading.

• McGraw-Hill’s Proofreading Handbook
• Copyediting, and Proofreading For Dummies  
• Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors (Writing With Excellence Book 8)

Proofreading is an easy job when you are working for an online company. But when you decide to start your own Proofreading business, you need guidance from experts. With that in mind, you are lucky because Caitlin Pyle is there to help you. 

She provides a  free proofreading workshop  from her main course  “ PROOFREAD ANYWHERE “  which is full of values. If you’re someone who thinks whether proofreading is your cup of tea? Her free 76-minute workshop is just for you.

To give you some ideas, here are some topics that she discusses.

• 5 signs proofreading will be a perfect fit for you.
• How can proofreading give you freedom & financial security?
• Easy ways to attract clients & much more.

Related Post: Which course is best – Knowadays or Proofread Anywhere

16 Legitimate Online Proofreading Jobs

Proofreadingpal  is a website that offers both editing & proofreading jobs. They work on a two-proofreader model where each document is proofread & edited by two of their professional proofreaders.

If you want to work with them, ensure you are eligible for one of the following requirements.

• You must be a graduate/postgraduate in an authorized United States university with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Must have a graduate degree with a minimum experience of 5 years in professional proofreading & editing.

You can check out more requirements  from here .

If you’re fit for the job, you can surely fill up their questionnaire form and submit it. Once done, you will get a reply within 5-10 business days regarding the next selection procedure which includes a comprehensive & timed examination.

The expected salary is around $500–$3000 per month.

ProofreadingServices  has a team of professional editors and proofreaders having worked with over 5000 clients in 90+ countries.

They are ready to hire candidates for both full-time & part-time jobs once they pass their 20-minute preliminary test.

Being their member, you can get paid around $19-$46 per hour & you can work according to your own schedule.

Scribendi is an Internet-based language company known for document revision services in all sectors. It was founded in 1997 and has a network of over 400 professional freelance editors, processing hundreds of orders per day.

Their selection criteria include having a bachelor’s or master’s degree or you should at least have professional experience in proofreading along with a typing speed of 1,000–1,500 words per hour.

They have a current job opening for an In-House editor/proofreader where the candidate has to spend days working on a broad range of documents. 

If you feel, you are the right person for this job, please feel free to apply.

EditFast  has a team of editors, proofreaders, and writers specializing in English document editing related to business & individuals.

They prefer proofreaders having some editing proofreading experience along with a degree from a recognized university.

To apply for the position, you must submit a resume, & complete editing tests to get selected. 

Unlike other companies, EditFast doesn’t guarantee projects once you are hired. Though your profile is open for clients, getting a job is entirely dependent on them.

The company clearly says that it’s a freelance job so you need to have little patience. In case there is no project for you, you are free to search for opportunities elsewhere.

Talking about payment, you will get 60% of the project price that is paid via PayPal.

WordVice  has been active since 2013 and has done proofreading/editing for over 43 million words. It has 6 branches, namely in the United States, Turkey, China, Taiwan, Japan & South Korea.

Their requirement includes a graduate degree and at least 2 years of experience in proofreading & editing.

As of now, there are no proofreading jobs available but you can bookmark this site to check the job availability from time to time.

Fiverr is a marketplace where you can sell your skills to potential clients who want to get things done on a budget. Though beginners will have a hard time getting clients here, experienced proofreaders won’t have to struggle much.

So, I will recommend trying this site once you have gained some experience. To give you a small glimpse, here are some proofreader profiles on Fiverr.

• Fiverr Proofreader Profile No.1 –  Tinalightly
• Fiverr Proofreader Profile No.2 –  Robinoo
• Fiverr Proofreader Profile No.3 –  Newzealandgirl

Clickworker  is looking for proofreaders to check & correct text in the description of cities, hotels, products & software.

They are always seeking people who have an excellent command of English, and enjoy correcting grammatical errors while keeping the job instructions in mind.

Initially, you first need to qualify as an author to handle a few text creation jobs before you can take the assessment test for Proofreading jobs.

Being a Clickworker Proofreader, you will keep receiving better-paying projects as long as you are delivering good work results with 100% accuracy.

Indeed  is a job searching website where you can find proofreading-related jobs posted by clients.

Even though it’s a great site sometimes, you might stumble upon poor quality or scam jobs. That’s why I suggest you do your research before applying.

One thing you can do is – set up a job alert for proofreading jobs that will notify new job posting straight into your inbox. This is a more convenient way to get updated on the latest proofreading jobs.

Peopleperhour  is a freelance marketplace that connects clients and freelancers in one platform.

Being a freelancer, you can get paid per project or hour by providing proofreading services to clients all around the world.

Global English Editing  offers editing & Proofreading services for students, academics, authors, publishers, businesses, and other professionals.

To get into their team, you should have some experience & you must be from the U.S., U.K, and Australia.

Here the proofreading jobs are usually not always available, but you can check it from time to time for any new openings.

Sibia  provides proofreading, essay review, and copy editing services to businesses, graduate/college students, authors, researchers, professors, and professionals from around the world.

To apply for the proofreader position, you must have some proofreading experience along with a degree as it will give you more preference over others. (you can also apply as a beginner)

At the time of writing, there is no current opening for proofreaders but you can bookmark this site for future reference.

Artisan Talent is an American creative staff agency interested in digital, marketing & creative talent. They are often looking for proofreaders and editors having

• good reading comprehension
• English (or other languages) skills
• attention to detail & people skills.

If you think you’re a good match for them, feel free to apply.

Academia-Research  is an online academic writing and consulting company created in 2004. They provide flexibility and well-paid proofreading jobs for reviewing papers and documents.

As a Proofreader, you will need to proofread academic papers, online articles/blog posts, novels, and CV/application letters.

You are free to work as per your schedule & the earnings are paid twice a month. Additionally, they also provide bonuses to the most hardworking editors.

Wordy  is a UK-based copy-editing & proofreading company created in 2004. It is currently updating so you won’t be able to apply for any proofreading jobs as of now. Nevertheless, you can always check out the site for any vacancy in the future.

Upwork  is another freelance website where you can bid for proofreading jobs posted by clients.

It is just like Fiverr but the only difference is – you need to approach clients instead of them approaching you.

Being a beginner, it will be hard for you to receive projects as the clients like to work with experienced proofreaders. Nevertheless, you can charge less compared to them to increase your chances of getting hired.

LinkedIn is not only a great place to find proofreading jobs, but it is also a great place to connect with clients.

It takes time to find work here, but once you do, you can turn them into repeat customers if you know how to market yourself.

To find proofreading jobs, go to the site and type proofreading jobs, then set the location for searching. This will eventually display the current jobs, and you can apply as desired.

That’s it. If you know of any other legitimate online proofreading jobs that I haven’t mentioned here, please let me know in the comment section.

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Hello, I’m Mahesh Kumar U, the mind behind Lifez Eazy, your trusted source for authentic insights into the world of making money online. With a background in finance, I’ve been dedicated to providing honest and straightforward advice since 2017. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to make informed financial decisions.

2 thoughts on “16 Legitimate Proofreading Jobs Online That Pay Up to $45/Hr (2023)”

Great share!

Proofreading is fairly easy for those with a good command on English and often pays at par with content writing. Thanks for sharing an amazing list of legit websites.

Keep sharing such assets.

Thanks for the post. I’m a beginner in proof – reading and editing but I have over 25 years of experience in teaching English. Could that be of help?

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