how to make money proofreading

How to Make Money Proofreading: The Ultimate Guide

Proofreading can offer decent money if you have an eye for detail. Learn the skills needed to turn proofreading into a profitable career or side gig while working from home.

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Proofreaders are the unsung heroes in the content world. The demand for strong and quick proofreaders that work from home will continue to grow, even as we enter an AI-dominated content world. Every article, book, advertising campaign, social media post, and more can benefit from having an extra set of eyes on it.

Proofreading requires an eye for detail, knowledge of grammar and punctuation, and an ability to spot errors in written material. Let’s explore how to establish these skills, how to make money proofreading, and how much you can make.

Is proofreading right for you?

• Offers opportunities to make decent money
• Doesn’t necessarily require a lot of formal training
• Can be done remotely from almost anywhere
• Can be a good business or side hustle opportunity
• Has a variety of niches
• Requires attention to detail and solid grasp of the English language
• Can become repetitive
• May be a competitive field depending on your niche

Is proofreading worth it? Proofreading can be a great way to make money if you have an eye for detail and a passion for language. It offers the flexibility of working from home and a relatively low barrier to entry. However, it won’t work as a career or side hustle for everyone since it can be tedious and time-consuming and requires a high focus.

Signs you would be a great proofreader

Now that you have weighed the pros and cons of working as a proofreader, here are the top signs that you have what it takes to be a great proofreader:

• You have a good eye for detail
• You can concentrate for long blocks of time
• You can correct mistakes without altering the writer’s unique voice
• You are organized
• You can spot errors others miss
• You have a knack for knowing how to improve things
• You enjoy learning new subjects

You can always learn how to implement grammar and spelling rules better, but having a natural talent for the above list means you have the right personality that will thrive in this side hustle.

What is proofreading?

Proofreading is checking over a written piece of work for any errors. This includes typos or formatting, punctuation, and grammatical errors. In some cases, the proofreader is the final stop for a written piece before it’s published.

When we talk about a written piece, it can mean anything from an article to an email to a social media post. There’s a lot of variety in writing, meaning a proofreader often works on different tasks.

But the essential task for proofreaders across all written mediums is making sure there aren’t any errors. This often requires some writing experience and an eye for detail. Skills you can learn during school, in a similar job, or through your own studies.

Since you can proofread part time, a proofreading position can make for one of many popular weekend side jobs . You may also choose to proofread full time by getting a day job or freelancing for a number of clients.

Proofreading vs. editing: What’s the difference?

Becoming a proofreader versus an editor requires similar skill sets, but there are some major differences. The primary difference between the two is that proofreading is often the final step in the editing process and is the last polishing step. A proofreader catches anything missed by the first editor.

Editing and copyediting typically requires a more thorough look at the piece of work. The editor doesn’t just look for grammar and spelling mistakes, but also improves the flow and organization of the piece. The editor is responsible for calling out knowledge gaps or unclear structure that the writer needs to fix.

Here’s an example of how a publishing or marketing company may implement its editing process:

• Structural and developmental editing: Fixing the overall structure and flow.
• Line editing: Fixing the style and tone of a piece.
• Copyediting: Fixing grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Proofreading: Fixing any final issues before publication.

How to make money proofreading

Proofreading is one way to learn how to make money as a side hustle or potentially as a career. You may start proofreading on a part-time basis, and it turns into a full-time venture. Let’s explore how to get started.

1. Have the right skills

There are several ways to acquire the skills necessary for proofreading. You don’t have to start as a fantastic writer or editor to become a proofreader. But you’ll need to learn some applicable skills to get more proofreading opportunities.

For example, you typically need to know how to make something easily readable, which requires good attention to detail. You should also have a solid grasp of grammar and punctuation and an ability to be objective. You can learn these general proofreading skills at certain jobs, in school, or on your own.

Keep in mind that some in-office and online proofreading jobs may require a bachelor’s degree. But many proofreading positions won’t require a more advanced degree, such as a graduate degree or master’s degree.

2. Acquire additional qualifications

It’s time to move on to actual training if you already have the base skills to be a proofreader. To polish your proofreading skills, you can learn the ins and outs of writing and editing guidelines.

Several guidelines out there are commonly used, including:

• The Associated Press Stylebook (AP style)
• The Modern Language Association (MLA)
• The American Psychological Association (APA)
• The Chicago Manual of Style

In addition to writing and editing guidelines, you can acquire additional qualifications from online proofreading courses that can teach you more about proofreading and enhance your skills.

Many of these courses are free, enabling you to see if this path is worth pursuing without spending money. You can find these educational courses on sites such as:

• LinkedIn Learning

3. Choose your proofreading rate

The average proofreader pay in the U.S. is around $28 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter . However, you may want to start at a lower rate if you’re just getting started. As you gain more years of experience and add qualifications to your resume, you can increase your hourly rate.

How to make more as a proofreader

You can increase your pay by focusing on a niche. This is especially helpful if you are already an established expert in a field — i.e. a nurse who wants to start working from home. Some proofreading niches include:

• Legal transcripts
• Medical and business content
• Marketing materials
• Translations
• Print media
• Academic dissertations

These niches can be further broken down into more categories. The idea is that you can find an area where your skills may be in high demand by focusing on specific fields. This can be more fun if it’s an area of personal interest, such as a hobby or passion.

4. Find your first job

Now it’s time to look for work. Where to look for proofreading work depends on the type of work you want.

• Full-time proofreading positions: Most online job sites and boards can help with your search. Check out LinkedIn, Remote.co, FlexJobs, ZipRecruiter, Indeed, Monster, and other websites to explore job listings for proofreading jobs.
• Freelance proofreading jobs: Look for freelance gigs on Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. Online job sites also post freelance tasks that can enable you to proofread anywhere. Be sure to know how to spot online job scams too so you don’t waste your time with deceitful ads.

Remember that not all companies list their open positions on job boards. That’s why you should also check the career pages of companies you’re interested in to see if they have any relevant positions available.

Some companies may even become interested in hiring you after learning about the services you can offer. That’s why networking can be essential to finding work as a proofreader. Use your networking skills through friends, family, and previous employers and coworkers to discover potential opportunities.

You can also check for online proofreading positions on sites that offer proofreading services, such as Scribendi or Proofreading.org.

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How much money can you make proofreading?

The amount of money you can make proofreading varies widely depending on several factors, such as your proofreading experience, the type of material you're proofreading, and the market you're working in.

Like most jobs, you can expect to make more money as you gain more experience. But realize that certain industries or companies may simply pay higher wages than others. For example, you may make more money at a tech company than at a university.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that beginner proofreaders make around $24.57 an hour or $51,100 a year, on average.

Indeed.com shows an experienced proofreader can make, on average, around $22 per hour.

ZipRecruiter shows a slightly higher pay rate for people who run a freelance proofreading business.

Making $22 to $28 per hour at a full-time rate of 40 hours a week equals about $52,000 per year. Depending on your actual pay rate and how much you work, you can earn $21,000 to $87,000 per year. This range may also be higher or lower, depending on your exact situation.

Proofreading can provide additional income as a dedicated career path or a focused side hustle. For more options, check out our list of the best side hustles .

Essential tools for proofreaders

What would a builder be without their tools? The same thought applies to proofreaders. The following resources can make your work as a proofreader a lot easier.

Google Docs

Google Docs is designed with writers in mind. You can easily add comments and use the editing mode to make changes visible to everyone with access to the document. You can also view past versions of the document to see what changes have already been made or to revert to a previous version. Google Docs also save automatically to the cloud, so you never have to worry about losing your hard work.

Grammar can be a strange beast to tame because so much of what we say out loud can be grammatically incorrect. Grammar rules themselves can simply be confusing.

Grammarly is a valuable tool for getting quick suggestions on what you can change to help make the written piece you proofread more readable and correct. However, keep in mind that Grammarly is only a tool, not the universal law of the written language.

That’s important to understand because sometimes you may disagree with what Grammarly suggests. And you can very well be right, especially if a piece has a different style than what Grammarly suggests. I have personally noticed that Grammarly prefers the Oxford comma, which some publications do not use.

AP Stylebook

Professional writing often follows style guides to enable people to have a consensus on which type of writing is correct. The AP Stylebook is one of these style guides, and it provides rules and guidelines for all kinds of words and phrases, making it a helpful resource for proofreaders using AP Style.

You can either use the published AP Stylebook or purchase an online membership for less than $50 per year. This allows you to search for rules and guidelines faster.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is similar to Grammarly in that it’s an app that offers users suggestions to help improve their writing. A proofreader may find this tool helpful to find areas in different writing pieces that can use some slight adjustments or changes.

Hemingway App

Being clear and concise is a goal many writers aim to achieve with their writing. You can use the Hemingway App to get a readability score for written materials. I like using the Hemingway App alongside Grammarly because it points out sentences that are hard to read or when I start a sentence the same way too often. Proofreaders can also benefit from the Hemingway App, especially if the app wasn’t used in the editing process.

Is proofreading easy?

The ease of proofreading increases as you gain more experience and grow your skillset. Previous knowledge in editing or writing positions also helps. That being said, proofreading can be challenging if you easily get distracted or don’t have a firm grasp of the written language. And like any skill, proofreading typically requires time and effort to master.

Are proofreaders in demand?

Yes, proofreaders remain in demand as the information world keeps cranking out content. It is hard to know the specific level of demand since many surveys and individuals lump together the proofreaders and editors.

How much do beginner proofreaders make?

Beginner proofreaders make, on average, $14 per hour or about $29,000 per year. However, the average pay for proofreaders, in general, falls in a range between $22 and $28 per hour or around $45,000 to $58,000 per year. Remember that per-hour wage and salary depend on the number of hours you work, the company you work for, and the experience you have.

How can I learn proofreading for free?

The internet is often an excellent resource for learning things for free, including proofreading. There are many articles and online courses available that you can access for free to see if proofreading feels like the right type of work for you. Check out our list of the best sites for free online education to get started.

Other work from home jobs to consider

Free 3-class intro teaches you how to launch a bookkeeping business — avg. hourly rate for this skill is $75/hour.

Get your share of $55,000 paid out daily to Survey Junkie users.

Connect with families looking for child care, pet care, housekeeping, and more.

Don’t worry if proofreading doesn’t seem right for you. There are plenty of ways to make extra money online in your spare time.

Become a virtual assistant

As a virtual assistant (VA), you can remotely provide administrative, technical, or creative assistance to your clients. You can help with tasks such as scheduling appointments, answering emails, making travel arrangements, engaging with social media, researching, and more. You can work independently and communicate with clients via phone, email, messaging, and other online tools.

Becoming a VA is a remote job that can offer flexibility with your work schedule, location, and the type of work you do. The key to being a VA is being organized, having good time management, employing good communication skills, and topping it all with multitasking.

Get more information about how to become a virtual assistant .

Offer services on Thumbtack

Thumbtack is an online service that connects professionals with customers that need their services. Writers, translators, personal trainers, tutors, and many other professionals can list what they offer on the platform, helping them find work or grow their existing business. Professionals can also receive notifications when new job leads become available in their area, so they can quickly respond to potential clients.

Users can search for professionals based on the type of service they need, their location, and the date and time they need the service.

Explore how it works in our Thumbtack review .

Author Details

Ben Walker, CEPF, CFEI®

Ashley Eneriz

This post may contain affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure for more.

21 Legitimate Proofreading Jobs Sites for Beginners + Tips to Get Started

Allan Borch

Allan Borch is the founder of Dotcom Dollar. With almost 10 years of digital marketing experience, he wants to help entrepreneurs and business owners build and monetize their own successful online business. Connect with him on LinkedIn, Twitter and Youtube. Learn more »

Top 21 Places To Look For Proofreading Jobs

Online proofreading: a lucrative work-from-home job, how much money does a proofreader usually make, becoming a proofreader: what do you need, tools that will come in handy for proofreading jobs, different types of proofreading jobs, pros and cons of being a proofreader, tips on finding proofreading jobs, final words.

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Interested to work as a freelance proofreader? You’d be happy to know that prospective freelance proofreading jobs pay well, even at the lowest end of the spectrum. According to Glassdoor, as of June 2020, the lowest base pay is at $34,000/year and the highest is at $66,000/year. This means the average base pay is at $45,222/year.

Not bad, considering you’ll be working from home, or where you’re most comfortable and productive.

Depending on your skills, you can expect to earn within the range specified. You can also use Payscale , a salary comparison research site, to determine your pay rate based on your location.

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Overall, working remotely as a freelance proofreader comes with benefits, salary-wise. You just need to find a gig that’s legitimate.

There are plenty of remote job websites that you can use to find proofreading jobs. Having a lot of choices can be a good thing, but you will have to vet these choices one by one and create online profiles on websites that you are not even legit.

Fortunately, we took the liberty of listing 20 legitimate online proofreading job websites that are fit for first-time and long-time online jobseekers. If you learn how you can get freelance clients , getting hired for the job would be easier.

Here are some of the best places with a high chance of landing online proofreading jobs for beginners and pros alike:

Fiverr is one of the best websites for any freelancer, including beginner proofreaders. The pay may not match your expectations, but it is a great place to start acquiring experience.

2. Clickworker

If you are looking for quick jobs, Click Worker has a lot of choices. All you need to do is complete a test and gain access to tons of proofreading jobs once you pass.

3. ProofreadingServices

The best thing about Proofreading Services is the flexible schedule of offered jobs and the salary that ranges from $20 to $40 per hour. Although, getting a high rate may be challenging for beginners.

4. SolidGigs

Why waste hours of your billable time looking for jobs when you can sign up for SolidGigs? SolidGigs does the work for you, sending you the best freelance proofreading jobs every week, so you can get back to doing what you do best.

5. FlexJobs

FlexJobs has many proofreading jobs and other positions that require a similar set of skills. This means you can also explore other projects on top of proofreading. Proofreader gigs vary as full-time, part-time, and temporary.

6. Get Editing Jobs

This community of job seekers and clients offer various editing and writing projects. Proofreading jobs may be scarce, but you can try a different keyword to expand your search.

7. LionBridge

LionBridge requires a skills test to get started, but anyone who is naturally good with grammar can pass.

UpWork has tons of proofreading jobs to offer. However, the screening process is the most challenging part. Make sure you buff up your profile to get a better chance to get in. Once you are in, you will need to spend a little amount of money on “connects” to submit proposals.

9. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a legitimate social media platform for freelancers and professionals. The more connections you make, the higher the chance you get to land a legitimate proofreading job.

10. Scribendi

Scribendi is a fast-growing editing and proofreading service who are always constantly searching for the best work-from-home proofreaders.

11. Contena

Joining Contena takes only about five minutes of your time. They offer tons of jobs for freelancers who specialize in writing, editing, and proofreading.

Guru is a great website if you want to market yourself for almost any type of job inside and outside of writing.

13. Wordvice

Wordvice is a great website if you want to take academic writing and proofreading projects. Because of their clients from prestigious universities in the US, you can gain quite a lot of academic editing and proofreading experience.

14. Craigslist

Craigslist has a couple of interesting proofreading job posts, depending on your area.

15. Scribbr

Scribbr has a meticulous screening process, but once you pass, you will gain access to tons of proofreading projects.

16. Cactus Communications

If you are looking to make working remotely a full-time job and your main source of income, Cactus Communications will allow you to choose. However, you might need a college degree for this option.

17. Polished Paper

Polished Paper has a reputation for giving higher pay. However, it is quite challenging to get in, especially if you don’t have enough experience. It includes a test and various levels of screening.

18. EditFast

EditFast allows you to create a profile to market yourself to clients. However, the fee is quite pricey but good enough for building your work experience.

19. ProofreadingPal

This website is the perfect option for students enrolled in college. They usually hire students and professionals with a minimum of 3.5 GPA.

20. Freelancer

Freelancer is similar to sites like Fiverr and Upwork. However, the number of proofreading jobs on this site tend to be fewer.

21. Gramlee

Signing up for Gramlee is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is fill out the application form and wait for a response. It is a great company that offers flexible hours and remote proofreading jobs.

If you reached this point in the article, then it means you decided to give proofreading a shot. So let’s go into the details about freelance proofreading.

What is proofreading exactly?

Proofreaders, from the name itself, read and proofread almost any online content. Whether it is a blog post, marketing copy, social media post, or anything else in between, a proofreader ensures that the specific content or draft is bulletproof and ready for publishing.

Sounds simple, right?

It is simple in theory, but this job does require focus. It is a meticulous job that requires patience, the utmost attention to detail, and a good handle on the English language, including an extensive amount of grammar knowledge.

Although you might be confused with the terms “proofreader” and “editor,” they are two completely different things. A proofreader can be an editor, and an editor can also become a proofreader.

Sometimes, writers become their own proofreaders, depending on the job or client. However, having a different pair of eyes to proofread an article is highly recommended due to what is called writers’ blind spots or a writer’s own errors that they failed to spot.

No matter how good a writer is, there may still be lapses in their work. This is where proofreaders come in to look for those gaps.

When a final draft is ready for polishing and preparing the content for publishing, proofreading comes into play.

Whether it is an essay, a transcript, a marketing ad campaign, or anything else in between, a proofreader’s job is to make sure that there are no typos or grammatical errors.

The proofreader also needs to make sure that the content is written in the preferred style set by the client or company.

With that said, proofreaders are essential in most writing processes. It only means that just like writers, proofreading jobs are also in demand for online blogs, marketing, and most other industries.

What does a Copy Editor Do?

Just to provide a clear distinction, a copy editor comes in earlier in the process of writing and proofing an article. They do the bulk of edits needed to improve a draft beyond typos, punctuation, and grammar.

Copy editors are there to make the content clear and consistent, and then makes notes for revision. It is a whole back and forth process between the writer and the editor before the draft makes its way to the proofreader.

Copy editing requires the same skills as a proofreader, so you will most likely see these two terms linked together when you start your online job search.

Proofreading salaries can range from 30k to 50k annually.

It is so much more than a minimum wage, without the hassle of the commute, waking up early, and more.

Just like any other freelance job, proofreading salaries will be based on the amount of work you put in.

My mindset towards freelancing is kind of like a sole proprietorship, where clients come to you to hire your services, as opposed to the conventional job scheme.

Most proofreaders charge per project, word count, or hourly rate, and a beginner proofreader can charge around $10 per hour. This rate can significantly increase, once you have proven your skills and gained enough experience.

Before looking for any work-from-home jobs, one of the most important skills you need to learn is proper time management above anything else.

You might have the right skills that will fit the proofreading job description but, without the ability to manage your time properly, you won’t be as productive.

With a flexible schedule, procrastination is your worst enemy. When working from home, there can be a lot of distractions such as chores, hobbies, and more.

The best tip I can give you if you end up working remotely is to isolate yourself from all the distractions as much as possible. If you can set up your workstation in an isolated area in the house, such as a separate room, it will help a lot with productivity.

Aside from time management, here are some of the most important skills every proofreader should have or acquire:

• Excellent Vocabulary – Any proofreader should have an extensive vocabulary. You can always learn a new word each day and list them down for future use.
• Top-Notch Grammar Skills – Catching spelling errors may be a part of the job, but it does not stop there. You should also know your subject-verb-agreement rules, proper uses of a comma, and most of all, consistency.
• Advanced Writing Knowledge – Some jobs require a certain degree and a higher level of education. You can always take an e-learning course to land a higher-paying proofreading job.
• Attention to Detail – Proofreaders are like quality assurance personnel. They make sure an article or write-up is error-free before publishing, and to catch all the bugs and errors, you will need to be focused and take your time.

Some clients may prefer speed over quality, but make sure you focus on quality and work on a productive workflow later.

Proofreading doesn’t require a high-end computer similar to what will be required for gaming, music production, or graphic design. Still, you must have a stable and reliable setup.

As an online proofreader, you will be working with a lot of confidential documents. Aside from the computer specs, you also need to ensure a safe and secure working environment.

Here are some tools that will almost always come in handy for online proofreaders:

• Grammarly – This proofreading tool can never beat a human proofreader, but it can help a lot in making your copy air-tight. Plus, you can install it as an extension for most word processing software like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, emails, WordPress, and more.

Aside from Grammarly, there are tons of grammar checking tools you can choose from. Other tools that you will need are:

• The Chicago Manual of Style, AP Stylebook, and Mcgraw-Hill’s Proofreading Handbook – These books will help you significantly as a professional proofreader. It contains plenty of useful tips for being a more efficient proofreader.
• Google Docs – Most remote teams use Google Docs, Google Sheets, and other apps included in the Google Suite. Why? Because of its excellent collaboration features. Google Docs allows remote teams to work on the same document in real-time without trading emails or direct messages. Plus, it enables project managers to build a system for tracking the progress of the whole team.

Make sure you set up your Google Drive account because you will most likely need it when you become a proofreader.

As a proofreader, you will be required to proofread many forms of content from emails to PDF files to manuscripts. Because there are so many types of content, you can choose to focus on one or two types.

Although there are differences in writing styles, the main goal will always be polishing and freeing an article from grammatical, punctuation, and structure errors.

Here are some examples of content that you may or may not come across as a proofreader:

• Social Media Content
• Court Transcripts
• User Manuals
• Press Releases
• School Tests
• Restaurant Menus
• Medical Transcriptions
• Newsletters
• Legal Transcriptions, and more

Basically, anything you see written online, in newspapers, magazines, or a cereal box most likely went through the eyes of a proofreader.

So, if you are worried about the demand for this line of work, there is enough work out there for proofreaders and editors around the globe.

While there are many advantages to becoming a proofreader, there are drawbacks as well. Before deciding if you are willing to take this route, make sure you weigh out the pros and cons first.

• You get to work remotely
• The flexible schedule allows you to manage your own time and become your own boss
• You can get online proofreading jobs without investment
• You can choose to become a part-time or full-time proofreader
• There is a chance to get proofreading jobs from home even without experience
• Proofreading is a skill that comes naturally to many
• If you want to make it big, you might need to get a degree or undergo formal training
• Deadlines are strict
• Working from home is very different from working in an office, and might take a little getting used to

If you have decided on what kind of proofreading work you want to do, you can do a little quick online search to have a glimpse of what is out there.

With so many options, you are going to need to put the right search term to get more tailored results. Here are some helpful keywords you can type in your search engine, or one of the websites that I will mention later in the article:

• Proofreader
• Academic Editor
• Book Editor
• Online Proofreading Jobs
• Line Editor

Useful Tip: It is possible to find jobs where you least expect it such as social media groups. You can also join freelance groups on Reddit or Facebook to get help and ideas from the community.

Plus, most clients often resort to Facebook groups when hiring freelancers to avoid third-party fees, which has some advantages and disadvantages. When getting jobs outside of these groups, you will be dealing with unverified strangers that may or may not scam you. It is ideal to draft your own contracts for instances like these.

The only advantage, however, is that you can get paid more without the service fees. So, if you decide to take this route, make sure you check out your potential client’s reputation online and ask around within the community.

So, if you have a knack for correcting other people’s mistakes and have a good command of English spelling and grammar, you can become an online proofreader and get paid for it handsomely.

Online proofreading jobs are everywhere, and it is a great place to start your freelancing and independent contractor business.

Just remember to take the job seriously once you get in, and you will never run out of clients or projects.

Becoming a proofreader is more of a business than a job, so the more work you do, the higher you get paid, ultimately leading you to financial freedom.

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21 Websites Offering Legit Freelance Proofreading Jobs

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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.

***HEADS UP: Get 40% off Knowadays courses until September 30 with code FALL40***

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 is it 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.

***Proofread Anywhere is 70% off until October 21 with the code CHANGE70!***

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 median rates that they have compiled by surveying their members. According to the  Editorial Freelancers Association  (EFA), proofreaders can charge between $0.02 and $0.03 per word or between $40 and $50 per hour for proofreading nonfiction (as of January 2024). 

The  Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders  (CIEP) suggests a minimum hourly rate for proofreading of £29.85, and a minimum hourly rate of £34.70 for copyediting (as of March 2024).  

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!

How To Make Money Proofreading: Ultimate 2023 Guide

This page may contain links from our sponsors. Here’s how we make money .

Nowadays, it’s possible to earn money in many different ways. It’s possible to earn online, work remotely, and even find new ways to earn extra income that you wouldn’t have even thought of ten years ago. That’s why more and more people are looking for a side hustle to earn money, and the question is: “Which method is the best?”

Although it’s impossible to find a clear winner, as it depends heavily on personal preferences, it’s possible to give recommendations for the most profitable side hustles in different categories.

Proofreading jobs are increasingly becoming more popular because you can do them remotely and in your own free time, without too many obligations and requirements.

I’ve been working in this field for the last three years and found it such a great opportunity that I decided to write an article about it!

What Is Proofreading?

Proofreading is the process of reading an article after it has been completed by an author to detect inconsistencies and syntactical or grammatical errors, and to ensure that the article functions smoothly.

Depending on your language and grammar skills, proofreading is a quick activity that you can do in your spare time to earn extra money .

For example, I’m a university student and I picked up proofreading as a side hustle before I even started writing because I was able to proofread a few articles after I got home from the university, making it a time-efficient and profitable side hustle.

Later, I also started writing, a more profitable side hustle but it also requires more creativity, knowledge and time. So it’s less time efficient and only suitable when longer periods of spare time are available.

Proofreading Vs Copy Editing

Often with larger articles or books, it’s necessary to do more than one check to ensure the accuracy of the final product. In these cases, a copy editor is hired to thoroughly check and edit the text for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes before passing the article on to the proofreader.

The main difference between the tasks of these two professionals is that copy editors often have to make structural changes, reorganize the text, add small sections, and rewrite unclear paragraphs.

The proofreader’s job, on the other hand, is to put the finishing touches on the article and make sure that it reads well and doesn’t contain any unclear passages.

Before we go too far, I wanted to introduce you to the ‘gold standard’ of online proofreading courses, Proofread Anywhere . This is NOT a sponsored post (we are an affiliate, but they aren’t involved with this article in any way) we just feel so strongly about the value of this course we wanted to pass it along.

Proofread Anywhere provides the best training for anyone looking to make money (part-time or full-time) as a proofreader. In this free workshop, you'll learn if proofreading is the right fit for you, plus a surprisingly easy way to your ideal clients.

So, in general, copy editing jobs require more responsibility, skills, and time, but they also usually pay a higher rate. However, for smaller jobs, one proofreader is often responsible for both processes, as the structural changes aren’t as big for a short article.

What Are the Pros And Cons Of Making Money Proofreading?

In the course of my experience as a proofreader, I’ve found that this side hustle has more advantages than other common online money-making methods.

First of all, proofreading is an activity that can be performed by practically anyone who has sufficient language skills. Additionally, to find the first jobs and earn money online as a proofreader, you don’t need a certification or a specific qualification.

Secondly, as a student, it’s important for me to have a side hustle that I can do online and on my own schedule, and proofreading offers just that. I can usually do all my online proofreading assignments either after dinner or early in the morning before class and send them to the client for review, without being pressed for time except for a deadline.

On the other hand, proofreading has become very popular, so there is a lot of competition, especially for freelance proofreading jobs. But it’s also true that there are a lot of jobs out there, so in the beginning, you might be forced to lower your price for a few jobs just to gain some experience. But once the ball gets rolling, you should be set!

Another advantage of proofreading services is that each job takes only a short time. So you can work for many clients at the same time, maximizing your profit and time efficiency.

Also, there are many paid AI tools, such as Grammarly Premium that you can use to speed up the process and increase the efficiency of your work. However, it’s important to know that these tools can’t replace proofreading skills and you shouldn’t rely on them completely, as the article might be marked as AI-generated.

How To Start Making Money?

Making money by offering freelance proofreading services or starting your own proofreading business is relatively easy, as a variety of proofreading and editing jobs are posted every day.

Personally, I find proofreading jobs online on major freelancing platforms that allow me to reach more potential clients, gain more experience, and increase my rates. Below, I’ll introduce you to three alternatives that you can use to find the best online proofreading jobs and get started with this side hustle.

Upwork is the platform I use most often and through which I reach most of my clients. It’s set up like a marketplace where clients can post a job and freelancers can apply for it.

The biggest drawback is that in order to apply for a job, a freelancer has to spend “connects,” an in-app currency that is pretty hard to get, especially in the beginning unless you purchase it.

However, I really like this platform because I can choose when I apply for a job and which jobs I apply for, so I can control both the number of clients and the type of clients I work for.

Fiverr, Upwork’s main competitor, works on a completely different basis. On this platform, freelancers post their services and it’s then up to the clients to find the best freelance proofreaders on the platform.

The biggest disadvantage of this method is the fact that freelancers are ranked based on ratings, the number of completed jobs, and money earned on the platform, making it extremely difficult to get a foothold on Fiverr.

Also, to be competitive on the platform, you need to search engine optimize your profile so that it appears on the first page of search results and you have a chance to get your first job.

When I first started using Fiverr, I spent tens of hours researching and optimizing my profile to make sure it appeared on the first page. After a few weeks, I managed to get my page on the first page of results more than 1000 times per day.

But despite this good result, I couldn’t gain as much steam as I did with Upwork. On the other hand, many people I work with say they prefer Fiverr over Upwork. So it’s best to try both and then decide on the best deal for your needs.

This last alternative is for freelance proofreaders who are looking for a more stable job, such as a part-time or full-time proofreading position.

The main advantage of such a platform is the fact that you only have to go through the research process once and after that, you have a secure source of income without having to constantly look for new clients.

Other Viable Options

It’s also important to mention that besides freelancing, there are many other ways to earn money with online proofreading jobs.

For example, it’s possible to set up a website and start a proofreading business that you advertise through Facebook and Google ads.

Once you have acquired enough proofreading skills and experience in proofreading, it’s very easy to find freelance proofreading jobs online. So perhaps you could even adopt a mix of all the above methods to exponentially increase your returns.

Sharpen Your Proofreading Skills and Acquire Certifications

Even though getting started in proofreading is easy and doesn’t require any certifications, it’s always a good idea to acquire some over time to increase your rate and find proofreading jobs online more easily.

There are many free online proofreading courses that will give you all the information you need about the profession. These courses won’t only help you earn more money but would also make you faster at proofreading, and allow you to handle more clients at the same time.

But even though free online courses might provide all the results you need, it’s important to keep in mind that when you buy an online proofreading course , you often get a certificate of completion. You can add these certificates to your freelance profile, which will set you apart from other freelancers without qualifications and significantly reduce the competition you face.

Expand Your Niche

The third step after choosing a platform and getting a certification is to expand your niche. When you’re starting out, it’s always a great idea to choose a small niche, as there is less competition and you can gain your first customers and increase your reputation without much trouble.

However, once you have built a good reputation, you should increasingly expand your niche and comfort zone to attract more customers. It may also be that you have already expanded your niche to include an entire topic. In this case, you could turn to a completely different topic.

For example, when I started proofreading and writing, I chose the stock market as my niche because I’m very interested in it and have a lot of experience with it. Over time, I expanded the niche to cryptocurrencies, forex, financial modeling, and more. And now that it’s summer and I’ve more time, I started working for a couple of automotive websites, another passion of mine.

If you know more than one language, you can also expand your services to proofreading in other languages or proofreading translations.

The most important thing is that the more you expand and grow your freelance proofreading business, the more money you’ll earn!

Build A Solid Client Base And Increase Your Rates

The final step after expanding your reach is to build a solid customer base and increase your rates. Although clients with a one-time project can be a great opportunity if you only have extra free time for a few days, it might be a good idea to compete for longer-term clients if you know you’re heading into a slower period at your college or your workplace.

The main advantage of long-term clients is the fact that you have a steady client base to offer your proofreading services to, without having to constantly apply for online proofreading jobs.

The second advantage is that you can get more accustomed to each client’s writing style and content, making the whole proofreading process faster and more accurate.

Finally, you should increase your fee. If you’re looking for jobs on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, you’ll have to set your rates way below average to get your first job. But after a while, you can raise your rates again.

When I created my Upwork profile, I waited two months to get my first proofreading job. In the meantime, I had sent out hundreds of proposals, but what ultimately helped me get the job were smaller tasks I did for other clients.

In my first two months on the platform, I took jobs like voice recordings or website testing , which paid poorly but were necessary to increase my job success rate and profile ratings. However, by staying consistent, I managed to increase my rates and earn the “top rated” badge on Upwork, helping me land the best online proofreading jobs .

The most important advice I can give freelance proofreaders like you is to set your prices and expectations low in the beginning. In the beginning, a few completed jobs and good reviews are worth much more than a single job with a higher rate. Over time, you can raise your rates to earn it all back!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a freelance proofreader or you have a business offering editing and proofreading services, this side hustle has significant earning potential.

If you decide to go for it, be prepared to work from the comfort of your home, choose the number and type of clients you work for, and get another source of income.

The biggest downside to this side hustle is the fact that it can be difficult to find proofreading jobs for beginners due to the high level of competition. But if you follow the steps in this article, you’ll be able to start your career as a freelance proofreader in no time!

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