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FIND A JOB TO GET PAID TO CORRECT OTHER PEOPLE’S MISTAKES. DON’T WORRY, THEY WANT YOU TO FIND THEM!
Ready to work from home? Here you can find the best proofreading jobs in 2019!
Do you ever catch yourself finding typos or grammatical errors when reading other people’s content?
Do the errors slightly get under your skin and make you want to reach out to the author with a friendly email suggesting corrections they can make to polish their work?
Okay, that may sound like an awkward experience in the making.
The thing is: we all make mistakes, especially when it comes to writing.
A good writer, blogger or author wants their mistakes caught and fixed before their work is published. This is why tons of people are willing to pay someone to proofread and correct their work.
Online proofreading jobs can be completed from home (or anywhere) since all you need is a computer, internet, and some solid proofreading skills. That’s why proofreading is a great job to consider if you want to make money from home.
TOP ONLINE PROOFREADING JOBS (2019)
Click here for more jobs opportunities and the details of how to get a proofreading job online at these companies.
Are you ready to learn more about how to find online proofreading jobs? Let’s start with the basics.
What exactly is proofreading?
Proofreaders are very valuable because their work is often the last line of defense before content goes to publish. Some people get proofreading confused with editing and may even use the two terms interchangeably.
However, the roles are quite different. An editor’s job is to review the writing and check for errors, including misspellings, grammar issues, and bad sentence structure. The editor may send the work back to the writer for revisions.
Once it gets to the proofreader, their job will be to give a final official review. Proofreaders make sure the writing is free of errors. However, your main role as a proofreader is to catch anything that wasn’t exposed during editing and apply final touches to the piece to make sure the writing is fluid, the sentences are well-formed, and the tone is consistent.
Think of it as a quality control job.
Still need some more clarity on the role? This comparison will help!
Proofreading vs. Editing and Copyediting
Editors/Copy Editors:
- Review several drafts of the writing (often kicking off the early revision stage)
- Provide feedback on sentence structure, word choice, etc.
- Fix spelling and grammar errors
- Ensure the project is consistent with certain editorial guidelines and style guides (if it applies)
- Fact checks to the work and makes sure sources are properly attributed
Proofreaders:
- Only reviews the final draft of the writing
- Check to make sure no spelling, grammar or word choice errors still remain
- Make sure the content is consistent and flows well
- Make sure formatting is consistent
Proofreaders don’t perform an overhaul of editing duties like moving paragraphs around, rewriting parts of the content, or commenting on the storyline or characters.
That type of work is reserved for the editor and by the time the work gets to the proofreading stage, you mainly need to do a final review and make some slight tweaks if necessary.
How much does a proofreader earn?
According to Glassdoor, full-time proofreaders make $45,624 on average, with top earners making above $65,000 per year. What you earn varies on your experience and the level of difficulty of the work.
You also need to consider how much you can work. A proofreader with several clients will make more than someone who’s just looking for some extra income and takes on only one or two clients.
Where to find the best online proofreading jobs
So how many people are really hiring proofreaders? And where can you find proofreading jobs?
Convincing someone that they need to hire a proofreader is not a difficult sell. The content industry needs it. Anyone who’s serious about publishing quality writing work could benefit from it.
Here are some real opportunities to land a job as proofreader working from home. Whether you have no experience or you are an expert proofreader looking for an online job, there are websites for all levels.
If you are just starting out, just apply on the websites that accept entry-level proofreaders.
1. FlexJobs
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
FlexJobs is an online job board that lists work from home opportunities on a flexible basis, including remote, freelance and part-time roles. It’s the perfect website to use if you want to start a freelance career. They have a section in which they list all proofreading jobs here.
All job opportunities are carefully screened and checked for scams before they are approved, which means all jobs listed here are legit opportunities to make money.
What’s the catch? It’s not free! You need to pay a $14.95 monthly fee to be able to apply to job listings. The great thing is that there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Which means you can pay the fee and ask for a refund if you don’t want to renew your subscription. No questions asked.
Click here to check it out!
2. Proofreading Services
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Proofreading Services offers full and part-time remote online proofreading jobs. They offer flexible hours, which means you can work from your living room or from a beach in Thailand! Plus they pay an incredibly competitive rate between $19 and $46 per hour depending on the turnaround time.
Once you apply, you need to pass a 20-minute screening test to be able to get any job assigned.
3. Contena
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Contena is more than a job board for proofreaders, editors, and writers. It’s a community where you can find all the resources you need to land a great job. Contena features both freelance jobs and full-time remote jobs, which give you more flexibility to pick what you like.
When you start your Contena membership, you receive access to all of their resources, including Contena Academy which shows you exactly how to get started with freelance writing, if it’s something you want to look into to expand your proofreading gig.
One thing you need to know is that Contena is a paid membership site. They offer a few different membership options, including payment plans to make Contena as affordable as possible. Memberships start at just $42 per month when paid in full for the year. And if you just want to try it out, they offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, to make sure you are happy with their service.
4. Scribendi
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Scribendi allows you to offer freelance proofreading services to clients through the platform.
You can set your own schedule and work as little or as much as you like. Scribendi accepts applicants from all over the world, as long as you have a university degree and at least three years of experience in editing, writing, document production, or language teaching.
You need to be able to proofread at a speed of 1,000–1,500 words per hour and have high-speed internet access plus Microsoft Word 2010 or later on a secure PC (not Mac) computer.
You will be paid in US dollars via PayPal, no matter where you are.
5. Proofreading Pal
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Proofreading Pal offers online proofreading jobs for current college students or anyone with a graduate degree and at least 5 years of proofreading experience. Proofreaders using this platform earn between $500 to $3,000 per month.
If you think you qualify, you need to answer a short questionnaire. Once you’ve submitted it, you should hear from ProofreadingPal within 5–10 business days about the next step of their hiring process.
6. Fiverr
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level
I am not going to lie. You won’t find many high-paying jobs on Fiverr. But it’s a great online portal to get experience when you are just starting out!
Everyone starts at zero on day one. If you put in some time to create a great profile, you should be able to get a few beginner jobs. This will help you to build experience to be able to apply for much better-paying jobs on other platforms.
CASE STUDY 1:
How Caitlin from Proofread Anywhere made $43k a year working par-time!
“I’ve always had a knack for proofreading. When I was in college and studying abroad in Germany, students there would ask me to proofread their essays. I loved helping to turn their writing into masterpieces.
After I graduated, I proofread transcripts for court reporters at a court reporting agency. Well, I got fired from that job (I got my work done early and worked on my own projects when I had spare time, and they didn’t like it). It was a huge shock, but I’m grateful it happened because it forced me to forge my own path and realize that I didn’t have to keep working to fund someone else’s dream.
After that, I kept proofreading part-time for some of those reporters while I studied to become a personal trainer — until I realized I could make a full-time income from proofreading!”
“When I was proofreading, I earned around $43,000 per year. And I only worked on average 20–25 hours a week! I worked when I was most productive, and I wasn’t stuck to a 9-to-5 schedule.
Because I was so passionate about proofreading, I started ProofreadAnywhere.com as a blog back in 2014, and it’s exploded since then. I wanted to share my passion for proofreading with others — so they can start and grow their own freelance businesses as I did.”
Caitlin’s top tips to work as a proofreader:
“The #1 tip I can give to an aspiring proofreader is to invest in training that will teach you how to provide the best service possible.
Training is super important for three reasons:
- It boosts your confidence. Starting a business is nerve-racking. Having confidence in your skills means there’s one less thing to worry about.
- It boosts your client’s confidence in you. Taking a course demonstrates that you’re committed to providing top quality service to your clients.
- It protects your reputation. Learning on the job is a great way to get experience, but it can also mean making lots of mistakes. In the proofreading industry, mistakes are forgiven much less easily! Practicing your craft within the safety of a course means you’ll weed out bad habits and hone your eagle eyes before you work with real clients.”
If you’re a word nerd and you want to earn money reading for a living, check out Caitlin’s free training.
7. Upwork
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level
Very similar to Fiverr, Upwork is one of the biggest freelance websites in the world. And because of that, there are freelancers on it from everywhere, ready to be paid pennies for jobs. This means there is always someone bidding less for every job, which might result in you charging way a much lower rate than you deserve. Upwork also takes a 20% service charge, which can add up to a good chunk of your earnings, especially if you are just starting out.
The advantage of using it is that is a great user-friendly platform that can help you to launch your proofreading career, especially if you have no experience and you are just starting out.
8. Book Editing Associates
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
If you have any experience with traditional or self-publishing, you can apply for a proofreading role with Book Editing Associates. You need to pass a short copyediting and proofreading test in order to qualify.
If you want to apply for a proofreading job with Book Edit Associates you must be 100% freelance (they will not accept people with another day job). And you also need 5+ years of editing experience and a track record of published books that you have edited (traditional and self-published).
9. Cactus Global
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Cactus Global offers work-from-home jobs and opportunities for freelancers. They have over 2000 freelancers working for them and they are rated one of the top 100 companies that offer remote jobs by Forbes.
They normally look for editors and proofreaders who have a medical and scientific background.
If you want to apply for a job you’ll have to take a test that includes 10 multiple-choice questions for correction. The test is designed to assess your knowledge of English grammar, word choice, and sentence construction. The entire test should take about 30 minutes to complete. If you pass the test, you will be invited to take a round of subject-specific tests, followed by interviews.
CASE STUDY 2:
How Melinda from MC Edits makes $3,000-$4,500 a month!
“After having tons of jobs and thinking maybe I had found the right fit more than once, I was always disappointed. My last job was supposed to combine my degrees in teaching and coral reefs. However, the thing I did the most was proofreading. And I realized that I loved doing it! And even better, I could easily do it while working from home or traveling.
When I left that position, I was determined to figure out how to start my own business. I came upon Proofread Anywhere, which helped me hone my skills but also gave me a framework and network to learn how to create the life I wanted. So now, whether I just want to snuggle with my pup all day or go on an adventure to explore the world, I can work AND enjoy my life at the same time!”
“The best place to find a client is where you would least expect it. You have to let people know this is what you do and be persistent. When I started out, most of my clients came from Upwork, but it is very competitive. You need a way to show people what you are capable of. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and find your own routes to get experience.”
10. ProofreadNOW
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
ProofreadNOW looks for people with at least five years of experience as a professional proofreader and you must surpass some tedious and difficult tests in order to qualify for a job there.
You also need to have a reliable internet connection and up-to-date software tools, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Professional (not the free reader). You can check this page to see if they are currently hiring.
11. Prompt
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Prompt pays you to proofread college admission essays. They require a 4-hour per week minimum availability but prefer to hire applicants who can work 10+ hours per week.
Editors who join the Prompt network begin with a compensation of $20/hour for a brief evaluation period. After this period, if you are approved to become a full member, you will receive a raise to $25-$28/hr, depending on your weekly time commitment.
The average Prompt editor earns around $5,000 for the admissions season, with many earning $10,000+.
12. People Per Hour
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level
People Per Hour is a freelance marketplace that offers proofreading jobs regularly. It works a bit like Fiverr and Upwork. There are a lot of offers for proofreading jobs, especially if you are just starting out, but don’t expect to make a lot of money here.
But like Fiverr and Upwork, it’s a great portal to look for entry-level jobs that will give you the experience you need to apply for much better opportunities.
13. Gramlee
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Gramlee is an online service that provides editing and proofreading services. They charge clients $0.03 cents per word for up to 3000 words. Projects with more than 3000 words are assigned a senior editor and may cost more. Which means you might not get paid much if you are an entry-level proofreader. But it’s still worth to give it a try to gain more experience.
You can simply click here to check if they are looking for proofreaders and/or editors. All you have to do is to fill up a simple questionnaire with some basics questions about your experience. They receive hundreds of applications a week, which means the more experience you have the more likely you are to be contacted by their team for an interview.
14. Scribe Media
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
I love the concept of Scribe! Formerly known as Book in a Box, Scribe Media is a publishing company that helps people turn their ideas into books. They look for freelances but also have full-time job opportunities if you are not looking for total freedom.
If you become part of their family, they give you incredible support and training to help you deliver outstanding work. Everyone seems to love working there (have a look at their reviews on Glassdoor).
Salaries seem to change a lot, depending on experience.
Check out their job opportunities here.
15. Wordy
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Entry-level to Experienced
Wordy provides online proofreading and editing services for a fixed fee. They accept every level of experience but the more experience you have, the more likely you are to get jobs.
If you want to apply to work as a proofreader on Wordy, you will need to pass a series of tests to determine your proficiency in grammar and spelling, command of English, ability to spot inconsistencies, and awareness of ambiguities and textual structure.
If you are accepted as a copy-editor on Wordy, you will work as an independent contractor. As a registered copy-editor, you will not be employed by Wordy but will only acquire work through it.
You can check if they have any openings here.
CASE STUDY 3:
How Nikki from Precise and Be Smarter Now makes $4,000-$6,000 a month!
“The catalyst for starting my business was unexpectedly becoming a single mom. After seasonal and part-time work plus assistance from family to make ends meet, I decided to use my writing talents and love for the English language to provide editing, proofreading, writing, and social media services to businesses, writers, and students.”
“I bootstrapped my business instead of seeking funding or investors. Getting my business off the ground and getting the word out was challenging. I was raising two young children, so working from home made sense. I brought them to and from school, attended functions and award ceremonies, and picked them up when sick. Now that they’re older, owning my own business affords me the freedom to schedule personal things during the day as needed.”
“To get started with a proofreading business, I would suggest creating an online presence and joining one or more business networking groups. Online, be the sharer of information and take time to educate people about grammar, punctuation, writing, etc. This will help set you up as a leader in your field. Of course, you should promote yourself too, but this shouldn’t be the primary objective.”
“As a freelancer, you can find work on sites such as Fiverr and Upwork; however, most jobs won’t pay much so use your best judgment. I also recommend joining the American Copy Editor’s Society (ACES). They are a highly supportive group of fellow editors and proofreaders who share a love for the English language and a passion for being precise. Plus, they hold an incredible annual conference, so you benefit from continuing education.”
16. Scribbr
Scribbr helps students editing and proofreading their thesis and dissertations.
If you want to work at Scribbr, you need to be a native English speaker: this is a basic requirement. If you are a native English speaker, you will need to go through a rigorous application process, in which you are asked to demonstrate your technical grammar knowledge, familiarity with academic writing and an understanding of editing principles.
If you pass the test, you also complete the Scribbr Academy training program, in which you will learn how to edit for students.
Once you become an approved Scribbr editor, you can expect to earn €20-€25 ($22-$27) per hour, depending on the assignment.
Click here to learn more.
17. Cambridge Proofreading & Editing
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Cambridge Proofreading & Editing has a network of more than 150 editing professionals, covering the full spectrum of academic subjects. They have an incredible team of talented editors and proofreaders, which means you need to be experienced to stand a chance to be hired here.
In order to qualify, you need to be an English native speaker and need to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
And you need to be able to commit to at least 10,000 words editing per week.
If you get hired, you can earn an average pay of $20–$30 per hour, paid weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly—it’s up to you. Check out all the requirements and details here.
18. Polished Paper
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Polished Paper offers proofreading and editing services and normally looks for experienced editors and proofreaders. If you want to be considered for a job with them, you need to register for a user account and upload your resume. You will then be directed to a 35-question editor test.
If you pass the test, you will then be contacted by their team for a follow-up interview.
19. Edit 911
PROOFREADING JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Experienced
Edit 911 offers home-based job positions for proofreaders and editors enabling them to proofread work without having to leave their homes. Before applying for a position on the site, you need to make sure you meet their minimum requirements:
- A PhD in English or another writing-intensive discipline
- A published scholar, with demonstrable talent and skills as a writer
- A teacher and/or book editor with verifiable experience
- A master copy editor and expert in various documentation styles, such as MLA, APA, and Turabian
- Proficient in MS Word and at least one other software application, such as InDesign or Publisher
If you meet all these qualifications, you can send them your resume and a sample of your writing. They normally respond within 48 hours!
20. EditFast
EditFast is a portal that lists online jobs for both proofreaders and editors. In order to be able to apply for jobs, you need to register online. If you are accepted, you will work as a freelancer.
To start the application process, you need to upload your resume, take an editing test, sign a non-disclosure agreement and build an online webpage with all your details. You will then need to wait for EditFast to approve your application.
Once your profile is activated, you will be able to review all new jobs and apply. You will be paid via PayPal once the job has been completed. Please keep in mind that EditFast will keep 40% of the final price, which is a big cut of the profit!
Click here to apply.
CASE STUDY 4:
How Edee from BossLady Creatives makes $500-$1,500 a month in her spare time!
“I decided to start my business because I was already copy editing/proofreading for a science fiction author, and I wanted to share my expertise and skills with other writers. I am lucky to have a spouse who could support us financially, but I wanted to contribute, even if it was in a small way.
I’m a big believer that as women it doesn’t matter if we are out in the corporate world or are at home raising the next generation. It is crucial that we can support ourselves on our own. I also wanted control over my time and the freedom of working from home.”
My best tip to get started is to find small jobs at job curating sites like Fiverr or Upwork.
Use smaller paying jobs to save up for membership to organizations like the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA). You will be part of a directory of editorial freelancers of all stripes. I have had clients find me in the directory there.
You will also have access to the job board and can bid on jobs that way. When you do good work for your clients, they will tell others, and you will build up a word-of-mouth clientele, as well.”
The tools to make your proofreader’s life easier
Proofreading allows you the freedom to work from anywhere. However, there are still some tools that would make your life much easier as you do your work.
Here are the top tools for proofreaders that my proofreader friends recommend:
- Google Docs: most people have as Gmail or GSuite account. Having Google Docs allows you to easily share documents with clients and leave comments for review.
- Grammarly: Grammarly is a great tool to help with basic grammar and sentence structure editing. Again, your editor will take on the bulk of this work, but using Grammarly makes it easier to perform a final check.
- Hemingway App: this is a helpful free tool that can point out issues with sentence structure, word choice, and overall readability. I love how it pinpoints how certain parts of the content can be improved to boost the quality of the writing overall.
- McGraw Hill’s Proofreading Guidebook: this affordable proofreading handbook serves as your guide through the proofreading process by offering step-by-step instructions
- A style guide: depending on the client and the work, you may need to follow a specific style guide so it’s important to have some on hand or at least be knowledgeable about common writing styles like AP and Chicago Style. Here is a list of the different styles you can consider reviewing.
What skills do I need to to find proofreading jobs?
First of all, proofreaders should be skilled in written English. You may think that everyone who speaks English has this skill, but written English is different.
It’s important that proofreaders have an in-depth knowledge of the rules and best practices when it comes to proper grammar, sentence structure, word choice, and how information is presented.
You may need to follow a style guide but will also need to quickly determine whether certain words and phrases are clear and consistent with the main idea of the content.
You’ll also need to have solid communication skills, be able to work well independently and meet deadlines, and have an eye for detail. Since you’ll be the last line of defense before something gets published, it’s important that you know how to spot inconsistencies and make sure things like page numbers, image captions, and headings are all accurate and match the formatting.
As with all skills sets, practice and implementation is key. The best thing you can do as an aspiring proofreader is to work on developing these skills over time.
To recap, these are the top skills you need to get proofreading jobs:
- Skilled in written English
- In-depth knowledge of English grammar
- Attention to details
- Great communication skills
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
Do I need any qualifications to become a proofreader?
You don’t need a special degree or certification to become a proofreader. But, some training is essential to help you find your first client much faster, as Melissa said.
Some proofreaders take online courses or attend training events to brush up on their skills. Doing this will also help you to try your hand at proofreading and gain some experience before you start seeking out clients.
Most companies require that the candidate have a strong understanding of the English language as this would allow them to recognize and correct editorial stylistic inconsistencies.
They also look for strong typing skills, attention to detail, proficiency in basic computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Word and some hands-on proofreading experience. Some positions require a degree but don’t really specify the area of study so you can likely use any past degree you have to qualify for a proofreader role – perfect for anyone looking to start fresh and pivot their career path!
Ready to work from home as a proofreader?
Work from home as a proofreader can be a great way to earn a flexible income. You can seek out online proofreading jobs or build your own business by marketing your skills.
If you’re ready to get started, begin by developing some of the core proofreading skills you need and work on some sample assignments.
And if you spot any grammar or spelling mistakes above, feel free to practice your proofreading skills and leave a note in the comments!
I promise not to get upset!
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If you are interested in starting your own blog, have a look at my step-by-step guide! I will show you everything you need to do to start a successful money-making blog!
Check out all the best resources for your blog! I find all these resources so valuable and I am sure they will help you as much as they helped me.
Mosab Alkhteb says
Well, I have been searching about sites that offer proofreading jobs and I read many articles. This is the best one so far! Thank you so much.
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Thank you so much, Mosab! Glad it was helpful 🙂
Arla says
Excellent tips and guidance on how to begin an online proofreading business. Thank you for this post.
BTW, I believe there may be 8 ‘mistakes’ in the article.
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Oh Arla! Now you need to tell me which one they are or I won’t be able to sleep 😉
Jennifer says
This is such a wonderful resource on how to earn money proofreading! Thank you. And, since you invited your readers to report any errors, I’d like to point out a typo in Case Study #1. “How Caitlin from Proofread Anywhere made $43k a year working par-time!” It should be part time, and I could be wrong but I think a dash is only used when “part time” is being used as an adjective, and here it is used as an adverb. 😉
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Oh, thanks Jennifer!
That’s a good point! 🙂
Jerrold Harris says
Very useful article, thanks for sharing this. This work can be both a way to earn extra money, and as a whole career. In such difficult times as now, when we have to sit at home, I think this is a great opportunity to try ourselves in something new and earn a few dollars to pay bills. I heard a lot about some of these services and have long wanted to try. But due to work, there was not enough time, and now there is plenty of it during quarantine. I will definitely take advantage of this, good luck!
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Thanks, Jerrold! I hope you and your family are well. And yes, using this time to learn something new is the best thing we can do 🙂
samara morgan says
nice article!
Sara @ Gathering Dreams says
Thank you, Samara 🙂