Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.
National median · BLS
$51,120
▲ +3.88%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$54,800
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
4,580
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$34,510
25th
$41,170
Median (50th)
$51,120
75th
$62,390
90th — top pay
$79,290
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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⇄
Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Proofreaders and Copy Markers
BLS projects employment of proofreaders and copy markers to decline 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, while employment across all occupations grows 3.5%.
About 1,100 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
8,500 → 8,500
-100 jobs
Projected change
-0.9%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,100
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
No related experience required
Self-employed
25.6% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 4)
Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What proofreaders and copy markers do
Mark copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, using standard printers' marks.
Read corrected copies or proofs to ensure that all corrections have been made.
Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found.
Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors.
Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting.
Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition.
Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions.
Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Proofreaders and Copy Markers, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $51,120.
