Proofreaders and copy markers salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $51,120 | $24.58 |
| Mean (average) | $54,800 | $26.35 |
| 90th percentile | $79,290 | $38.12 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Proofreaders and copy markers pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 29 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $57,490 | $34,320 | $81,500 | 300 | 0.55 |
| Colorado | Data unavailable | 120 | 1.39 | ||
| Connecticut | Data unavailable | 70 | 1.45 | ||
| District of Columbia | $68,120 | $44,130 | $103,200 | 50 | 2.66 |
| Florida | $35,610 | $33,620 | $119,150 | 200 | 0.68 |
| Georgia | $49,200 | $34,980 | $58,910 | ||
| Illinois | $50,060 | $33,950 | $77,030 | 300 | 1.66 |
| Indiana | $40,920 | $36,530 | $51,030 | 80 | 0.85 |
| Iowa | $44,680 | $38,430 | $66,350 | 110 | 2.36 |
| Kansas | $51,160 | $24,960 | $67,760 | 90 | 2.18 |
| Kentucky | $46,380 | $41,200 | $72,830 | 70 | 1.19 |
| Maryland | $53,920 | $42,900 | $65,530 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,160 | $51,870 | $74,480 | 190 | 1.74 |
| Michigan | $35,530 | $32,180 | $63,090 | 140 | 1.05 |
| Minnesota | $49,450 | $42,720 | $57,590 | ||
| Missouri | $52,920 | $28,600 | $69,850 | 110 | 1.22 |
| New Jersey | $56,700 | $38,560 | $81,400 | 160 | 1.27 |
| New York | $59,740 | $39,080 | $97,300 | 1,030 | 3.61 |
| North Carolina | $46,140 | $36,020 | $56,730 | 70 | 0.45 |
| Ohio | $55,560 | $29,670 | $71,980 | 100 | 0.64 |
| Oklahoma | Data unavailable | 40 | 0.77 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $47,510 | $38,000 | $82,340 | 230 | 1.27 |
| South Carolina | $42,900 | $35,670 | $60,390 | 40 | 0.53 |
| Texas | $41,990 | $32,010 | $65,460 | 200 | 0.47 |
| Utah | $42,840 | $38,560 | $52,920 | ||
| Virginia | $48,090 | $41,270 | $60,510 | 90 | 0.7 |
| Washington | $53,890 | $39,990 | $105,840 | 60 | 0.53 |
| West Virginia | $36,730 | $22,060 | $68,910 | 50 | 2.63 |
| Wisconsin | $43,630 | $28,400 | $62,820 | 60 | 0.74 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for proofreaders and copy markers
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,100. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 25.6%.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for proofreaders and copy markers
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Journalism CIP 09.0401
- English Language and Literature, General CIP 23.0101
- Writing, General CIP 23.1301
- Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other CIP 23.1399
- Business/Corporate Communications, General CIP 52.0501
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Adobe Creative Cloud software (in demand)
- Adobe Illustrator (in demand)
- Adobe InDesign (in demand)
- Adobe Photoshop (in demand)
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Microsoft Word (in demand)
- Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Adobe After Effects (hot technology)
- HubSpot software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Visio (hot technology)
- WordPress (hot technology)
- Adobe Captivate
Transferable skills for career changers: Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.
Common job titles: Copy Editor, Copyholder, Editorial Assistant, News Copy Editor, Proofer, Proofreader, Typesetter.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do proofreaders and copy markers make?
The national median annual wage for proofreaders and copy markers was $51,120 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $34,510 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $79,290. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do proofreaders and copy markers need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is proofreaders and copy markers a growing career?
BLS projects employment of proofreaders and copy markers to change -0.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,100 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay proofreaders and copy markers the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were District of Columbia ($68,120), New York ($59,740), California ($57,490). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.