Proofreading Jobs from Home

The best online proofreading jobs can help you earn a part-time to full-time income right from your home.

If you possess a natural talent for grammar and spelling, then you have the potential to earn a profitable income by working as a professional proofreader. As a proofreader, you will be responsible for thoroughly reviewing documents to ensure accurate spelling and proper grammar.

The best part is that you do not need special education to work as a proofreader. You can find gigs proofreading if you have a computer, a working internet connection, and a knowledge of the English language.

That said, knowing where to find the best online proofreading jobs can be hard. This is why we put together this guide on the 30 best proofreading gigs you can find right now on the internet.

It’s time to unleash your inner grammar snob and get to work!

What Do Proofreaders Do?

Proofreaders check written documents for mechanical consistency, e.g. spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting, omitted words, etc. Proofreading is usually the final step before a written piece is published.

Proofreading is different from editing. Editing involves revising documents for content, tone consistency, and style. Many proofreaders also offer editing services in tandem with their proofreading work, but they are fundamentally different enterprises.

Copyediting involves aspects of both editing and proofreading, but copy editors are usually focused on a specific subject matter. As such, they also need subject-specific knowledge.

Proofreading Certification & Courses

Several organizations offer proofreader certification and courses so you can improve your professional skills.

Services such as Proofread Anywhere provide courses and provide certifications you can show to clients to get better jobs. The point of certifications is to show clients that you excel at basic proofreading skills or specialized topics.

How Much Do Proofreaders Make?

Proofreaders are generally paid on a word-per-hour basis. The exact payment depends on experience level, content type, and the specific client. Proofreaders can also be paid on a per-project or hourly basis.

According to Glassdoor, the average proofreader makes about $45,000 per year. Top-rated proofreaders can be paid up to $50 an hour.

It is unlikely that you will be making this much right out of the gate, though beginner proofreaders usually start at a rate of around $0.002-$0.005 per word.

As you get more experienced, you can build up a clientele and ask for more money.

Best Proofreading Jobs Online

1. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is another general-purpose gig site that has listings for a wide type of odd jobs.

Proofreading is one of the most popular categories on the site, and also has several “specialty” categories for various proofreader specialists. All jobs offered are purely remote as well.

2. Freelancer

Freelancer is another freelance platform similar to Upwork. You can create a profile, and the platform will match you with clients and jobs that fit your skill set.

3. Lionbridge

Lionbridge offers a wide variety of work-at-home jobs, but one of the most popular services on the platform is proofreading.

You need some experience to get started, but Lionbridge can connect you with excellent opportunities.

4. Craigslist

Craigslist is an excellent platform to find all kinds of odd jobs, proofreading gigs included. You can search for gigs in your geographical area and skill level.

Craigslist is also a great platform for finding private, repeat clients, and it’s 100% free to use.

5. Guru

Guru is another great platform to find proofreading jobs, whether you are a complete newbie or already have some experience.

This site has been around for a long time and has crafted a good reputation among freelancers and clients. Simply fill out a profile, and you can get started looking for jobs.

6. Scribbr

Scribbr is a site where you can find both editing and proofreading jobs. You have to take an initial screening test, and if you pass, Scribbr will take your CV to match you with clients they feel are a good fit.

Before being able to get jobs, you will have to complete a few “simulation” gigs. If you pass, you can then accept gigs.

7. EditFast

EditFast lets you create a profile and then will match you with clients based on your experience and expertise. Clients can browse your samples and then make a decision.

One thing to keep in mind is that EditFAst will take a 40% cut of the final project commission for their services.

8. Book Editing Associates

Book Editing Associates offers proofreading gigs focused on traditional self-published. You need to pass a short copyediting and proofreading test before you can browse gigs, and they only hire 100% freelancers (you cannot have another day job).

You also need to have at least 5+ years of experience, but they pay excellent rates for proofreading work.

9. ProofreadNow

ProofreadNow is another premium proofreading agency that puts its proofreaders through a vigorous vetting process before hiring. They also require that you have up-to-date software tools like Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office.

This site is not always hiring either, but they offer very high-paying gigs for proofreading professionals.

Caitlyn from ProofreadAnywhere made $43,000 per year working about 20 hours every week. She shows you how you can do the same in this ultimate course.

10. Gramlee

Gramlee is a freelancer site that offers work for both entry-level and experienced proofreaders and editors. Clients must pay at least $0.03 a word and have 3,000 words, but some projects will net you more money.

You can apply very easily, but they receive hundreds of applications per week, so you might not hear back immediately. They offer very consistent work though.

Pros and Cons of Proofreading

Pros

Flexible work. As a freelancer, you can choose when and how much you work. You can try to get a full-time load of work or just work a few hours per week.

Work from home. Most proofreading jobs are remote, so you can do them from the comfort of your home. That means you can work in comfortable clothes, take a nap when you want to, and go for a stroll with your dog when you take breaks from working.

Low cost. Aside from the cost of buying a computer, it does not cost anything to be a freelance proofreader. It is also something that can develop into a full-time gig.

Cons

Inconsistent work. You will no doubt go through periods where finding work will be hard. That is just an unavoidable part of being a freelancer.

Deadlines. Freelance proofreaders have to deal with tight deadlines and quick turnarounds.

Useful Proofreading Software

Some of the best tools and applications for proofreaders include:

Grammarly

Hemingway App

PaperRater

WhiteSmoke

Slickwrite

LanguageTool

In our opinion, the most useful proofreading tool is Grammarly. This free browser extension will check documents for grammar mistakes, misspellings, repetitive words and phrases, formatting issues like spacing and punctuation, and other typographical errors.

Grammarly was used to write this very article that you are reading right now!

Proofreading Jobs FAQs

• What does a proofreader do?

Proofreaders check written documents to correct any spelling or grammar mistakes. In other words, proofreading involves checking the mechanical aspects of documents, such as spelling, grammar, missing/omitted words, misplaced punctuation, and formatting issues. Proofreading, along with editing, is one of the most important aspects of the writing process.

• What is the difference between editing and proofreading?

Editing involves revising and changing parts of the document for content, style, and tone. Proofreading involves checking spelling and grammar. Both are important parts of the writing process, but they are fundamentally different.

• Do I need a degree to be a proofreader?

No, you do not need any special degree to be a proofreader. Clients may prefer a proofreader that has a degree, but you do not need one to find work as a proofreader. You just need to have a firm grasp of English grammar and spelling. Completing a course like ProofreadAnywhere can give you credibility.

• Is proofreading hard?

It depends on the kind of documents you proofread. Technical documents with specialized language might be hard to proofread, but simple pieces like blog posts are very easy and can be completed in a few hours max.

• How much can I make as a proofreader?

It depends on your experience level and the kind of documents you are checking. Entry-level jobs tend to pay around $0.005 per word, while the most lucrative gigs will pay up to $0.06-$0.08 per word. Top-rated, experienced proofreaders can make up to $40-$50 an hour.

• What kind of organizations hire proofreaders?

Pretty much every business and organization requires proofreading services at some point. Whenever a company has written documents, it will likely hire a proofreader to check them. You can correct books, marketing copy, blog articles, technical articles, and more as a proofreader. Anything that is written requires proofreading.

Key takeaways

Online proofreading jobs offer a great opportunity for individuals with a keen eye for detail, a strong command of the language, and a passion for language to earn a flexible income while working from home. With the growth of online content, there's an increasing demand for proofreaders, making it a great time to consider a career in this field. However, it's important to note that success in this field requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and attention to detail. As such, it's crucial to constantly improve your skills and knowledge of the language, stay up-to-date with industry trends, and strive to deliver high-quality work to clients. With the right mindset and approach, online proofreading jobs can be a fulfilling and rewarding career choice.

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