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How to Become a Proofreader: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever wondered how to become a proofreader?

If you’re interested in scoring well-paid proofreading jobs that you can carry out from the comfort of your own home this Mum’s Money guide will take you through everything you should know.

So you can decide whether or not running your own proofreading business would really work for you.

Table of Contents

How to Become a Proofreader- Is It for You?

Proofreading is not the same as copy-editing, the role of the proofreader, english language, punctuation, capitalization, proofreading for publishers, specialised proofreading, proofread anywhere, louise harnby proofreader, freelance sites, get editing jobs, mediabistro, proofreading services, onespace freelancers, writing jobz, proofreading pal, polished paper, english trackers, employed proofreaders, how do i become a proofreader with no experience, what qualifications do you need to be a proofreader, do you need to be certified to be a proofreader, how much money does a proofreader make, do proofreaders make good money, just for fun – proofreading quotes, how to become a proofreader – final thoughts.

Proofreading skills are in demand, and therefore online proofreading jobs are more plentiful than ever before.

If you want to become a freelance proofreader, there’s never been a better time to do it.

Why is this? All sectors of our lives are moving increasingly online, and – in a nutshell – this is what makes a proofreading career such a great idea right now.

With so many sites covering every single sector, there is so much content out there on the web.

Every single bit of content you read will have been proofread at some point.

Even when professional writers are responsible for content creation, there is no substitute for someone else casting a fresh, trained eye over their copy.

This is the case even when autocorrection is applied, as machines simply cannot tell as well as humans whether or not a piece of writing flows well.

A professional proofreader is responsible for ensuring every single bit of copywriting is as good as possible.

This means it should be free from grammatical errors, with correct spelling and a lack of punctuation errors.

The latter is something that software is not great at picking up on.

Could you be the one to ensure that what freelance writers produce is the best it can be?

The surprising thing is – establishing a career built around offering proofreading services may not be as tricky as it sounds.

In fact, if you have an interest in everything to do with the written word, you could already be well on your way to becoming a successful proofreader.

Any good proofreader will tell you that a love of reading is a must, as that’s what professional proofreaders will spend the lion’s share of their time doing.

The fact that you’re here reading this article means that you probably already have a keen interest in taking on your first proofreading job sometime in the future.

Once you’ve read this article, you’ll have learned all you need to know so you can set up your own business, converting something that already interests you into extra money – or even a full-time income.

From what proofreading involves, how much it pays and proofreading courses to where to find job postings from prospective clients, any aspiring proofreaders should start right here.

Can you spot grammar mistakes easily?

In fact, do you read ‘grammar mistakes’ and think the phrase might be better worded as ‘grammatical errors’?

Would you spot it if this post used the term ‘proof reading’ here and there, and note it as an inconsistency?

If the answer to the above questions is a resounding yes – and especially, perhaps, if these little faults actually bother you – then the lack of a formal education or qualification need be no barrier.

Proofreading is much easier when spotting errors or inconsistencies comes naturally.

So, if that describes you, then you already have a head start!

There are other required skills, however.

A great proofreader will also be capable of concentrating on the task for long periods of time.

They have the self-belief to attract clients and the ability to keep them.

Once established, like any freelancer, a proofreader will often obtain new business via word of mouth.

Repeat clients will also return for more if the service you’re offering is reliable, with the work completed to a high standard and in a timely fashion.

You, therefore need to be something of a self-starter. Are you self-motivated, and can you manage your time effectively?

Can you deliver a piece of work or project that you’ve committed to, and carry out your own research where required?

If the answer is yes… then proofreading really could be the career choice for you.

Whether you have an English degree – or indeed any bachelor’s degree – or not.

From novels or factual articles to academic papers or legal documents, there are lots of proofreader jobs just ready for the taking.

So why shouldn’t you grab a piece of the action?

What is Proofreading?

The fact that you’re reading this article means you may already have a pretty good grasp of what an online proofreader does.

It is important, however, to make some distinctions clear at the outset.

The terms proofreading and copy editing can often be used almost interchangeably, but they are not quite one and the same thing.

An experienced or certified proofreader earns a crust from spotting inconsistencies, errors and the incorrect use of grammar.

They do not, as a rule, restructure articles or rewrite content. A copy editor, however, would get involved with that.

The roles posted on many job boards will be looking for someone who can do both, so you could end up getting involved in doing some copy editing as well as proofreading when you take on that role.

A trained or experienced proofreader will check that all kinds of copy are correct before they go live on a website or into print.

If you become a proofreader, you could work with all kinds of content, from academic writing such as white papers to the hottest new novel to hit the publishing house.

Whether you work for a lawyer, a blogger, an academic, a private company or a publisher, proofreading could take you from product descriptions to user manuals or documents produced by court reporters to eBooks and practice essays.

As well as much more.

The skills of the proofreader

We’ve already covered that a great proofreader needs a top-notch command of the English language, so now we’re delving into some specifics.

These are some of the skills proofreading job seekers really need to master.

Is English your first language, and if not, is it up to that level?

A proofreader will need a better command of English than the average person, so if it isn’t up to that standard, then this may not be the career for you.

As a proofreader, you will spend most of your time reading.

The clue is in the job title! If you love reading – and find you always notice typos and grammatical errors in the process, then you’re already halfway there.

Of course, it’s about spelling words correctly, but it goes a little deeper than that. Do you really know where to use ‘affect’ instead of ‘effect’?

Knowing when to use a comma, a semi-colon, a colon, a dash, or brackets can be critical when ensuring a text flows as well as it could.

There’s no such thing as ‘potato’s’, unless the potato actually possesses something (such as, perhaps the ‘potato’s beef chilli and cheese topping’. ‘ Tomatoes ‘ are a different matter, as this is the plural form of tomato.)

There could be some tense moments between you and your client if you fail to spot the incorrect use of the past, present or future tense, prompting them to ask ‘why did you not saw that simple mistake?’

Are you familiar with when to begin words with a capital, such as when referring to a given name or an official title?

Sometimes, those who want to become a proofreader in certain sectors will need a full understanding of the required formatting.

This could be as simple as how to mark subheadings correctly for uploading into WordPress or may concern whether the text is laid out in accordance with a specific format. Specific technical training may be required in this case.

How you draw the client’s attention to an error or adjustment can also be critical.

You may agree to a simple system between you, such as using highlighted or red text, but for something like a publishing house, you may be required to adhere to a set of rules for marking each point.

This is because you must universally understand the system, the publisher and the typesetter.

Types of Proofreader

There are several kinds of proofreader.

Some specialise in a certain area, such as academia, law, medicine, science or technology, while others work in more generalised context.

There are pros and cons of each.

General proofreading

Anyone who creates or commissions written material may require the services of a proofreader.

So your clients could include students, bloggers, copywriters and businesses, all of whom may wish to have their content checked over before submission or publication.

A general proofreader may also work for a publishing company.

Checking over work before it reaches the final stage of production is critical to the publishing house that wants to project a professional image, as content containing errors does not give the best impression of their business.

Publishers are likely to employ experienced proofreaders rather than rookies, however. If you fancy this line of work, it could be something to aim for in the future.

If you do have the know-how to work in a specialised field such as medicine, law, academia or science, you may well find that you can command higher rates for proofreading jobs.

This is not one to blag your way into, however.

You may be required to understand how court reporters put together a picture of the day’s legal proceedings, for instance, complete with all the required legal jargon.

To check over an informative article in a scientific or technical field may require familiarity with what the author is writing about, while anyone working in the academic field would benefit from having a degree in the appropriate subject.

Medicine is another area that can be littered with jargon, and if you don’t know what the terms mean it will take you far longer to finish the task of proofreading a piece.

If you do have the required knowledge – congratulations. You could be on the fast track to higher rates of pay, even from the start!

Proofreading Courses

So do you need to take a proofreading course?

The short answer is no – but you may feel more comfortable about prospecting for clients when you’ve armed yourself with some insider knowledge.

Some taster courses are available for free , so you have nothing to lose by trying one out.

Proofread Anywhere is one of the most respected, and host Caitlin offers a free 76 minute workshop to introduce you to what proofreading is all about.

Check it out here .

There are various courses on Udemy. As they’re very affordable they are definitely worth at least a look.

We recommend filtering your search by the top rated, which quickly and effectively separates the wheat from the chaff.

Take a look right here .

For an inside glimpse into the world of proofreading and editing, take a look at Louise Harnby’s website.

As one of the best in the business, she really does know what it takes – and can share that with you via her range of courses .

Where to Find Proofreading Jobs

So where so you start when you want to find work in the varied and rewarding proofreading field?

Here are Mum’s Money’s recommendations, sorted by type.

Freelance proofreading jobs

The usual freelance sites such as Upwork, Freelancer, CloudPeeps and Fiverr are great for beginners.

It’s completely free to sign up, and you can be connected with all kinds of potential clients from across the globe.

Networking via LinkedIn can be a great way to secure proofreading gigs.

It takes a little time to make the right contacts, but you may need just one to get the ball rolling.

Having your own professional website, even if it’s just a few simple pages, can help to make you look the part.

Recruitment sites

Get Editing Jobs is like Indeed, but focuses purely on editing roles rather than general employment.

It’s a good place to start your search, as it gives you an idea of what’s out there. Take a look here .

This site concentrates on connecting job seekers with creative and media-related roles.

You can share your email address to receive alerts, so if a suitable gig pops up you can get in there quickly. Find out more here .

Reedsy acts as a go-between for those who need proofreaders and those who can provide this service. You’ll have to fill out your profile to get started.

Specialised sites

Proofreading Services accept applications from all over the world.

At the time of writing, they pay between USD $19 and USD $46 per hour. To apply, you need to take a 20-minute test, which you can access here .

EditFast want to find writers, editors and proofreaders, and have a longer signing up process than with others.

While they require skills, they do not specifically state that you need experience, making this a good bet for beginners.

This site sometimes has proofreading jobs available – as well as other positions in the likes of graphic design and transcription .

You can sign up with OneSpace Freelancers even when there are no suitable vacancies, and they may make contact if something comes up.

This site is searching for proofreaders to work in various fields such as academia, book publishing and blogging.

So it’s simple to find something that suits you. Read all about Writing Jobz here .

Scribendi employ proofreaders and copy editors to work remotely. Hundreds of freelancers are on their books.

This Canadian company is committed to supporting their freelancers and offer full support, incentives and the chance to connect with others.

Find out more here .

Gramlee say they’re seeking editors, but as the work involves fixing errors in the text it can be classed as proofreading.

You’ll need to submit an online application and wait to see if Gramlee gets in touch. See the form here .

Wordvice offers opportunities for freelance editors and proofreaders.

They have some pretty prestigious clients, such as top universities, and can be a great source of ongoing work.

Proofreading Pal employs both students and experienced graduates, so you will need to hold – or be studying for – a college degree for this one.

You will also need access to certain software. Fill out the online form to apply.

A timed test would be the next stage of the process if someone does contact you.

If you are prepared to learn editing systems like APA, CSE, MLA and Chicago formatting, then you might find success with Polished Paper .

Guides to these can be found on the website. You’ll be asked to complete a test comprising 35 questions, and to upload your resume.

This one is more niche – you’ll require either a PhD or experience to sign up.

If you do have a doctorate, you may be able to secure work through English Trackers as a beginner.

Otherwise, it’s perhaps one to reserve for when you’ve built up some experience.

If you want to work from home as a proofreader, the good news is that many companies now hire remotely.

This gives you more job security , but is less flexible than freelancing. Try recruitment sites like Indeed if this option appeals to you.

How to Become a Proofreader – FAQs

When you’re wondering how to become a proofreader, the key factor to remember is that it all starts with your drive and determination to succeed.

So ask yourself this before you even seek out a proofreading test.

What’s stopping you, if you want to find proofreading jobs that are interesting and will pay well?

Beware of ‘impostor syndrome’. There’s nothing special about those people who’ve already built their own proofreading business.

Try looking at it this way – the fact that they are a successful proofreader in fact simply shows you that it can be done.

As long as you can spot spelling and punctuation errors, are willing to develop your proofreading skills and can deliver work on time, you too could be the proud owner of a professional proofreading business.

A formal education is not required to become a proofreader, though having a bachelor’s degree may initially give you an advantage.

The ideal qualification for some is – quite understandably – an English degree, as this inspires confidence in your grasp of language, grammar and spelling.

If you have that qualification, so much the better, but if not, there’s no need to despair.

A degree-level qualification does not mean that the holder necessarily has a superior understanding of sentence structure or can get to grips with Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

In time, most proofreading jobs will likely come your way due to word of mouth.

So if you can recognise key errors, check for the correct spelling and use of grammar and deliver work on time, you also have a head start.

Not that many online proofreading jobs will actually require certification.

Experience, the ability to do the job and reliability are far more important.

If you see getting certified as part of the path towards becoming a freelance proofreader, then maybe that’s the route you should take.

Having training is never going to be a disadvantage – quite the opposite.

Not every successful proofreader has had any formal training, but taking a course may give you the confidence to carry through with your plan.

A good course will also equip you with skills that will be useful when it comes to doing the job – as well as making you stand out from other job seekers.

If getting certified would push you into seeking your first paid proofreading job, then by all means go for it!

However, unlike other professions, no certification is required to work as a proofreader in the US – nor in various other countries, such as the UK.

What you’ll be paid for your first proofreading job and several years down the line may differ widely.

Like all roles, proofreading work is more time-consuming for those without experience, and it therefore follows that you may be paid a lot less at first.

How much proofreaders earn depends on various factors, including the employer, the nature of the work and your expertise.

Like any freelancer starting out, you’ll probably find that potential clients want to pay you less than someone more established.

If this seems unfair, try putting yourself in their shoes.

Would you pay a rookie as much as an experienced contractor for other services, such as household repairs or bookkeeping?

In time, experienced proofreaders earn more than beginners.

That is likely to seem a lot more fair once you’ve joined those ranks in a few years’ time!

According to Indeed , the average salary for a proofreader in January 2022 was over USD $22 per hour.

As a beginner, you can expect to earn less, and as time goes by and you gain experience, you’re likely to earn considerably more than that.

Indeed also goes on to list some of the top US companies hiring proofreaders.

At the top of the pile, Medicins Sans Frontieres are said to pay over USD $41 per hour.

One of the proofreading sites Mum’s Money recommends, Proofreading Services, pays around USD $19 to $46 per hour, for instance.

Whether you consider that ‘good money’ is down to your lifestyle – and what you’re comparing it with.

What is your current or most recent hourly rate? How high are your outgoings? What kind of lifestyle do you want?

Factors other than cold hard cash should also be borne in mind.

What is being your own boss worth, as well as having no travel time or expenses and working exactly where and when it suits you?

‘I was working on the proof of one of my poems all the morning and took out a comma. In the afternoon, I put it back again.’ – Oscar Wilde.

‘You’re never “keeping it real” with your lack of punctuation and proofreading; you’re keeping it unintelligible.’ – Austin Kleon.

‘One of the mugs Robin saw said Keep Clam and Proofread’ – Robert Galbraith.

We hope this article has helped you on the way to becoming a professional proofreader.

If you’ve decided to go for it, you have nothing to lose by giving it a go.

For avid readers, it’s a dream career, and the fact that you can work as and when you like is just the icing on the cake.

About Emma Healey

Emma is a recognised family finance and budgeting expert and founder of Mum's Money. Her advice has been featured in Stuff, NZHerald, Readers Digest, Yahoo Finance, Lifehacker, The Simple Dollar, MSN Money and more.

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Last updated on Oct 18, 2021

Remote Proofreading Jobs and 26 Places to Find Them

With working from home becoming more common than ever before, remote proofreading jobs are gaining a lot of traction. Amongst the online jobs you can do, checking grammatical and spelling mistakes sounds like one of the easiest ones to pick up. But what exactly  does this kind of work entail, how much would it earn, and most importantly, how do you search for legitimate as well as rewarding proofreader jobs? These are all valid questions, the answers to which you can find right here.

What is proofreading?

To proofread is to go over a document’s final draft with a fine-tooth comb, searching for grammatical, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Unlike the job of a copy editor, you don't have to concern yourself with language style or voice. It may seem simple, but it requires a thorough understanding of not just the English language but also the appropriate manuscript formatting styles.

Web content, academic papers, and many other types of writing — To proofread and correct each of these kinds of content requires a thorough understanding of its preferred language and formats.

Because of their project-by-project nature, it is common for the gigs you get in this sector to be online, freelance proofreading jobs.

Becoming a proofreader and securing remote jobs

Luckily, you don’t have to go through intensive training or education to become a proofreader. Preferably, you'd have a bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, or a field relevant to the kind of content your hope of proofread. (To proofread for a medical company, you'd need background in medicine, for example.) Other than that, a certificate of completion for a proofreading course can make your profile much more appealing to potential clients. To get started on the right foot, consider:

🎓 Taking a training course via societies such as the  Editorial Freelancers Association ;

📝 Brushing up on style guides (APA, Chicago, and AP Styles);

💻 Creating a profile and following relevant groups/hashtags (this may include creating your own website, a LinkedIn, or a professional Twitter account);

✅ Being flexible about the kind of job you take on (work from different industries, projects involving copy editing ).

You can get more tips in our comprehensive guide on how to become a proofreader . If you’re all clear about the set up, let’s discover all the places that you can find remote jobs for proofreaders.

26 places to find remote proofreading jobs

Below are all the sites that offer legitimate freelance proofreading jobs. We’ve divided the list into two parts: one for those with experience and qualifications, and one for those without.

If you’re going into proofreading with certificates, graduate qualifications, or expert experience, here are the sites that you should check out. 

1. ProofreadingPal

Specializing in academic proofreading,  ProofreadingPal  prides itself on having a highly experienced staff. Because its scholarly projects, the editing skills required by this site are very advanced and specific. To secure a remote proofreading job on this site, you need to be a postgraduate student with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or have a graduate degree along with minimum five years of experience.

If you have a PhD in a writing-intensive discipline,  Edit911  is a good candidate for some remote work. Its proofreading services also tend toward high-level academic editing, so experience is crucial. And as it caters to a worldwide audience, having a strong grasp of a few manuscript styles will be plus.

WordsRU  is great for those who work from home, because it welcomes job applicants from all over the world, as long as they have at least a Master’s degree or higher. It offers a wider range of services for customers, including fiction manuscripts and web content, so its proofreaders receive a variety of projects.

4. American Journal Experts

Similar to WordsRU,  AJE  offers online proofreading jobs for those who have been or are currently enrolled in higher education at universities approved by  the Carnegie Classification . And as the name suggests, this online proofreading opportunity is more suitable for those based in America.

You may or may not have a PhD or a Master’s degree, but if you do have a strong track record in book editing and proofreading,  Reedsy  is the place to be. Our marketplace connects thousands of indie authors with publishing experts (like you!) who can help them produce high quality titles. On average, our professionals set a  proofreading rate  of around $600-$750 per manuscript, though each project varies. (Note that you can set your rates per hour, per word, or per project.)

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6. Polished Paper

Focusing on business and academic editing,  Polished Paper 's proofreader jobs are also suitable for experienced professionals. Instead of proving their qualifications, applicants are asked to complete a 35-question test to demonstrate their editing skills before getting accepted.

7. Managed Editing

Having worked mainly with non-profit organizations and prestigious institutes,  Managed Editing  chooses its freelance proofreaders carefully. A successful applicant will have at least five years of experience and a Bachelor’s degree, although most of its editors and proofreaders have higher qualifications.

8. Wordvice

Apply to  Wordvice  for a more international experience: the company offers editing and proofreading services on essays and business documents for second-language English users. You must have a minimum of two years of experience and a graduate degree to join this team of freelancers. (And needless to say, the remote jobs they have are available to proofreaders across the world!)

9. Start your own freelance business

This basically means creating your own website (don't forget to have a contact section with your email address in it!) along with a LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook account to spread the word about it. As you are your own boss, you can work from home, a coffee shop, or wherever else you want! Use your credentials and professional connections to attract customers. Combine that with impeccable proofreading services and you’ll grow your freelance business  in no time.

If you’re just starting out or don’t have higher education qualifications — don’t worry, there are plenty of beginner-friendly sites where you can find proofreading gigs and begin amassing professional experience. 

10. Scribendi

If you do have some experience in content production, i.e. you’ve been a copywriter or have edited your university newspaper, you can apply to  Scribendi . Its online proofreading jobs are focused on academic writing from high school to university level, so having a Bachelor’s degree is a must.

11. Scribbr

Scribbr ’s services are tailored to a younger academic audience, and while it doesn’t ask for specific qualifications, applicants do go through a thorough vetting process. To become a remote proofreader at Scribbr, you have to pass a language test and complete several assignments for evaluation (for which you will receive feedback). If you’ve taken an editing course, you should be able to do well.

12. Proofreading Services

Every remote proofreading job available here focuses on academic and business writing. Prospective proofreaders can join the staff part-time or full-time by getting at least 95% on  the site’s 20-minute test , which mainly focuses on grammar and spelling.

As an education-oriented publication,  CACTUS Communications  is constantly on the lookout for academic editors who can help it produce clear, engaging content. It does require at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, but you don’t need any prior work experience in editing and proofreading to find exciting opportunities.

14. Writer’s Relief

A resourceful website for authors,  Writer’s Relief  also provides book editing and publishing services which you as a remote proofreader can get involved in. Since they have  copy editors  going over everything beforehand, you’ll just have to focus on catching the little mistakes that slipped through.

Prompt  provides coaching services for college applicants, helping them with personal statements and essays. You will need to have been a university student yourself, and as the coach you’re expected to give more feedback than just online proofreading. It’s a good opportunity if you want to start with academic editing.

16. OneSpace Freelancers

OneSpace is a site made for new freelancers. There aren’t as many job postings on this site as on other proofreading services, but you do get support and feedback from their staff. They provide advice on how you can work better as a freelancer and build your business. So while you would't necessarily find remote work on this space, it's a good way to learn the craft of maintaining your freelance proofreading business in the long run.

17. Gramlee

From their tagline ("You write, we edti edit.") and service email address, you can already get a sense of how laid-back the staff at  Gramlee  would be. They welcome proofreaders with no qualifications, as long as they work hard to learn and fulfill the team’s guarantee of 24-hour turnover.

Upwork  is one of the biggest marketplaces for freelancers, and the remote jobs for editors and proofreaders you can find on here are often for technical and copy writing. Projects are usually on the smaller side, which means there isn’t always demand for highly experienced workers. Still, it's a good place to get started on your online proofreading career.

19. Flexjobs

Short for  flexible jobs ,  this job board  only posts work that you can do from home, so you don’t have to narrow the search yourself. There are plenty of proofreading jobs across many industries and countries for you to choose from, some of which are even full-time collaborations.

Indeed ’s interface is probably a familiar sight if you’ve looked for work before — it’s a platform that has everything from full-time positions to freelance gigs in all kinds of industries. Though it might take some digging, there are good remote jobs proofreaders can discover.

21. MediaBistro

MediaBistro  is a job board made specific for media-related jobs. You can filter your search to show only remote entry-level editing jobs to see if there’s anything available. Signing up also gets you a job alert round-up when new relevant jobs are posted.

22. Get Editing Jobs

Here’s another  editing-focused job posting site . You can search for remote proofreading jobs and it will automatically show you recent postings that fit the bill. You’ll then have to apply to the jobs on your own.

23. Domainite

Domainite  provides digital marketing services, from web designing to content writing and editing to its clients. You can easily sign up by filling in its form and sending in a writing sample. The scope of the work might go a little beyond the proofreading job, though you will acquire more skills that way!

Are you interested in marketing books? Visit our post on where to find book marketing jobs . 

24. Freelancer

This site  allows you to bid on a proofreading opportunity you can do remotely, and try to win the client over. There are a lot of projects available, so if you lose out on a bid for one, you can always find another!

❗ Note: Some of the rates you see here are much lower than the average as freelancers try to undercut to appeal to clients. Keep that in mind in formulating your own freelance quote .

25. Lionbridge

Lionbridge  is an international platform that offers marketing and business content creation services for firms across the globe. Specifically, its freelancers “test out” firms’ content — giving them feedback, not just on a linguistic point of view but also user experience and SEO. It's a bit of technical proofreading, if you’re interested.

Though it does not provide the highest paying remote proofreading jobs,  Fiverr is still a good opportunity for new freelancers to start their careers. It’s relatively easy to sign up to and create a profile that will attract customers, most of whom will be searching for competent beginners rather than experienced experts.

Hopefully this list will help you find your next remote job and kickstart your career, whether you’re a full-timer looking for side jobs or an aspiring freelancer. Remember to do your research and know what your proofreading service is worth to avoid being undercharged. With that, and a wish of good luck, we’ll send you into the world of freelance proofreading!

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Proofreading Jobs from Home: 12 Best Websites to Find Them (and How to Get Them)

If you have a passion for words and reading, proofreading could be a perfect fit for you. Here are the best places to find proofreading jobs from home, plus what you need to become a proofreader. You’ll also find out if proofreading is well-paid (the answer will surprise you!), and is there really a demand for proofreaders online anymore. Let’s get started!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my  disclosure  for more info.

Best Proofreading Jobs

Do you love reading and words in general?

I remember some of my favorite Christmas gifts as a child were a dictionary (all those glorious words!) and an encyclopedia (yes I’m older than the internet, folks).

If you can relate, a career as a freelance proofreader might be a perfect fit.

In this article, you’ll find out:

How do I become a proofreader?

Is proofreading well-paid?

Is there demand for proofreaders online?

And, where to find proofreading jobs from home.

Let’s get started!

How Do I Become a Proofreader So I Can Get Proofreading Jobs from Home?

Though you can get proofreading jobs from home with no experience, the best way to become a proofreader is to take a program and become certified.

This will make you stand out from the crowd and give you a huge step up to get the best paying proofreading jobs from home.

The gold standard course out there to become a professional proofreader is Proofread Anywhere by Caitlin Pyle .

Caitlin has taught over 15,000 students over 7 years how to become a proofreader.

Sign up for this free 76-minute workshop to find out how to get started as a proofreader.

Is Proofreading Well-Paid with Proofreading Jobs from Home?

Yes, proofreading can be well paid. Annual salaries can be as high as $87,500+ according to ZipRecruiter .

If you have no experience as a proofreader, are just starting out, and haven’t taken a proofreading certificate program, you can expect to start out making much less than this.

The average salary for a proofreader in the United States is $52,635 a year.

If you are looking for part-time proofreading jobs from home, you will likely make less than this.

But yes, on the higher end, proofreading is well-paid, with jobs that pay $45+ per hour.

For 18 other high-paying work-from-home jobs, see this post .

Proofreading Jobs from Home No Experience Needed

If you are looking for proofreading jobs from home with no experience, these are the best sites to look for job openings.

They post proofreading jobs regularly, so if they don’t have any at the moment that are a fit, check back another time.

Best websites for entry-level proofreading jobs from home:

Part-Time Proofreading Jobs from Home

In addition to the above sites for proofreading jobs from home no experience, these places post part-time proofreading jobs from home:

• ProofreadingServices

One of the best things about proofreading as a career, is it can be very flexible. You can be as busy, or as casual as you want with it.

You can take on more jobs and clients when your kids are in school, and take fewer (or none!) over the summer months.

It’s important to meet the deadlines for each job, but you can take on as few or as many jobs as you want. Proofreading is a freelance career that works well if you want a part-time work-from-home job.

Science Proofreading Jobs from Home

You might want to niche down when you become a freelance proofreader.

Just like in blogging, when you choose a smaller niche you can become known for being an expert in a particular area, instead of a generalist proofreader.

This can mean you can charge higher rates.

If you have a background in science, you can apply for science proofreading jobs from home.

The best sites to search for science proofreading jobs from home are:

• Proof Reading Service (PRS) – jobs in academia
• Upwork – academic proofreading

Some of these positions will provide you with a free scientific proofreading course, but you do need the science background. This is a great work-from-home proofreading option if you have a science degree. A master’s degree is required in some cases.

The types of proofreading work you might do as a science proofreader:

• Edit journal articles
• PhD thesis editing
• Manuscript editing
• Medical editing

How to Get Proofreading Jobs from Home That Pay Well

1. be professional.

Two ways to show you go above-and-beyond as a proofreader are:

1) Submit your work ahead of deadlines, not just by the deadline.

If you consistently turn in work early and over-deliver, you will start getting referrals to other clients. You’ll be able to raise your prices as you become in-demand.

2) Have your own professional website listing your proofreading services, certifications, areas of specialization, etc.

It doesn’t have to be complicated to make your own website.

I have created two now (this one and Best Mug Cakes) and coach people on starting blogs of all kinds. Here is my quick tutorial on how to start a blog .

I also run a Blogging Camp a few times a year – it’s a 12-week VIP coaching program that takes you through all the steps to start your own money-making blog.

Get on the waitlist for Blogging Camp here :

Having a landing page/website for your services will make you stand out as professional, compared to proofreaders who just create a graphic to share on social media with their services.

2. Niche Down

As I mentioned before with science proofreading jobs from home, niching down is a way to be able to charge higher prices as a proofreader.

It doesn’t have to be science, you can niche down to whatever your area of expertise is.

If that’s resumes, blog posts, you can offer services in two languages, etc., finding a specific niche will help you stand out as an expert in that area. And experts can charge higher prices.

3. Get Certified

Enroll in the Proofread Anywhere course . You will receive certification after passing the final exam with a score of 90% or higher.

This will help you stand out among the other freelance proofreaders who have not gone through a proofreading certification program . It shows your level of commitment to proofreading, and raises your authority and trust factors for future clients.

Take the free proofreading workshop offered by Proofread Anywhere. You will learn exactly how to get started as a proofreader, and next steps to take for your new work-from-home career!

Is There Demand for Proofreaders Online?

Absolutely! The demand for proofreaders online is only increasing.

Have you read anything online with bad grammar or spelling mistakes?

That is a rhetorical question – we all have.

Think of how many websites, blogs, books, digital products, reports, papers, and more are produced every day.

More and more businesses have increased their online presence since the pandemic started. Anything that is written would benefit from having a proofreader.

See what these proofreaders who took General Proofreading: Theory and Practice have to say:

“Just got my first client! I’m proofreading someone’s debut fantasy novel, and I’m so excited!!”

“Thanks to Proofread Anywhere and Caitlin and Johanna, my resume was chosen for a job interview for proofreading because I had listed my Certificate of Proofreading and got the job. The course has paid off and I am very grateful!”

If you like reading and helping people (but also don’t mind working by yourself)…

Then what are you waiting for?

Click here to get started with  General Proofreading: Theory and Practice

Also read this for 15 Best Websites for Remote Proofreading Jobs That Will Pay You to Read.

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