How Much Do Proofreaders Make?
When people think about working as a proofreader from home, most think of it as a part-time or side gig.
What most are unaware of is the immense potential for building a thriving career as a proofreader and achieving a substantial income.
Have you ever wondered how much proofreaders earn?
When considering a career in proofreading, understanding the earning potential is crucial.
In this blog post, we will explore how much these professionals earn, the factors that affect earnings, and explain how to earn more as a proofreader.
Can you make a living proofreading?
Yes, it is possible to make a living as a proofreader.
Proofreading is a valuable skill that businesses and individuals require to ensure their written materials are error-free and convey their intended message.
It is a viable career option for people with strong language skills and attention to detail.
While the earning potential may vary, you can make a regular income by securing regular clients.
Proofreaders work as freelancers or as employees of writers, publishing houses, editing firms, advertising agencies, or other organizations that produce written content.
Building a successful career as a proofreader often requires a combination of skill, dedication, and marketing efforts.
If you lack adequate proofreading skills, consider taking a course that will guide you through the necessary steps.
I would recommend courses by Caitlin Pyle of Proofread Anywhere.
You should go through her free 76-minute general proofreading workshop that guides you on being a proofreader and finding clients.
Average proofreader salary
In general, the annual salary of a proofreader can range from $30,000 to $60,000 or more.
In such a pay gap, you’ll find experienced and specialized proofreaders earning higher incomes.
The average proofreader's salary depends on experience, location, and industry.
My investigations find the average proofreader salary from various organizations and job sites is as follows:
In a 2022 report by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the annual wage estimates for proofreaders vary between $29,350 to $72,660 with the mean annual wage as $48,770.
According to Salary.com, the average salary of a proofreader residing in the United States is $56,496 with the range being $49,577 and $64,515.
ZipRecruiter, as of 2023, reports the annual average salary for proofreaders is $53,733, with a range of $21,500 and $87,500.
From Indeed.com, the average base salary for proofreaders in the United States is $51,289 per year. This is reported from about 600 salaried proofreaders as of June 2023.
PayScale found the proofreader's average base salary in 2023 as $49,529 per year.
When analyzing the incomes, remember that the figures represent average salaries. Individual circumstances can significantly impact the actual salary.
Proofreaders also have different income structures. You will find some charging on a per-project, per-word, or hourly basis.
It is recommended to research the specific industry and location to get a more accurate understanding of the salary expectations in your area.
Average hourly rates
Charging hourly rates is an approach adopted by many proofreaders.
On average, the hourly rates for proofreading range from $12 to $35.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics gives the national estimate of the mean hourly wage for proofreaders as $23.45.
Salary.com reports that the hourly rate is between $24 and $31 with an average of $27.
On the other hand, ZipRecruiter estimates the average hourly pay for a proofreader to be $26 with the range being $10.34 and $42.07.
They noticed a wide pay gap which provides an opportunity for advancement and higher pay with more years of experience, a higher skill level, and a great location.
The rate from PayScale is lower at $19.74 per hour with a range of $12.75 and $33.67 per hour.
Indeed states the average salary for a proofreader in the United States at $21.64 per hour.
When determining your hourly rates, it's essential to consider the level of experience, the complexity of the project, and market rates.
Aside from the job sites, it’s good to consider the recommended rates by reputable editorial societies around the world.
The recommended hourly rates from some of the organizations are as follows:
The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading suggests the minimum proofreading rate as £28.65 per hour.
Editorial Freelancers Association rates are between $31 to $45 per hour depending on the type of document.
The Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland states the minimum hourly pricing as €32.
Average per-word rates
Another common method of charging for proofreading services is per-word rates.
The Editorial Freelancers Association estimates the average per-word rate for proofreading can range from $0.02 to $0.05.
This is the only organization that details what to charge using the per-word rate basis.
Based on my research from other proofreaders, a range of $0.02 to $0.03 per word is common.
The per word rate can be calculated from the average word count per page, a proofreading average speed of 6 to 8 pages per, and your hourly rate.
For example, if your rate per hour is $30, you proofread 6 pages an hour, and a page has 250 words, then your rate per word is $0.02.
For beginners, setting the minimum per-word rate is advisable. As you gain more experience, revise the rates to increase your earning potential.
Proofreaders specializing in STEM and niche topics command a higher rate of around $0.39 per word.
You will find clients prefer to pay per word rather than hourly as it is structured and straightforward.
Should I charge per word, per page, or per hour?
There is no right or wrong way to charge your proofreading clients.
For every pricing method, there are advantages and disadvantages.
The one to use depends on the nature of the project, client preferences, and the proofreader's expertise.
Charging per word involves determining a fixed rate per word and multiplying it by the total word count of the document.
It provides a fair and transparent pricing structure for both the proofreader and the client.
However, it doesn’t consider the complexity of the content which can be a disadvantage to the proofreader.
When you’re charging per page, the price is determined by a fixed rate for each page of the document.
It provides predictable pricing for clients, as they know the number of pages in their document and can estimate the total costs.
This approach is suitable for documents with standard pages. These include materials like manuscripts or books.
For other content types, the variation in formatting, font sizes, or line spacing affects the number of words on a page, leading to inconsistent pricing.
Determining the exact number of pages may require adjustments for variations in headers, footers, or different formatting.
Charging per hour involves setting an hourly rate for proofreading services.
The total cost is determined by multiplying the hourly rate by the time spent on the project.
It makes it suitable for projects where it is challenging to estimate the time required for completion.
From my experience, this pricing method accommodates varying levels of complexity.
Charging per hour also allows for flexibility in handling additional tasks such as research or fact-checking.
While this pricing model is flexible, it is challenging for clients and proofreaders to estimate the final cost.
If your experience is limited, you may provide a wrong time estimate to the client.
Disagreements may arise regarding the final payment if there is no clear understanding of the number of hours required.
When choosing between charging per word, per page, or per hour consider the specific requirements of the project and negotiate accordingly.
Communicate clearly to establish a mutual agreement that satisfies you and the client.
How to explain your proofreading rates
When learning how to become a proofreader, you will need to explain your proofreading rates to clients.
While doing this, be confident in your pricing and the value you provide. Be direct and communicate what influences your prices and packages.
Start by explaining how you calculate your rates. You can either charge per word, per hour, or per page.
Make sure to mention the currency you use to avoid any confusion.
For example, you can use USD, Euros, Canadian dollars, or any other currency relevant to your target clients.
Mention any additional charges or fees that may apply, such as rush orders or formatting services.
You can also include special discounts for long-term collaborations, bulk projects, or referrals to incentivize clients.
While it's important to establish your rates, it's also valuable to be flexible and open to negotiation.
Clients have varying budgets and unique project requirements.
Be willing to discuss pricing to meet specific client needs to foster a positive working relationship.
Factors that affect how much you can earn as a proofreader
Experience
The level of experience you have as a proofreader plays a significant role in determining your earning potential.
As you gain more experience in the field, you become a more proficient proofreader allowing you to command better rates.
Clients are often willing to pay proofreaders higher if they have a proven track record of delivering quality work.
Education and qualifications
While formal education is not always a requirement for becoming a proofreader, having relevant education or qualifications can positively impact your earnings.
Courses, workshops, or certifications in proofreading, editing, or related subjects demonstrate your professional development.
They can help you stand out among other proofreaders.
Specialized knowledge
Having expertise or specialized knowledge in specific industries or subjects can significantly influence how much you can earn as a proofreader.
If you have in-depth knowledge of a particular field, such as legal, medical, technical, or academic writing, you can cater to clients within those industries.
Clients value proofreaders who not only correct grammar and spelling errors but also understand the nuances and terminology specific to their industry.
Possessing specialized knowledge allows you to provide a higher level of accuracy and insight, which can justify higher rates.
Location
My research shows that where you live can affect your earning as a proofreader especially when dealing with local clients.
A key factor that is influenced by location is the cost of living. Different regions have varying expenses.
In areas with a higher cost of living, clients often expect to pay more for services.
As a result, you can command higher rates as a proofreader, leading to increased earnings to meet your financial needs.
Certain regions may have a higher concentration of businesses, publishing houses, academic institutions, or professional writers.
In locations with high demand for proofreading services, the rates for services tend to be higher, allowing proofreaders to earn more from their work.
Market demand and competition
The demand for proofreading services in your particular market and the level of competition can influence the rates you can charge.
If there is a high demand for skilled proofreaders and limited competition, you may be able to command higher rates.
Conversely, in highly saturated markets, you may need to adjust your rates to remain competitive.
Researching industry standards and analyzing market trends can help you set reasonable pricing that reflects your skills and the current market landscape.
How to make more money proofreading
There are several ways to ensure that you make more money proofreading. They include:
Consider specializing in a specific field or industry to become an expert and command higher wages.
Expand your offerings beyond proofreading to attract more clients. You can include related services like formatting, SEO, or graphic design.
Establish connections with clients, authors, editors, and other professionals in the writing and publishing industry to find more opportunities.
Set competitive rates to attract clients while ensuring you are appropriately compensated for your skills and time.
Develop ongoing relationships with clients to ensure repeat business and referrals, which can significantly increase your income.