Are you looking for online proofreading jobs?
You have just come to the right place!
This article covers almost everything you need to learn about proofreading jobs,
Apart from writing blog posts on different niches, I tend to proofread a lot of articles.
That’s not only for fun while I have been making good side income from proofreading jobs since long.
If you’re picky with the correct spelling and grammar while reading anything, you might be the best to earn from doing proofreading.
Even if you’ve not done it while simply having good command on English language, you can learn the skill to start earning. It doesn’t require a degree to start as a proofreader.
In both cases, you might be looking to explore:
- How much you can earn through proofreading jobs
- Where to find the most suitable proofreading gig opportunities (while working from home)
- How to become an online proofreader
On the upper end, $100 an hour can be the money you’ll be making.
BUT!
To get there, you need to upgrade your skill level and market your gig to the right clients.
For that -and to answer the questions I’ve shared above- I’m going to share different platforms where you can find these jobs.
What’s more you’ll learn; I’ll be sharing about how you can gain experience and work on increasing your earning.
How much can you earn as a proofreader?
As a beginner proofreader who’s looking to work part-time and remotely, you can start earning a minimum of around $10 an hour.
While getting a bit more experienced, you can roughly be making anything $25 to $50 an hour.
BUT!
It all depends on:
- What type of clients you’re working with?
- What kind and level of proofreading tasks you’re handling?
- Which platform you’ve selected to look for proofreading jobs
People who’ve adopted this skill set and are working as full-time proofreaders usually make around $50k annually. (If you’ll check average at Salary.com and ZipRecruiter)
This is less as compared to having a career in writing and editing gigs. This is because the effort required is less as well.
So, if you’re looking to settle for such earnings, you can choose proofreading as a career option as well.
Best online Proofreading Jobs Websites
Authentic VS Scam
This battle keeps on all the time when you’re online looking for anything.
As i said anything, it isn’t limited to proofreading or editing jobs but in this case, your time matters.
So, keeping yourself safe from online scams, you need to try working on different platforms to know which can turn out to be the best for you.
Today, I’ve compiled a pretty long list of the websites where you can easily find your ideal proofreading work.
While authenticity of all of these websites is confirmed, you should look for other features to find your best match.
When i started working on many of these websites, i had setup my priorities and asked myself as:
Is it good for beginner proofreaders?
Everyone joins as a beginner for the first time and it’s important to know which platform is best accordingly.
As different websites require different levels of skill sets, you’ll find out the best for beginners easily form our list.
I’ve either mentioned in the heading or you’ll be able to explore as well after reading the list.
Which one is best for college students to work as a proofreader?
I’ve also highlighted the best ones for college students and whether they’re requiring any graduation degree to join or not.
So, keep on till the end of the list and you’ll find out many suitable options.
Which one is most suitable for experienced proofreaders?
Just as above two categories, this consideration has also been covered completely to share which are very specifically looking for experienced professionals.
OF course, if you’re already experienced and skilled in proofreading, you’ll be making more as compared to people who’re just starting.
Along with the questions I’ve shared above, you should also consider analyzing platforms which will be more helpful to increase your skill level as well as earning potential as you gain momentum.
Here are 35 online proofreading jobs sites you can join,
1. Fiverr: Best For Beginners in Proofreading
Fiverr is probably one of the best places for beginners to start their proofreading journey. Here you can offer your services in the form of gigs.
This platform covers all types of proofreading jobs making it suitable for experienced freelancers as well.
For beginners, they can start offering their services at $5 while can work out on a strategy to earn more as they get experienced.
What I like the most about Fiverr, anyone can start working right now and may get their first client soon after completing their profile and publishing their services gigs.
Here you should also know that fiverr is now becoming saturated with every passing day. More users are joining to offer their services in different areas of skill categories and levels.
Try making a niche in less competition.
Also Read: Best online tutoring jobs [8 websites offering them]
2. Upwork: Best For Better Earning from Proofreading
Upwork is rated better compared to Fiverr when it comes to earning more from the same type of services.
It’s a job proposal based freelance marketplace where you need to bid on different projects to get the job.
For proofreading, you better need to build your portfolio and update details in your Upwork’s profile. It’s important as when the clients read your proposal, they tend to visit your profile looking for any relevant work experience or skill set.
Although, people with any level of proofreading skills can join, but I’ll suggest you get onto this platform after having some experience working with freelance clients. This is because, at Upwork, you’ll be awarded with a limited number of connects once you sign up.
You need these connects to apply for different jobs. Once free connects get finished, you need to buy those for further job applications.
Also Read: Under the table jobs [10 legit options]
3. Clickworker: All Categories GIGs Freelance Platform-Best For Beginners
To become a proofreader on Clickworker, you’ve got to clear a test after your signup.
This website offers jobs in all freelance categories while a bit different when you’ll compare it with other traditional freelancing websites.
It breaks the whole project into small parts which then get picked by different freelancers called clickworkers.
This technique -known as crowdsourcing- works better to get huge proofreading gigs done in no time. Considering this nature of work, Clickworker places itself as one of the best platforms for beginner proofreaders.
But to start as a proofreader, you can’t do it right after you sign up and clear the initial test. Instead, you’ll join as an author and need to complete some writing tasks. Once you’ve done these writing tasks, you’ll be able to take a proofreading assessment test.
This step will finally lead you to get started with paid proofreading gigs.
4. LinkedIn: JOBs Related Social Media Portal-For All Proofreaders
LinkedIn is a well-known social network which works mostly in the professional domain. Along with all professional job categories, it has a huge market to come up with proofreading and editing works.
Such platforms where you’re open to interact with anyone on that platform, you can get better opportunities to market your services.
As this is more like a social media network, it might take time to land your first job. But in the end, it’s worth all your marketing efforts. You can surely catch up with clients no matter if you’re looking for a full-time proofreading career or just looking to make some bucks to pay your coffee bills.
If you’re more into working online, you can filter your job search with a tag as ‘remote’ to look for only relevant opportunities.
What’s more, once searched for the job you’re looking to apply for, you can activate notification to get alerts for the same kind of job postings in the future. LinkedIn also keeps you showing the jobs closest to your profile description.
5. Lionbridge: Mirco Parts Projects Freelancing-Find Full-time online proofreading job
Lionbridge can be one of the best places if you’re on the hunt for a proofreading job as a full-time opportunity.
It works like ClickWorker where most of the projects related to proofreading gets broken into small parts. You can look for related gigs on the website and get started.
Important: You need to pass a skills test after completing your signup. Only then you’ll be able to get your hands on your first task.
Also Read: Best Weekend jobs [10 options to consider]
6. Get Editing JOBs: [Topical/Niche Specific Website]
Get Editing Jobs offers opportunities as per the name of the site. It mainly covers editing works of all categories.
It’s a job’s directory where mostly virtual work is listed. While, there are surely some companies looking for full time and in-house candidates to get editing and proofreading related works done.
Narrowing down your search to ‘proofreader’, you’ll get the list of available relevant jobs only.
7. ProofreadingServices: Part-time and Full-time Niche Specific-Starting point for proofreader
This platform brings the user’s focus towards ‘proofreading’ directly and very specifically.
The common plus points here, it offers both part time and full-time opportunities and you can be flexible when looking to decide your working hours.
ProofreadingServices also offers a highly competitive pay rate -even for beginners in this field of career- which is roughly $18 to $45 an hour.
While it doesn’t require any proofreading experience to join -which makes it an outstanding choice for beginners-, you need to participate and complete a 20 minutes test.
You can also interact with other proofreaders on the platform. that opens up opportunities for better marketing of your services.
8. MediaBistro: Media Related
At MediaBistro, you need to search their platform to look for proofreading jobs.
It mainly works for clients looking for freelance services for digital media but still have a good chunk of proofreading relevant job opportunities.
You can also sign up for alerts to get notified through email, in case any opportunity knocks in.
9. Guru: Freelancing Platform
Guru isn’t that popular but works like fiverr where you’re not limited to find freelance jobs in any category.
So, once again you need to use their search bar to get a list of recently posted proofreading jobs.
Although Fiverr is more popular, I usually suggest hunting for opportunities on multiple platforms if you’re just starting your career.
You can work on polishing your portfolio on this platform by keeping your profile highly relevant and updated. This must be done by any beginner who is into finding remote working opportunities.
Also Read: Best online jobs for teens [26 legitimate options]
10. FlexJobs: Freelancing Platform
Like most of the freelancing platforms, FlexJobs is also one for beginner category proofreaders to kick start their career.
Simply use their search bar and go through the description of all jobs related to proofreading. That way makes you grab good knowledge of how clients prepare their job requirements to work with the most suitable freelancer.
11. Freelancer: Freelancing Platform-All Level Of Proofreaders
Freelancer.com is one of the biggest freelancing platforms where you’ll find complete projects related to different types of proofreading jobs.
It’s a job board where you need to bid to start working on any project.
Once you’ve started getting some traction from different clients, you never know how many of them will be willing for a long-term working commitment.
These days, even agencies and corporate companies look for freelancers on such platforms.
Also Read: Best online jobs for college students [14 legitimate options]
12. Proofreading Pal: Best for College Students
Proofreading Pal mainly looks for college students who’ve secured 3.5 plus CGPA. You can either currently be a college student or an experienced graduate to qualify and start working on proofreading projects.
For experienced grads, they require having 5 years or more to get started. Depending on your working commitment on this platform, you’ll easily be making $500 to $3000 a month.
13. SmartBrief:
Mostly digital media publishers are looking for proofreaders on SmartBrief.
If you’re interested in this domain and want to proofread works related to news industry business, you must join this website.
They pay per hour and the rate is usually $15 an hour for starters.
14. R3Ciprocity: Proofreading Niche Specific
R3Ciprocity is a media platform for proofreaders. It works very uniquely on a credit-based system. you’ll get credit points if you’ll proofread work offered by other proofreaders on this application.
The cycle goes on and you may keep on increasing your credits. These points can then be cashed as well.
15. Polished Paper: For experienced proofreaders
Polished Paper usually pays high rates for proofreading jobs but only accepts experienced proofreaders.
After you fill your registration information on this website, you’ll be required to complete an online test containing 35 questions.
You can seek help from formatting guides while giving that test.
Polished paper claims to ensure FIRST CLASS proofreading services to their clients and hence never compromise on their workforce to be non-experienced.
Also Read: Paid Focus Groups [10 legitimate options]
16. Reedsy: Proofreading Niche Specific
Mostly writers and authors who write a lot of words and work on self-publishing are looking for proofreaders on Reedsy.
Once you’ve signed up, clients will request you to share your quotation for their projects.
The website can pair you with your most suited clients with the help of information you’ve provided in your profile.
It can be a great resource for beginners as many FIRST-TIME authors are looking to pair with proofreaders for their self-publishing books.
10% of the amount you’ll be making from your proofreading work is their fee while you’ll be getting the remaining 90%.
17. OneSpace Freelancers:
There are a smaller number of jobs on OneSpace as they’re posting when any opportunity is available.
I’ve listed this as they sure offer jobs related to proofreading. So, who knows that your first client might be from OneSpace?
18. Domainite: Low-Paying but Good for BEGINNERs
Domainite pays less as compared to other platforms but it’s one of the best for beginners.
WHY!
It’s easy to get your first client on this platform.
After joining, you need to complete a sample proofreading task. Once done, you’ll be good to go further.
Also Read: 11 ways to make money online for free
19. EditFast: Niche Specific
EditFast is another job board for proofreaders and editors. They offer high earning opportunities, but clients always check your profile and samples before hiring.
They keep 40% of the project’s cost though.
20. Writing Jobz: Niche Specific
Writing Jobz offers pay for proofreading as $11 per page.
Based on your experience and availability, you can look for and apply online for work.
They offer a wide range of proofreading work from manuscript to academic.
21. Wordvice: Niche Specific
Wordvice is also a great platform to find proofreading jobs as mostly all category writers, translators and editors are working here.
They have high profile clientele as Stanford and Columbia university and only accept proofreaders with any graduation degree.
More about the clients looking to get their works done through Wordvice, are ESL and usually prefer natives for the job.
Also Read: Get Paid to advertise on your car [5 legitimate options]
22. Writer’s Job Shop: Niche Specific
No matter what the platform is, if it’s about writers and editors as their main categories, they’ll have opportunities for proofreaders.
Writer’s Job Shop keeps their job board update and you can find work almost all the time.
They require graduation in any field and native level grasp of English language to join.
Also Read: How to make 100 dollars a day [20 legitimate options]
23. Writer’s Relief: Niche Specific
As the name of the website, Writer’s Relief helps the writers to get their work published. Mostly writers who write the first draft look for proofreaders on this application.
Signup is easy but they accept a very small number of applications.
You’ve got to be helping the authors just like my elder brother does.
24. Gramlee: Niche Specific
If you’re looking for consistent work, you’ve to sign up for Gramlee as they’re always posting proofreading jobs.
Clients also love this platform as turnaround for the work is great.
They are very specific about proofreading and most of the jobs are related to it.
You’ve to fill out their application and answer simple questions to get started.
25. Scribe Media: General Freelancing
Scrib Media is a general freelancing platform hiring both full-time employees and freelancers.
they don’t post when jobs aren’t available.
So, you can sign up for their job alerts and get notified to see if any opportunity knocks your door to do a proofreading task.
It’s good to find full-time proofreading jobs.
26. CACTUS Communications: Niche Specific
Cactus communications offer proofreading opportunities for both full-time and freelancers.
Then what makes them different!!!
they intake only specific category proofreaders. Even your degree/qualification should be subject relevant to the topic of proofreading work to be done.
They’re very specific about proofreading topics while offering a wide range of subjects to choose from such as biology, medical, molecular and more.
27. American Journal Experts
American Journal Experts also offer -topic specific- proofreading work.
Opportunities and remote so you can join and work from anywhere around the world.
In the freelancing sphere, all the positions they offer are for independent contractors.
If you already have a well set up profile on ‘Indeed’, you can use the same signup application here.
28. Kirkus Media: Niche Specific
Kirkus Media is another platform which helps the authors get published by connecting them with the best proofreaders.
Mostly job opportunities are related to editing and proofreading covering book reviews as a specialty.
They also provide opportunities for at-home hiring of editors for branded magazines.
29. Wordfirm Inc: niche specific-experienced preferred
Wordfirm is a managed editing platform looking to hire proofreaders preferably having 5 years or more experience.
And of course, you’ve to have a bachelor’s degree to join.
30. Edit911: Niche Specific – Hire Only Experienced Proofreaders and Professionals
Edit911 only prefers hiring PHDs, published scholars, teachers and book editors.
In any case, the relevant experience must be verifiable to join this platform.
Although criteria seem tough, it can turn out to be a great option for gaining proofreading experience and earning extra.
31. Scribbr: Niche Specific
You have to clear the initial language test to join Scribbr.
they will assess your CV once you’ve passed the initial test. and the story doesn’t end here as you still need to work on 2 to 5 proofreading sample tasks.
Scribbr academy’s simulators create these orders for anyone who’ve just joined Scribbr.
If these are confirmed to meet their criteria, you’ll get paid.
The thing I like the most about the platform, it will share critical feedback of your work and tips to improve.
Such a kick start helps you upgrade your proofreading skill level immediately.
32. Managed Editing: Experience Preferred
Managed Editing also requires a degree and relevant experience to join them as a proofreader.
They also look for only independent contractor types for their work.
To ensure high quality editorial and publication services, they usually look for subject matter proofreading expertise.
33. Scribendi: Niche Specific-College Degree Students
Scribendi is looking for proofreaders having a college degree.
You’ve got to be native English speaker along with having any degree.
And the requirements don’t end as you need to have 3 years’ experience for high potential work while being able to ensure speed of 1000 to 1500 words an hour.
34. Craigslist: Local and Remote Proofreading Jobs
Craigslist is still offering gigs related to writing and editing. You can find a bunch if you’ll search for proofreading.
More here, the projects offered here are challenging and usually help to add into your experience.
You can catch up with private clients which is fun working.
35. Monster.com: Job Listing
Monster.com and a few other works like ‘indeed’ where jobs of all categories are listed.
So, start searching and applying to proofreading jobs on their job board and you may end up locking a big opportunity.
36. Indeed: All Category Jobs Listing
‘Indeed’ is now a well-known job board not limited to writing and proofreading jobs only.
Along with a long list of in-house opportunities in all job categories, you can look to find so many remote jobs.
Competition is high as they have a lot of visitors daily looking for jobs while it’s pretty convenient to use.
How To Become A Proofreader?
Becoming a proofreader isn’t tough if you don’t think you’re already one.
It’s simply about having a good grasp of spelling and grammar related to whatever language you have selected.
Whenever you’re talking about becoming a proofreader, it may come to your mind that:
Do I need a degree to become a proofreader?
Primarily, the answer to this question is NO.
But, as I’ve shared multiple resources from where you can find proofreading jobs, you must have noticed that you might need a bachelor’s degree or even a higher one for joining some of these platforms.
So, how should you look at this?
As far as I’ve experienced and researched, you might not need to have any degree at the beginner’s level.
BUT!
If you’re looking for a full-time career focused on proofreading, you may need at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as most of the job websites require one.
Some of the websites which offer proofreading jobs, might even accept certain certificates or simply assess your relevant experience.
Yes, in today’s world, digital certifications are extremely common, and anyone can get multiple proofreading certificates to upgrade their portfolio.
All in all, your experience and testimonials from your clients play a better role than even having any degree.
Start Your Own Proofreading Business
I’ve kept this option separate from the general list of websites.
This is simply like developing your own website to offer your proofreading services.
Think of it more like starting your blog about the niche you love.
You can showcase your proofreading skills and show your website to clients while marketing your services on any digital platform. (Mostly Social Media Websites).
I call social media networks as the best places where you can sell without selling.
So, you shouldn’t limit yourself after making a blog or website about your proofreading works, but also need to follow a simple marketing strategy to land proofreading clients and jobs.
Talking from my personal experience, you can get many clients if you’ll be active on social media communities such as Facebook groups. Try to help people in the comments section under relevant posts and you might catch an eye of your next potential client.
You can even boost your business further by running a paid marketing campaign. But here, I’ll suggest going further after getting necessary experience.
Check out this video by R3ciprocity to learn how can you start your own proofreading business,
Let’s move to the next section to know how tools and training can add to your proofreading journey.
Proofreading Tools, Trainings & Certifications and Their Benefits
If you’re not feeling like going to a professional level with all manual work, you may consider looking at different tools and training available to help you boost your skill set with comparatively less effort.
Professional training in any field can give you a little edge and save your time and energy to get to a certain level.
The same goes with the tools which are available online.
Some of those are free while others are paid.
Grammarly: It has both free and paid versions.
Microsoft Docs: You can even use an offline version of Microsoft docs (from Microsoft Office Suit) to check basic grammar, spelling and sentence formation mistakes. It even gives readability stats.
Google Docs: you can sign up for google account and open google drive. Here google docs can help you with the basic level of proofreading corrections.
SpellChecker: Another one to correct basic errors.
No matter what tools and training you’re planning to hop on, I’ll always suggest getting some assignments and proofreading tasks done completely manual. Once you’ll be good with the basics, you’ll be able to know which tool is helping you and which one is creating a mess.
Let’s wrap up today’s topic…
Wrapping it Up: Our Conclusion and Your Action Plan
Till now, you must have decided your way forward.
If not, lemme share the conclusion.
If you’re a beginner, go with the websites which are accepting the beginners mostly. You can try others if you have a bachelor’s degree.
No matter whichever path you’re choosing, keep learning and moving up the ladder to earn more from proofreading.
You can keep your aim towards maximizing your earning per hour by gaining experience and landing high paying clients and projects.
Further look into building your portfolio on multiple online places.
