Proofreaders and Copy Markers: Career Profile
Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.
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What Do Proofreaders and Copy Markers Take On?
The day-to-day responsibilities of proofreaders and copy markers span:
- 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.
Skills and Knowledge
Effective proofreaders and copy markers combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Proofreaders and Copy Markers Jobs
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Braille Proofreader
- Checker
- Clerical Proofreader
- Content Analyst
- Content Coordinator
- Copy Coordinator
- Copy Editor
- Copy Holder
Employment and Demand
There are about 282,552 proofreaders and copy markers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +0.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Proofreaders and Copy Markers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $30,503 |
| Hourly median | $14.67 |
| 10th percentile | $20,692 |
| 25th percentile | $25,598 |
| 75th percentile | $35,409 |
| 90th percentile | $40,315 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $63,920 |
| California | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $56,940 |
| Washington | $55,760 |
| Massachusetts | $54,790 |
| Maryland | $54,680 |
| New York | $54,380 |
| Colorado | $53,710 |
| Nebraska | $53,220 |
| Minnesota | $50,560 |
| Texas | $49,990 |
| Ohio | $48,180 |
| Missouri | $47,700 |
| Virginia | $47,430 |
| Kansas | $46,960 |
| North Carolina | $45,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,510 |
| Illinois | $44,600 |
| Iowa | $43,630 |
| Kentucky | $42,500 |
| Wisconsin | $41,790 |
| Georgia | $41,750 |
| South Carolina | $39,940 |
| Indiana | $39,590 |
| Michigan | $39,380 |
| Oregon | $38,600 |
| Florida | $37,330 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for proofreaders and copy markers shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $61,188 | 9.1% | 0.54 |
| Rocky Mountains | $53,710 | 1.6% | 0.67 |
| Middle Atlantic | $53,654 | 39.9% | 3.09 |
| Southwest | $49,990 | 4.5% | 0.44 |
| Plains States | $47,104 | 10.0% | 1.85 |
| Great Lakes | $43,026 | 15.6% | 0.98 |
| Southeast | $38,927 | 18.5% | 1.03 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $70,300 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $65,170 | 150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $60,130 | 1,170 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | TX | $58,150 | 60 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | MA | $54,790 | |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $54,680 | 160 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | CO | $54,280 | 50 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | FL | $50,740 | 60 |
Which Industries Hire Proofreaders and Copy Markers
The bulk of proofreaders and copy markers are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Information | 1,520 | $43,630 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1,040 | $59,420 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 860 | $45,740 |
| Educational Services | 270 | $53,160 |
| Manufacturing | 220 | $37,330 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 140 | $59,100 |
| Wholesale Trade | 120 | $39,830 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 120 | $45,690 |
Below are examples of industries where proofreaders and copy markers work:
Tech Stack
- Document management software: Adobe Acrobat (hot technology)
- Video creation and editing software: Adobe After Effects (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Creative Cloud software (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Illustrator (hot technology)
- Desktop publishing software: Adobe InDesign (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Sales and marketing software: HubSpot software (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
What the Workplace Is Like
The on-the-job environment of proofreaders and copy markers reflects the following characteristics:
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Spend Time Sitting
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
How to Become Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Entry-level proofreaders and copy markers positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Document Management Specialists (Primary-Long)
- Social Science Research Assistants (Supplemental)
- Archivists (Supplemental)
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (Supplemental)
- Library Technicians (Primary-Long)
- News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists (Supplemental)
- Editors (Primary-Short)
- Technical Writers (Primary-Short)
Degree Programs
Future proofreaders and copy markers typically earn programs in:
English Language and Literature/Letters
3 programs across 2 majors
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 43-9081.00 (Proofreaders and Copy Markers).
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