Online proofreading jobs have become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more individuals discover the benefits of working from home as a proofreader.
Suppose you’re looking for a flexible and rewarding career that allows you to use your language skills. Online proofreading jobs could be just right for you.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what online proofreading jobs involve, what skills and experience you’ll need, and how much money can be made in this position.
And right after that, we will provide a list of the best websites for online proofreading jobs that you can start today.
Let’s get right into it!
What are online proofreading jobs?
Proofreading is the final stage of the writing and publishing process, where text is checked for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and more errors.
So, as an online proofreader, your job will be to review written material and make any necessary corrections, ensuring that the final product is free of errors and reads smoothly.
You’ll work with various texts, from books and academic papers to advertisements and digital content.
You should check the copy in terms of tonality, delivery, and diction according to your client’s needs.
An excellent eye for detail is one of the key skills you’ll need as an online proofreader.
You’ll need to spot even the smallest of errors, including typos and grammatical and punctuation errors.
And as you could’ve guessed, a skilled feeling for what good copy sounds like will help you to do so.
To ensure this quality of work, you must be able to work extremely concentrated for long periods.
If you can be distracted fairly easily, this might not be the gig for you.
Excellent time management will be key for meeting deadlines and simultaneously handling a batch of different projects.
You’ll also need to have a good understanding of different writing styles and be able to communicate effectively with clients, and provide clear and concise feedback.
How much can I earn as an online proofreader?
The amount you can earn as an online proofreader varies depending on your experience and the rate you’re charging.
On average, proofreaders make around $25 per hour.
More experienced proofreaders can charge higher rates, and some even work on a project basis, charging a flat fee for each project they work on.
It’s important to set your rates based on your experience and skills, but also consider the cost of living in your area and the rates charged by other proofreaders.
Where can I find online proofreading jobs?
Great that you ask. Take a look at our list of the best online proofreading jobs!
Let’s start with the freelance websites:
1. Fiverr
Fiverr is a marketplace for services people can buy for various tasks.
These services can be as complex as coding a website or as simple as transcribing a document with 1000 words.
As you probably already guessed, proofreading is a service you can also offer on Fiverr.
To get started, you register an account and create a gig.
Your gig should include up to 3 packages with different service offers and prices, an eye-catchy thumbnail that visualizes your service, a good description, and some solid work samples.
People will browse through the service offers and eventually book your gig.
With some reviews and credibility, you can then pump up your pricing.
2. Upwork
Upwork is a bit different from Fiverr. While you can create gigs that will appear in your “project catalog,” the main way to find jobs is by applying directly to job offers posted by prospects.
These job listings will provide all the important information about the project: the duration, the budget, the amount of work, and the desired experience level of applicants.
You can find all sorts of jobs on Upwork, including proofreading jobs. And once a prospect invites you to his project, you can negotiate the pricing.
Proofreading gigs are either paid by the hour or by the project, but you can discuss this with your clients before starting to work.
3. Freelancer
This website is very similar to Upwork. Freelancers can register, create a profile, and apply for gigs.
The cool thing about Freelancer is that it lets you bid for jobs. This means you don’t necessarily need the highest status to land clients there.
And this is how it works:
- Go to the “Jobs” section.
- Search for “proofreading.”
- Filter by budget, skills, and location.
- Finally, apply to your favorite gigs.
As with all freelance platforms, having a lot of positive reviews, successful jobs, and credibility on your profile will help you find more clients and get paid more.
4. People Per Hour
PeoplePerHour is kind of a mix of Upwork and Fiverr.
Freelancers can create their own gig listings with their own rates, package offers, and deadlines.
And buyers can create job postings, including all the information needed for the project.
Your best guess on this website is applying to jobs as your start out, but later down the line, when you have a strong portfolio and good reviews, you can rely on your gig listings.
Proofreaders charge anywhere between $25 and $50 per hour on this website. However, as a beginner, you want to start with a lower rate and work your way up.
5. ServiceScape
Here we have a freelance website that specializes in writing, editing, and transcribing tasks. So it’s perfect for you if you’re looking for a proofreading job!
It’s also perfect if you want to avoid applying for too many jobs and convince prospects that you’re the best choice for them.
Because on ServiceScape, things work slightly differently than on the other freelance websites on this list.
To find work, you must focus on presenting yourself in the best way possible through your profile.
Because on ServiceScape, clients come to the freelancers directly for a possible collaboration.
So choose your best photo and only the most impressive work in your portfolio.
Moving on to the job search websites:
6. Indeed
Most certainly, you have already heard about this website before. Indeed is one of the most popular job search sites on the world wide web.
The reason for this is that it’s so easy to use. You register on the website, browse the job listings, and apply to the jobs you like the most.
You can also save jobs for later.
Indeed lets you filter jobs. So you can choose from location, job type, offered benefits, and more.
This simplifies the whole job search process immensely.
7. Glassdoor
Next, we have a job search website that’s pretty cool for employees.
On Glassdoor, people can anonymously submit all sorts of information about an employer.
You can find salary, benefits, company reviews, and more information.
This allows you to review a job carefully before diving right into work.
You can also compare other employers or positions in general through this platform.
Just keep in mind that the information about employers is always biased.
Some of it could come from a frustrated former employee trying to damage an employer’s reputation.
8. SimplyHired
On SimplyHired, employers can post unlimited job listings for free and receive applications anonymously.
After reviewing the proposal, employers can pay to get the applicants’ contact information.
A cool feature of SimplyHired is that you can build your resume using the website’s integrated templates, making it easy for you to present yourself and your past proofreading experience professionally.
You can browse jobs full-time or part-time, remote or location-based, and with different experience levels.
9. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a great option for anyone looking for remote job opportunities. Perfect for you as an online proofreader!
The website focuses mostly on remote, work-from-home jobs and hybrid and other flexible jobs.
To get started, you want to create an account first to see the job listings’ details.
Then you want to type “proofreading” into the search bar and set the filter to “100% Remote”.
You will get hundreds of remote proofreading job offers you can apply to.
10. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a social media platform that lets you connect with freelancers, CEOs, and fellow proofreaders all around the globe.
Further, it has a job search section where you can look for the best online proofreading job opportunities, just like other websites.
What separates LinkedIn from other job search websites is the ability for users to network with other people in their niche.
You can easily build strong business relationships online and find potential clients on LinkedIn.
Plus, the social media dynamic of the platform makes the application process much more personal.
Finally, here are the best websites that purely focus on online proofreading and related jobs:
11. Proofreading Services
As obvious as it sounds, Proofreading Services offers online proofreading jobs for beginner, intermediate, and expert-level proofreaders.
The website is straightforward. All you need to do is fill out a 20-minute quiz, and you’re good to go!
You can work as flexibly as you like, and depending on your turnaround time, you can earn between $19 and $46 per hour.
And next to the proofreading jobs, there are positions available in translation, editing, ghostwriting, and many more.
12. Grammlee
So you probably know Grammarly, but have you ever heard about Grammlee? No? Well, no worries, we will explain it to you!
Grammlee is a website that offers copy editing and proofreading services.
To work for Grammlee, you have to choose between two editing positions: content editing and dissertation editing.
Now, while editing and proofreading jobs are different, the work you will be doing at Grammlee will suit you as a proofreader.
And we don’t have to tell you that the more experience you have, the bigger your chances for a job interview.
13. Wordy
Wordy can be the perfect middle-man to connect you with your next proofreading client.
It’s a copy-editing and proofreading service that is always looking for new spots to fill.
You must pass a few tests determining your skillset when applying for a position at Wordy.
Then, once you get accepted, you will work as a Wordy contractor. So get ready to work from the comfort of your home and choose assignments independently.
14. Get Editing Jobs
If you like looking for jobs on a job search website, but want a platform that focuses on proofreading and editing jobs, Get Editing Jobs is your best bet.
You can browse thousands of job listings all over the United States.
Plus, you can submit your email to a newsletter form (for free) that will automatically inform you about new job postings in your desired area.
And with special sections like the “high paid editing postings,” you can even source through the real golden nuggets on this website.
15. WritingJobz
Possibly the best website for absolute beginners. WritingJobz makes it really easy for you to start working as an online proofreader.
You submit your application and take a language test.
After that, you will be matched with tasks that suit your skillset.
While building up your client base and gaining experience, you will level up to more demanding assignments.
Earning $11 per hour straight away is absolutely possible on WritingJobz. Not too bad, right?
Online Proofreading Jobs – Final Thoughts
And there you go! The 15 best websites to get online proofreading jobs.
We are more than certain that you will find the perfect website for your proofreading journey here.
We ensured that all the platforms on this can be picked up by anyone, regardless of their experience level.
We hope this article can help you decide which route you will take.
Is it freelancing on Upwork or Fiverr? Or will you look for full-time positions on Indeed, FlexJobs, or LinkedIn?
Or did you maybe realize that proofreading isn’t really your thing?
Tell us about it in the comments!