31 Best Online Proofreading Jobs (Earn $50k No Degree)

Without editors, proofreaders, and other reviewers of our work, where would we be? Well, that would put us in a difficult situation, especially because Kelan doesn’t usually spell well!

You must have been relieved when you asked a buddy to verify your lengthy text for understanding or when a colleague went through your business email to ensure it had all the necessary details. A career as an online proofreader can be ideal for you if you like reading and have a keen eye for errors in grammar or spelling.

What is Proofreading?

The primary responsibility of a proofreader is to check the written text for grammatical faults, including typographical, spelling, formatting, and syntax issues. It represents the last stage of the editing process.

A broad variety of content is covered by proofreaders, including user manuals, eBooks, white papers, student theses/essays, and web content. This is a crucial step since even when you read your writing again, you may miss unintended errors.

How much are proofreaders paid online?

The income potential of an online proofreader will rely on a variety of variables, just like everything else. The most important one is experience. An expert proofreader with a track record of accomplishment will be able to charge extra for their services.

To create a portfolio and references, a novice proofreader without a track record might have to take lower-paying work.

The median yearly pay for a proofreader, according to Salary.com, is $54,200. Once you get some expertise in this field of work as a freelancer seeking sporadic internet proofreading tasks from home, you may anticipate finding assignments that pay $50 an hour or more. If they give you a lot of work, your compensation may be lower; yet, if they offer you very little labor, they may pay you well. Additionally, your speed would be a factor since the faster you are, the more money you will make.

Best Online Proofreading Jobs: Where to Find Them

How many people employ proofreaders, then? Where can you locate the top proofreading positions?

It is not difficult to persuade someone that they need to employ a proofreader. Anyone serious about releasing high-caliber literary work might profit from it, and the content market needs it.

Here are several legitimate chances to work from home as a proofreader. There are websites for various skill levels, whether you are a novice proofreader or a seasoned professional seeking an online career. Simply apply to the websites that hire beginning proofreaders if you are just starting.

1. Fiverr

Fiverr is a well-liked alternative that has the benefit of letting you get started right away. Because of this, it’s a great area to experiment and find out what kinds of tasks you enjoy working on.

Fiverr began as a website where you could hire anyone to do anything for $5, but it soon developed into one of the top marketplaces for both hiring businesses and freelancers. Exploring it is undoubtedly worthwhile. It’s also simple to finish a few projects and utilize the positive feedback from your satisfied customers as references for other aspects of your proofreading business.

2. UpWork

One of the most well-known and reliable websites for locating proofreading employment is this one. It has an A+ rating on the BBB website because it is a gathering place for individuals of diverse backgrounds. For newbies, it’s a great location to start looking for online proofreading employment.

You may choose your clients and tasks from those that are listed on UpWork’s website, which is a wonderful feature. It is a freelance marketplace full of job listings. For getting hired as an online proofreader, you just need to put up your proofreading services and get hired by different online entrepreneurs or businesses.

3. Steady

In addition to finding lucrative side work like proofreading, Steady is fast becoming one of our favorite applications. To get job recommendations according to your work history and hobbies, you may join up with Steady for free and complete a few questions.

Additionally, you may track your money with the Steady app and obtain Income Boosters to increase your earnings. We strongly advise registering with Steady and exploring the variety of freelance proofreading opportunities available.

4. Contena

An employment board for editors, authors, and proofreaders is not all that Contena is. It’s a place where you can have access to all the tools you need to get a fantastic job. With the variety of remote jobs available on Contena, you have more freedom to choose what you want to do.

You have access to all of Contena’s materials when you sign up for a subscription, including, which explains how to get started if you want to check into it to develop your proofreading business.

5. DetailsedIn

DetailsedIn is a reputable resource for finding top-notch employment. To guarantee that your search is limited to online proofreading jobs, enter “remote” into the location field.

Additionally, you can set up alerts to receive daily email notifications of new positions that fit your search criteria. Just keep in mind to generate numerous alerts with all the necessary keywords.

6. Lionbridge

The nicest thing about this website is that, although just offering relatively simple proofreading assignments, it makes sure to assemble a team of top editors and proofreaders.

You may select from a wide variety of online occupations at the international communication platform Lionbridge, one of which is proofreading. There are several vacancies available to search in numerous nations and languages.

7. Polished Paper

The website Polished Paper, which boasts a stunning design, claims to have openings for excellent editors. To take the 35-question test, you must first sign up, submit your résumé, and then finish it.

8. Scribendi

You can provide independent proofreading services to clients using the Scribendi platform.

You may choose how much or how little time you want to spend working. If you have a university degree and at least three years of prior experience in editing, writing, document creation, or language instruction, Scribendi welcomes applications from people all around the world.

9. Indeed

You have used Indeed before, but not everyone is aware of how many remote jobs are available online.

Because Indeed is one of the most well-known employment websites in the world and because it’s so easy to use, there can be a lot of competition, but for the same reasons, you can’t afford to ignore it.

10. ProofreadingServices.com

You might not know where to start if you want to become a proofreader. You may start your career with ProofreadingServices.com if you are dealing with the same problem.

Both full-time and part-time online proofreading jobs are available here, but you must pass a 20-minute screening exam to receive any assignments. The benefit of this website is the chance to interact with some of the best English proofreaders in the world.

11. Wordvice

On this website, Wordvice offers remote, online proofreading tasks that are mostly geared toward persons searching for remote part-time employment. Prepare your services and desired compensation before Wordvice asks about your expected pay rate in your application.

You must submit your application and résumé, do an editing sample, then wait for an email with your findings. It does inquire as to whether you are a graduate student or have already finished one.

12. Proofreading Pal

For those with a graduate degree and at least five years of proofreading expertise, as well as those who are currently enrolled in college, Proofreading Pal offers online proofreading opportunities. On this site, proofreaders may expect to make between $500 and $3,000 each month.

If you believe you are eligible, you must respond to a brief questionnaire. Within 5 to 10 business days of submitting it, you ought to hear from Proofreading Pal regarding the next round of their recruiting procedure.

13. Monster

Another excellent choice is Monster.com, which functions very similarly to Indeed. You’ll remain busy by consistently applying for relevant jobs listed on this trio of sites: Monster, Indeed, and DetailsedIn. Success should ultimately come your way.

14. Tap Worker

It is a great platform that enables customers to outsource little jobs like translation, editing, proofreading, etc. Additionally, they make it simple for you to select a task that suits your preferences because every Tap-worker is an independent contractor with access to the jobs database. When it comes to proofreading positions, employers look for candidates with strong language and editing skills.

15. Gramlee

If you are chosen to work with this organization, Gramlee claims that it is constantly seeking excellent editors and that you will be able to proofread assignments from home. You must fill out its Employee Application form and submit it before learning whether or not you have been accepted.

16. Book Editing Associates

You can apply for a proofreading position with Book Editing Associates if you have any experience with traditional publishing or self-publishing. To be eligible, you must pass a brief copyediting and proofreading test.

You must be entirely independent to be considered for a proofreading position with Book Edit Associates (they will not accept people with another day job). Additional requirements include having edited published works for at least five years (traditional and self-published).

17. Scribbr

By developing tools that will assist students in learning, developing, and achieving their academic objectives, Scribbr helps students succeed in academic writing. The amazing news is that there are many options accessible regardless of your native language because they provide proofreading and editing work for many languages.

The following are the prerequisites for becoming a Scribbr editor: a college degree and fluency in the selected language.

18. Craigslist

The benefit of them is that you can find interesting and varied employment options. Working with private clients will provide you with the opportunity to interact with more diverse people. You may apply for a wide range of various proofreading jobs on Craiglist. The fact that they have far more steady employment conditions and a respectable payment system is one of their finest features.

19. EditFast

If customers choose you for the project, you will receive work after completing the registration process and passing the EditFast assessment. You must submit your résumé, pass an editing test, agree to a non-disclosure agreement, and create an online profile with all of your information before you can begin the application process. After that, you’ll have to wait for EditFast to accept your application.

20. ProofreadNOW

To get hired by ProofreadNOW, you must complete a series of difficult and time-consuming examinations and have at least five years of professional proofreading experience.

Additionally, you must have a dependable internet connection and current versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat Professional software (not the free reader). You can find out whether they are recruiting right now. Editors will be compensated via PayPal. 40% of the final project cost goes to EditFast.

21. Twitter

It’s all about networking once more. Twitter may be used for more than just finding jokes and news.

Finding people who are doing what you want to accomplish is now simpler than ever. Observe them. Take note of what they are saying. Talk to them, and you could learn about opportunities for proofreading work or receive recommendations. Although it takes time, doors do eventually open.

22. Guru

Even if you are a newbie, you may get decent freelance proofreading tasks on our site. It is a terrific location to work for freelancers and businesses alike. You may discover clients on Guru looking for anything from editors to translators to proofreaders. To locate proofreading employment, you would need to do some searching and study, but you can be sure that you would discover a position or project that suited your schedule and skills.

23. MediaBistro

View MediaBistro for writing, editing, and other freelance positions. You may conduct a targeted job search for proofreading positions and create alerts to get notifications of new openings.

Finding proofreading work, especially on this website requires a little more navigation, but applying for other editing tasks would not be too awful for you to enhance your income!

24. Prompt

You are paid by Prompt to edit college application essays. Although they want to recruit those who can work more than 10 hours per week, they do demand a 4-hour minimum availability each week.

Editors who join the Prompt network start with a $20/hour salary for a brief evaluation period. Prompt provides competitive remuneration. If you are given the go-ahead to join as a full member beyond this point, your pay will increase to $25–$28 per hour, based on your weekly time commitment.

For the admissions season, the typical Prompt editor makes roughly $5,000, but many make $10,000 or more.

25. Facebook

Have we stated that the secret to your success is networking? Make sure your Facebook friends are aware that you are seeking a proofreading job in your present network. A recommendation is a very effective tool.

Find Facebook groups for proofreaders in addition to informing your friends and relatives. There will undoubtedly be a few. Additionally, have a look at organizations for independent authors because many of them may require assistance with proofreading projects.

26. SmartBrief

You can look for work-from-home chances with them in the editing and proofreading sectors. They are a website that publishes digital media and focuses mostly on business news and industry information. As they pay about $15 per hour, you should constantly check the job listings on their website. They are based in New York and have been in this business since 1999, therefore you can rely on them as a brand since they have been able to uphold their reputation.

27. Wordy

For a set charge, Wordy offers online editing and proofreading services. Every level of experience is accepted, however, the more experience you have, the more work opportunities you will have.

You must pass many examinations to prove your command of English, grammar and spelling skills, capacity to recognize inconsistencies, awareness of ambiguities and textual structure, and ability to spot inconsistencies if you want to apply to work as a proofreader on Wordy.

You will function as an independent contractor if Wordy accepts you as a copyeditor. You won’t be hired by Wordy as a registered copy editor; instead, you’ll just find employment there.

28. Hubstaff

Hubstaff allows you to pitch brands, establish your pricing, and then watch to see if anyone accepts. All types of companies come here to locate remote labor.

As you start looking for online proofreading employment, keep in mind that casting a broad net and doing plenty of promotions are crucial. Some of the greatest mistakes freelancers make include not spending enough time applying to several jobs and failing to create profiles on websites where you may get employment.

29. Reedsy

This is especially true for writers and novelists. It is a marketplace that instantly Detailss clients with independent contractors. You must sign up with them first, then establish a profile. The Reedsy algorithm will then match you with clients that they believe will be a good fit for you.

Client inquiries will start coming through, and you may answer them by providing a pricing quote. It costs nothing to join; when you accept a task, Reedsy takes 10% and you retain the remaining 90% of the project’s cost.

30. Writer’s Relief

A platform that assists authors in getting their books and articles published was established back in 1994. This presents proofreaders with the chance to assist someone in realizing their ambition!

But take note that hardly many applicants are accepted. If you want to get noticed by literary journals or publishing firms, it is ideal if you have prior editing experience.

In addition, “Writer’s Relief” rather than “Writers’ Relief” was chosen on purpose to emphasize the company’s individualized, one-on-one editing strategy. I know there are some grammatical nitpickers out there.

31. R3Ciprocity

You must be wondering how to pronounce reciprocity; it is spoken that way. It is a modest platform that relies heavily on credits. You might view papers that have previously been edited and earn credits once you join up with them.

These credits can be used to have your work proofread. If you decide not to use the credit to proofread your things, it may be redeemed. One of the greatest tools for folks who want their documents double-checked is this one.

Benefits of proofreading

Most of the proofreading tasks that these platforms provide are home-based, and everyone is aware of how convenient and time-saving working from home is. Additionally, freelance proofreading offers a lot of freedom and advantages, like.

• You may work whenever you want, from wherever you are, as long as you finish the assignment by the deadline.
• No upfront costs
• It may be a terrific platform for mothers who want to make money while raising their children at home.
• Excellent for those with a keen eye for grammar mistakes
• Simple to begin
• To succeed, you don’t need a desktop computer. Several individuals earn money by proofreading on other gadgets, such as a laptop or tablet.
• Since you will be dealing with text files rather than films, you need not require an extremely fast internet connection.
• For commencing a proofreading task, you won’t need a printer, a headset, or any other specialized tools.

Drawbacks of Proofreading

• There may be certain clients that may give you stringent deadlines or standards that you must abide by.
• Additionally, several proofreading positions can need further schooling.
• Someone who is prone to distractions and is used to working under close supervision is not the right candidate for this position.

Conclusion

You have fantastic potential to effortlessly enhance your income when you find online proofreading employment. Making more money is crucial if you want to improve your quality of life, and starting an internet company like proofreading may get you closer to financial independence than other side jobs and jobs.

Who doesn’t want to be their boss and work from home? We advise you to enroll in Proofread Anywhere’s General Proofreading course if you’re serious about earning some additional money as a proofreader or possibly making it your full-time career.