Updated September 6, 2024.
Scribendi is an editing and proofreading company based out of Canada. They have been around since 1997, hiring work from home proofreaders and editors.
Something like this might be ideal for you if you're good with words but want something to do either in addition to or instead of writing jobs. It's important to note however that this company does require you have some experience with editing, proofreading, or a related field and also a college degree.
If in the US, you cannot work as a freelance editor for Scribendi if you live in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington DC, West Virginia, or Wyoming.
How much does Scribendi pay?
There is no information on the website about how much they pay, so it might not be something they want to reveal. However, Glassdoor reveals a few salaries for editors at Scribendi — $21 to $32 an hour!
I also looked over some reviews from Scribendi editors. These indicate that ultimately, your pay rate is dependent on how fast you can edit the documents.
While many of their editors do earn $20+ an hour, there are some that earn around $15 or even less. You can potentially get faster as you learn the ropes, so the higher hourly rate is possible.
Can anyone in the world work for Scribendi?
Yes, they hire workers worldwide for proofreading/editing positions, but English has to be your first language. You also need to have a Windows PC. Unfortunately, you cannot do this job on a Mac.
What are the educational requirements to be considered for employment?
Scribendi is looking for candidates who hold graduate degrees in a related field.
It's also important that you've had at least three years of experience in editing, writing, document production, or teaching languages as well as native level English ability.
Does Scribendi hire you as an employee?
No, Scribendi hires their telecommuters (work from home employees) as independent contractors.
What is the application process like?
To apply, you have to fill out their online application and also upload your resume. You will only hear back from Scribendi after applying if they are seriously considering you for the job.
If you hear back, you'll have to take a test to prove your skills. I've read that the test is a little difficult. Some have said the test involves editing a document for someone who doesn't have English as their first language.
They keep applications on file for six months, so if you don't hear back within that time frame, you can reapply.
Is work consistent at Scribendi?
They say that they cannot guarantee you a set amount of work to do so the amount you get will likely vary. This is one reason why it's probably not a good idea to quit your day job to work for Scribendi full-time, because full-time may not be possible.
What do current and former workers say about editing for Scribendi?
The reviews are mixed, with Scribendi getting an overall 3.5 of 5 starts on Glassdoor. While some workers love the flexibility, management, being able to pick and choose orders from a large pool, others got disgruntled pretty quickly.
I've seen multiple complaints about having to edit papers where English is not the first language of the writer, and essentially having to re-write the document. When this is the case, apparently it is not worth the money because the work is project-based.
There were also some complaints about management — management expecting too much, short turnaround times, etc.
Feel free to go to Glassdoor and read through Scribendi's reviews yourself to get some more details.
Where do you go to sign up for Scribendi?
Would you rather work for yourself as a proofreader and make MORE money?
Working for yourself is usually the most profitable route to take because you can set your own rates and seek out higher-paying clients.
If you'd like some guidance in doing this, I recommend this FREE 76-minute workshop explaining how to go about starting your own freelance general proofreading side hustle from home.
This webinar was put together by Caitlin Pyle, who created her own proofreading side hustle from home, earning $43,000 in her first year!
This is extremely useful information if you're thinking seriously about striking out on your own.
Good luck in whatever you choose to pursue!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 13 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.
Hi, I work at Scribendi. We pay our telecommuters 50% of the price of the order.
Best,
Jaimie.
I am good at proofreading but I do not have a 4 year degree
Thanks! I just got my feet wet with proofreading. I’m going to give this a shot.
Good luck, Sakeenah!