If you're grammatically gifted, great at spelling, and looking to work from home, proofreading may be an option to consider!
Many companies that offer proofreading services rely on independent contractors who work at home to service their clients.
Two of the best things about working at home as a proofreader is that it's almost always flexible work AND it can pay very well!
Today, I did some searching and put together a list of companies that are advertising their need for work at home proofreaders right now.
Keep in mind that these companies will require some or all of the following:
- Past experience as a proofreader or other relevant experience
- A college degree
- Passing a proofreading skills test
If you have none of the above but have complete faith in your ability to proofread for others, you may consider starting your own proofreading side hustle instead, which requires none of the above.
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Companies Hiring Proofreaders Right Now
1 – Super Copy Editors
Super Copy Editors is a New York-based proofreading agency that works with advertising agencies, marketing teams, and businesses, and they are always looking to add skilled freelance proofreaders to their team. This is part-time, 100% remote freelance work with an irregular schedule depending on their needs at the time.
To qualify you must have a college degree, be authorized to work in the United States, and have at least three to five years of demonstrated professional copy editing or proofreading experience. Deep familiarity with AP, Chicago, AMA, APA, or MLA style is required. Candidates with an advertising or marketing background are given priority.
Pay works out to approximately $35 to $50 per hour on a project basis, which is significantly higher than many other proofreading services. Payments are made monthly.
2 – Wordvice
Wordvice is an international editing and proofreading company that works primarily with academic researchers, scholars, and professionals.
They hire freelance editors and proofreaders from around the world and appear to have ongoing openings.
To qualify you generally need an advanced degree, preferably a master's or doctorate, along with extensive editing experience in your area of expertise.
Pay rates are not publicly listed but the company states that compensation is fair, and they offer feedback and resources to help freelancers improve over time.
Go here to check for openings with Wordvice.
3 – Upwork
You may be familiar with Upwork already as a site with lots of freelance gigs. But if not, Upwork is a freelance marketplace where proofreaders can create a profile and bid on proofreading jobs posted by clients all over the world.
It works differently from the other options on this list because you are finding your own clients rather than being hired by a single company. You set your own rate, choose which jobs to apply for, and build your reputation over time through client reviews.
Proofreaders on Upwork typically earn between $18 and $35 per hour depending on experience and the type of work. Getting started can be slow while you build up your profile and reviews, but many proofreaders use it as a reliable ongoing source of freelance income once they get established.
Go here to get started on Upwork, or read more about Upwork in this overview.
4 – Cambridge Proofreading & Editing
Cambridge Proofreading is a Chicago-based editing company that works with academic and business writers all over the world, and they hire freelance editors on an ongoing basis.
This is fully remote freelance work where you set your own schedule and choose which projects you want to accept.
To qualify you need at minimum a bachelor's degree, though a master's or doctorate is strongly preferred. You will also need excellent English skills, prior editing experience, and reliable internet access. Candidates with expertise in STEM, business, computer science, economics, or law are given preference.
Pay averages between $20 and $30 per hour and is paid twice monthly via direct deposit or Revolut. You receive job proposals by email with all the details upfront and can accept or decline with one click.
Go here to check for openings with Cambridge Proofreading & Editing.
5 – Proofreading Services
Proofreading Services appears to have an ongoing need for work at home proofreaders. They are open worldwide. There are opportunities to work full-time or part-time.
To qualify to work with Proofreading Services, you have to take and pass a timed, 20-minute proofreading quiz.
They claim that most of their proofreaders earn between $19 and $46 hourly. It will depend on your turnaround time.
Go here to apply, or read our Proofreading Services review.
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 a friend of mine 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.
If you want to stay in the loop on new remote jobs and work-at-home opportunities, my free email newsletter is the easiest way to do that. Sign up here and I'll bring the leads to you. More of a do-it-yourself researcher? Check out my e-books for solid work-at-home information you can come back to again and again.
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.