Have you been looking to earn money by working from home?
There can be several reasons why you might be considering a work from home gig. Perhaps you’ve been laid off, have way too much time on your hands while you’re home, or you simply want to enjoy more freedom instead of being stuck in the nine-to-five rut.
Despite the reason, a work at home job is a great way to get paid. You can even do it from your living room!
When you are thinking about working from home and making money online, what comes to mind? Are those jobs including proofreading?
If you've got a good handle of the English language, you enjoy reading, and you want a stay-at-home job, you might want to consider an online proofreading gig. The conditions required for this work are ideal for many people since it is 100% remote.
You don’t need much financial investment, qualifications like a bachelor's degree don’t necessarily make much difference, and the work has quite flexible hours. However, you do need desktop computer or a laptop, as well as time management skills for home proofreading jobs. It’s the kind of job you can do wherever and whenever you want.
Read on to find out why online proofreading is a legitimate work from home jobs for those even without editing experience and how you can make money from home.
Demand for Proofreaders Is High
Working from home is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, the share of labor that works full time from home more than quadrupled in the last 15 years, rising from 0.7% in 1980 to 3.1% in 2017, according to the Federal Reserve.
As the internet continues to expand, there’s a ton of new content being produced each day. Bloggers, brands, small businesses, self-published authors of eBooks, and companies are all producing more content every day.
There is so much content to proofread that there has never been a better time to become a proofreader.
You might have some questions about becoming a proofreader. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about proofreading jobs. We’ve even got a whole list of 25 legit online proofreading jobs from home that you can consider signing up for.
But first…
What Does a Proofreader Do?
It’s helpful to first understand what proofreading is before we go any further. Proofreading is the final part of the editing process for any content. It’s done when the first draft of the work has been written by the writer and has gone through the process of editing.
Proofreaders are the last person who checks over any piece of writing to check for spelling and grammatical errors.
Proofreading vs. Editing
Sometimes people mistake proofreading and editing to be the same. Understanding the difference between these two can help you when you’re applying for online proofreading jobs from home.
The process of proofreading involves carefully reading the text to find any mistakes in spelling, style, grammar, and errors in typography. Proofreader jobs basically deal with the nitty-gritty aspects of the assigned text.
Editing consists of correcting, condensing, or even changing a draft to make it ready for publication. An editor has more significant involvement with the content. A proofreader has to make sure that everything is on point.
How Much Money Can You Earn as a Proofreader From Home?
Like with any kind of work, the money you get depends on your experience, who you’re working for, and how they pay you. You can get hourly payments, per word payments, or even project-based amounts. If you proofread as a side hustle, it can be a great way to earn extra money.
The likelihood of online proofreading from home is either freelance work or on a contractual basis where you are an employee working from home.
Here are some statistics about proofreading jobs from home, according to Indeed, Payscale, and Glassdoor.
- Indeed: According to Indeed statistics, the average salary of a proofreader in the US is $21.10 per hour.
- Payscale: According to Payscale statistics, the average salary of a proofreader is $17.80 per hour.
- Glassdoor: According to Glassdoor statistics, the average salary of a proofreader is $44,666 per year.
Proofreading can be a great way to learn how to manage your finances if you’re using it to earn money to boost your day job income.
You can make a significant income through online proofreading jobs from home.
What Training Do You Need To Become a Proofreader?
If you want to add more value to your skills to become a proofreader and you are serious about becoming an online proofreader from home, you can take on various training courses. Proofreader Anywhere is one such course.
It is a convenient course that consists of several lessons divided into modules you can use to learn the editing skills you need to become a successful proofreader. The course teaches you more than simply learning how to proofread.
It even teaches you how to set up and run your own proofreading business. It can help you master the skills to market your business and attract clients.
How to Find Legit Online Proofreading Jobs
Now that you know where you can find the course to train and become skilled on athome proofreading, you might want to know how to get started. There are a ton of opportunities – even some online proofreading jobs where there is no experience required.
Where can you look for an online proofreading job from home?
There are several ways you can search for opportunities. The one you choose depends on whether you want to work as a parttime remote work employee or work as a freelancer. Here are some of the options:
- Approach companies directly
- Use third-party websites for freelancers that provide you certain benefits, but they take a cut of the pay
- Use job boards posted specifically for proofreading jobs
- Apply to positions with work available on conventional job websites if you want to become an employee for a company to work remotely
You might be required to perform an editing test as part of the process before the company decides to hire you, especially if you’re applying for the role of a remote employee. It is important to ensure a high standard.
There are several free tests you can try out so you can determine whether you’re ready to apply to places for online proofreading jobs from home. ProEdit’s Ultimate Editing Test and Web Done Right’s proofreading test are excellent ways to test your skills for the job.
25 Best Proofreading Jobs
Now, we come to the meat of the matter. In this section of the guide, we are going to discuss 25 of the best online proofreading jobs from home you can consider.
From online proofreading jobs that require no experience to more specialized remote positions available, we have tried to include something for everybody here.
Start here to find proofreading jobs among many remote positions available in the United States and around the world.
Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners
When you are trying to break into a new field, you can often face plenty of rejection due to inexperience. Thankfully, the market for proofreading is vast and plentiful. Here are some of the companies that allow you to post your freelance proofreading services, or for you to be hired with little to no experience for online proofreading.
1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is arguably the most well-respected place to search for any type of reputable job opportunity. You can simply search for remote online proofreading jobs on the website so you can narrow down the results for job opportunities.
You can even set up alerts for jobs that match your search terms and have the opportunities sent straight to your inbox daily. This is a resource you can use for an online proofreading job from home on a contractual basis. You can find online proofreading jobs for beginners to opportunities for experienced writers.
2. Indeed
Indeed is another prolific resource when it comes to finding online job opportunities, including jobs in companies as an online proofreader. Like LinkedIn, there are plenty of jobs with available work based on your level of expertise and experience. You can search for jobs based on your experience and skills.
Keep in mind that it is one of the most well-known job websites in the world. It also offers plenty of convenience to users who sign up in search of jobs. The competition for some of the best jobs may be quite high, but it is a resource well worth considering.
3. Monster
Monster is another fantastic job website that operates similarly to Indeed. There are job opportunities for a wide array of requirements that companies post on the website regularly.
Again, there is plenty of competition on the website, but searching for jobs on these three websites can eventually land you a suitable and legitimate online proofreading job you can do from home.
4. Lifetips
Lifetips is another job website that offers a remote position across various industries. You can find opportunities to work as an online proofreader.
You do not require any special qualifications or a degree to find an online proofreading job here. The competition is not too stiff, and there is a vast number of listings you can apply for.
5. Editor Live
Editor Live is a website that hires proofreaders for academic and business papers. The company receives a high volume of academic and business papers around the clock. They are always in search of proofreaders and editors who can take on the task of providing corrections in reference to grammar, spelling, punctuations, document flow, and usage within strict deadlines.
If you are applying for a position here, you need to be skilled in Chicago, APA, AP, MLA, CSE, and various other style manuals. It helps your chances to get work on Editor Live if you have prior experience of writing academic papers on a range of subjects.
6. Upwork
Upwork is an online platform designed to help freelancers and companies looking for services to come together. It is a third-party website that you can use to find job opportunities without the need to directly market your services to companies. It’s a great platform for trying new ways to earn and save money.
A third-party website like Upwork protects your payments. You do not need to worry about the risk of being scammed because it takes care of the payments for you. The security and opportunities Upwork provides come at a cost. They take a cut of your payment.
While you don't need a degree, it does help your chances to get work if you have significant qualifications.
7. Freelancer
Freelancer is a platform quite similar to Upwork. You need to make sure you complete your profile on the website and fill in all the relevant details as you sign up. Make sure you complete your skillset and any other information necessary. Beyond that point, Freelancer takes it on itself to match you to suitable freelance job opportunities as an online proofreader from home.
Your experience and skill level helps you get opportunities that can pay well. You can find projects suitable for online proofreaders who are starting out and even opportunities suitable for highly skilled freelancers.
8. Domainite
Domainite could arguably be the perfect website for you if you are in search of online proofreading jobs with no experience. People who are brand new to online proofreading can sign up on the website to find opportunities to get started.
You should know that this is a site that does not pay very well, but you can get a lot of work on Domainite.
9. Polished Paper
Polished Paper is more of a website that is suitable for qualified professionals in search of proofreading opportunities. The website itself is well-polished, and it offers online proofreading work to experienced professionals.
You sign up to the website, upload your resume, and then complete a 35-question test that will help them determine whether or not they want you on their team. If you can get a position here, you can get plenty of work for a great package.
10. ProofreadingServices.com
Proofreadingservices.com is another fantastic platform dedicated to providing convenient proofreading and editing services to its customers. If you are looking for an opportunity, it offers attractive positions that have pay ranging from as low as $19 per hour to as high as $46 per hour.
If you want to sign up, you will need to complete a 20-minute test. You don’t necessarily need experience or a degree, but they can help you when it comes to passing the test.
11. Fiverr
While we do not mean to assume, you might have heard of Fiverr before. It is a remarkable website that offers great value for money to people looking to hire freelancers, and it offers excellent jobs for freelancers looking for work.
The lowest you can expect to earn is $5, as the name of the platform suggests. You can upsell your services to get more than $5, of course.
You can sign up on the platform and enlist your services as an online proofreader. List a range of price points based on the length of documents and complexity so you can attract people looking for freelance online proofreaders.
12. Wordvice
Wordvice offers both remote jobs by contract and part-time jobs. The company asks that you let them know the payment you expect to receive as you are filling in your application.
To sign up, you need to fill all the necessary information on the application and a resume. They will give you an editing sample as part of the process. They will give you the result via email. You do need to be enrolled in or have completed a graduate degree as a requirement to work at Wordvice.
13. CACTUS Communications
CACTUS Communications offers opportunities for online proofreaders with a range of experience and requirements. CACTUS recruits freelance specialist editors, freelance pharma and regulatory editors, freelance alt text editors, and freelance scientific reviewers.
It requires you to have an educational degree relevant to the subject that you will be proofreading for as a part of the requirement. CACTUS offers positions for both full-time proofreaders and freelancers.
14. Gramlee
Gramlee is another website that offers editing services to its clients. If you get selected for this company, you can get plenty of work as an online proofreader from home. It offers full-time positions for people working from home as online proofreaders and does not offer freelance or project-based work.
To apply to the website, you need to submit its Employee Application form and fill in all the details. They will get back to you if they are considering you for a position based on your application.
15. Scribe Writing
Previously known as Bok in a Box, this is a company that takes on freelance proofreaders but for a particular niche. The company provides editing services to authors of books. It is a full-time opportunity if you can land a position at Scribe.
If there are no opportunities currently available at the company, it allows you to set up email alerts, so you know as soon as there is a vacancy.
16 EditFast
EditFast is a company that offers opportunities to highly qualified proofreaders. To work with EditFast, you need to have a degree from a recognized university as part of the application requirements. It is a platform that brings writers and editors together.
You can find opportunities on the platform on a project basis. The payments are made to online proofreaders through PayPal, and the company retains 40% of the final price of the project.
17. Scribbr
Scribbr is another platform where online proofreaders with no experience and proofreaders with plenty of experience are finding work. There is a lengthy process you need to go through if you want to sign up for an opportunity to work with them.
First, you need to take a language quiz. If you pass the test, you will need to submit your CV that Scribbr will review along with a motivation statement. If they feel that you fit well in the team, they assign you a language editing assignment.
For those who pass the test, Scribbr invites you to join the Scribbr Academy, gives you two simulation orders to complete, and you are finally ready to take on real orders for online proofreading.
18. Writer’s Relief
Writer’s Relief is a well-established service that offers authors the help they need to get their work published. There is an application form you need to fill if you want an online proofreader job at the company.
You should know that Writer’s Relief is a well-paying company and is very stringent with the professionals it works with. It has a reputation for accepting just 2% of the people who apply for proofreading positions at the company.
19. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is an online platform that helps you find jobs. You can search for listings on the website using various keywords. The most useful would be to type in “online proofreading jobs.”
It has plenty of new listings by companies who are looking to hire part-time or full-time employees. Searching with the relevant keywords will bring up any jobs available on the website.
20. Wordfirm Inc.
Wordfirm Inc. is a company that provides its customers with editorial services and helps them with their publications. It is an excellent company to work in terms of the pay you can expect, but it also requires expertise. You need experience of at least five years and a relevant degree.
The application process for the company is lengthy. If you plan on applying for a position there, you need to make sure you have a lot of time to sit down and go through it. It offers full-time jobs for online proofreading with quick turnaround time.
21. American Journal Experts
This company offers you proofreading and editing opportunities for a host of subjects. Depending on your qualifications, you can apply to the relevant positions at the company. They are always looking for more people on their team.
22. OneSpace
OneSpace is a company that offers project-based opportunities for workers as writers or a copy editor. It often lists online proofreading jobs. If you cannot find a permanent position there, you can apply as a freelancer.
It is an excellent platform to get online proofreading jobs for beginners since it also offers written guides, and helpful step-by-step videos to help your growth as a professional.
23. Edit911
Edit911 is not a run-of-the-mill company. If you are an experienced professional in any particular field and you want a high-quality proofreading job, Edit911 might be right for you. They have strict requirements if you plan on applying for a full-time position, including:
- A Ph.D. in English or another writing-intensive subject
- You need to be a published scholar with skills as a writer
- A teacher or book editor with experience you can verify
- You need to be proficient in MS Word and at least one more application like Publisher
If you can meet these requirements, you can send a sample of your work to the company along with your resume. They will respond in 48 hours if they are interested in hiring you.
24. KirkusMedia
Kirkus Media has several job opportunities available. They also post about jobs for online proofreaders, editors, and book reviewers who can work from home. Keep an eye out on their remote career opportunities.
You need to submit your application, resume, and samples of previous work through email as well as pass an test. If you are well-versed in the Chicago style guide, our chances of getting a position at the company increase significantly.
25. SmartBrief
SmartBrief is a digital media publisher. It hires online proofreaders who work from home occasionally. It requires that you have at least three years of experience and a specialization in a few areas like business and finance. Remember that the pay is not as high as what you can get with some of the other online proofreading jobs. Still, it is worth a shot if you cannot find other opportunities.
Conclusion
And with that, we reach the end of the guide for legit online proofreading jobs from home.
Proofreading can be a feasible option for you if you have an excellent understanding of the English language and are well-suited for remote work opportunities. It helps if you are an author with a doctorate in English, but there are plenty of online proofreading jobs that require zero experience and are parttime remote positions.
With a high potential payoff and plenty of opportunities, why not give it a shot? Better yet, you can proofread anywhere! If you find online proofreading to be a success, let us know in the comments!