30 Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners in 2024

Are online proofreading jobs for you?

Editing jobs are excellent choices for people looking to make money working at home. There are many options for work-at-home jobs, but becoming an online proofreader doesn’t require a college degree or previous experience.

We’ve found 30 online proofreading jobs for beginners in 2024 that do not require a college degree. You can offer freelance proofreading services on your own or find remote proofreading jobs through online job listings.

If you’re good at catching spelling and grammar errors, you might have the skills to make money proofreading. Check out these 30 best places to find writing jobs without a bachelor’s degree.

What Are Proofreading Jobs?

Proofreading and editing services are in high demand as more people turn to freelance work and self-publishing. With the rise of digital media, there is an increasing need for error-free content and a professional touch to make it stand out. As a result, proofreaders play a crucial role in ensuring that written material is grammatically correct, free of spelling errors, and flows smoothly.

But what exactly does a proofreader do? In simple terms, they review written material for mistakes in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. They also ensure consistency in style and tone throughout the document. Proofreaders work on a wide range of written materials, including articles, blog posts, essays, resumes, and even books.

How Much do Proofreaders Make?

An average salary for proofreading and editing services is in the ballpark of $45,000. When you look at hourly rate statistics, proofreaders earn around $12-$30 per hour. However, this can vary greatly depending on experience and skill level.

How to Become a Proofreader?

If you want to try making money with a proofreading career, you must ensure you have proofreading skills.

Having some knowledge of different writing styles and formatting can also be helpful. While these skills are important, as an entry-level proofreader, all you need to be able to do is spot mistakes, have a strong understanding of punctuation and grammar, and pay attention to details.

girl looking for online proofreading jobs

How Do I Find Online Proofreading Jobs?

There are tons of job listings for online proofreading jobs. When searching for proofreading work, it’s best to start with companies that have reputable editing and proofreading services. These are our favorites for the 30 best online proofreading jobs for beginners.

1. Fiverr

If you’re just starting with your proofreading business, it’s smart to begin your job search on a freelance job board site like Fiverr. There are plenty of freelance opportunities on Fiverr, not just proofreading jobs.

To offer freelance proofreading services on Fiverr, start by reviewing other freelance proofreaders. Evaluate their pricing, formats, specialties, and other important information you’ll need to list in your job posts for freelance work.

Give Fiverr A Try!

2. Upwork

Upwork is a top freelance online marketplace offering a variety of jobs for media and content professionals. You can browse online proofreading jobs and apply for those matching your expertise.

However, to submit a quote to apply for a proofreading job, you must create an account and set up your profile.

Come see what UPWORK IS ALL ABOUT!

3. Flexjobs

Another top place to find online proofreading jobs for freelancers is Flexjobs. A big advantage to Flexjobs is that it’s used by small companies needing proofreading skills and large corporations like Dell, Xerox, and Apple.

A great thing about this job board is that you don’t have to filter jobs by location. There are multiple freelance proofreader jobs for beginners. Or you can search through online jobs for other creative writing services, such as academic papers.

Check out Flexjobs! (CLick Here)

4. Freelancer

If you’ve been in the freelancing industry for long, you’ve likely explored the offerings from one of the most popular job board sites, Freelancer.com.

Freelancer.com shares similarities with Upwork. Both job board sites expect you to create a detailed profile listing your freelance proofreader skills. The more elaborate your profile, the better success you’ll have at finding editing jobs.

Check out Freelancer Here!

5. Wordvice

Wordvice has multiple job opportunities requiring professional editing and proofreading services listed on their site.

Find proofreading opportunities in the Jobs section. However, unlike other job boards, Wordvice often requires extensive editing experience and a relevant degree in proofreading or editing.

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6. Start Your Own Proofreading Business

While you can apply to work for a business offering a proofreading job, it’s also possible to start your own proofreading business.

You will be responsible for finding proofreading jobs online rather than jobs coming to you. You must also start your business properly, with all the legal aspects covered. Additional needs include a website and social media for your business.

7. Writer’s Relief

Writer’s Relief helps writers get their content in front of copy editors and literary agents. Writers can submit their materials for expert review to get a polished paper.

WR accepts proofreaders as copy editors to help creative writers make their submissions perfect. Interested copy editors in the United States can get accepted for remote proofreading jobs by filling out an application.

8. CACTUS Communications

CACTUS Communications has full-time and contractual proofreading and editing jobs. But they also have remote proofreading jobs for freelancers working from home.

You can browse their job board to find open proofreading jobs online. If you become an online proofreader, you can see how your skills align with the client through a workflow management system.

9. Amazon Proofreading Jobs

Only a few people know that Amazon offers freelance proofreading jobs. It could be because they refer to it as ‘Content Quality Associate’ rather than a freelance proofreader.

Search the Amazon job section on the website, filtering by location, job type, contract hours, and others. However, Amazon requires more skills than being able to spot grammatical errors. You don’t need to be a graduate or postgraduate student but need more job experience and skills.

10. ProofreadingServices.com

You can find full and part-time remote proofreading jobs on this website, and they accept applicants from all countries.

Your pay rate will depend on your project’s turnaround time, earning $19 to $46 an hour. You can earn more money by editing urgent papers. Getting accepted for an online proofreading position requires editing a short writing sample and answering some grammatical questions within a 20-minute time limit.

11. Lionbridge

Lionbridge offers a variety of work-from-home jobs for beginners. You can find proofreading jobs at this freelance marketplace to earn $24 to $27 an hour for online proofreading tasks.

You’ll have an advantage over other candidates if you speak multiple languages. There might be a requirement for you to complete a language test.

12. SmartBrief

SmartBrief is a digital media publisher that creates business news content for magazines, websites, and events.

Submit your resume and cover letter by filling out the application form on the site when there are openings for online jobs.

13. LinkedIn

LinkedIn isn’t only a site for you to show off your previous work experience and proofreading jobs. You can also browse their hefty job board for open proofreading opportunities.

Recruiters also use LinkedIn to headhunt qualified candidates. Listing your previous proofreading jobs and work experience can be a fast way for your profile to get in front of employers hiring for online proofreading jobs.

14. Polished Paper

Polished Paper has an ongoing need for exceptional editors. And they do not require their copy editors to have extensive experience or a complex hiring process.

Once you register for a user account, you’ll upload your resume full of previous proofreading experience. Before you can browse job opportunities they have available for proofreading jobs, you’ll have to complete a test of 35 questions.

15. Reedsy

Reedsy is a helpful resource for writers in need of help with completing a book. Writers can seek feedback from editors, designers, publicists, web designers, ghostwriters, VAs, and marketers.

You can list your own proofreading business on Reedsy by signing up for a profile. Once you add your skills, update your portfolio, and list previous proofreading and copyediting services, you have to wait for approval of your application.

Reedsy will display your info on their site if they accept your submission. The difference between Reedsy and other sites is that clients can only get quotes from 5 freelance editors at a time. Available rates for a 60,000-word book are around $700.

16. ProofreadingPal

Proofreading Pal offers a system of two proofreaders per piece to ensure each piece is perfectly polished. This proofreading job online has editors checking the content for grammar, verb tense, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.

It’s quoted that ProofreadingPal proofreaders can earn $500 to $3,000 a month. To find proofreading jobs on Proofreading Pal, qualified candidates require the following:

A 3.5 GPA graduate or postgraduate degree from a US university or college
Graduate degree with five years minimum experience with proofreading jobs

17. OneSpace Freelancers

If you’re searching the site for online proofreading jobs and don’t see one that applies to you, you can still submit an application. If a position matches your qualifications, the company will contact you with the opportunity.

OneSpace Freelancers has a straightforward application process. However, there can sometimes be an additional assessment if chosen for a proofreading job.

18. Craigslist

You can find proofreading jobs on Craigslist under the “Writing and Editing” category.

One way to browse online proofreading jobs is by location. But most of these proofreading jobs allow for remote work from home.

19. Clickworker

Clickworker also has listings for proofreading jobs for beginners. There are fewer educational requirements but plenty of opportunities to start an online proofreading business.

The basic requirements for signing up for proofreading jobs on Clickworker include:

Expert fluency in your native language.
Attention to detail.
Sticking to provided instructions.
Making corrections.

To become a proofreader on Clickworker, you must gain experience as a texter. For this, you’ll have to qualify as an author. Then, you’ll need to do some text creation tasks. Once you’ve met the requirements, you can take the proofreader assessment test.

20. EditFast

EditFast has an upfront policy you must agree to, saying that signing up for an account on their site does not guarantee you will get work. Signing up for EditFast gives clients access to your profile and lets you accept online proofreading jobs.

Your first step is to sign up for an account on EditFst. Once registered, you will need to do these additional steps.

Resume Builder
Editing Tests
Non-disclosure agreement
Web Page Builder

After you’ve submitted all your info, you have to wait and see if EditFast accepts your submission. If approved, EditFast will notify you that they have activated your profile and web page. EditFast does take 40% of your total earnings per project.

21. MediaBistro

MediaBistro is a popular online job site for media and content freelancers. You can search current job listings for freelance proofreading jobs, filtering only to see jobs that pertain to your search interest.

What sets MediaBistro apart is that they offer online courses to build skills to qualify for freelance positions.

22. Domainite

Domainite is a great website for beginners looking for proofreading jobs. If you’re new to online proofreading jobs and need to build out your resume, you might be able to develop a writing-intensive discipline.

However, the downside is that Domainite doesn’t pay well. You won’t make much money doing freelance proofreading here. But it can help you hone your skills to qualify for a better position elsewhere.

23. Scribbr

Scribbr is a proofreading and editing service that helps writers produce polished and error-free documents. If you want to become part of their team of highly qualified editors, they have minimal steps to get started. Head over to Scribbr and follow the steps below, and you’ll be on your way to landing an online proofreading job.

Do the language quiz.
Once you pass the quiz, complete a motivation statement and upload your resume for review.
Complete a language editing assessment.
Finish two training orders before accepting real customers’ orders.

24. Writing Jobz

First off, we love this website’s look! There are opportunities for beginners and advanced writers, including proofreading opportunities.

You can find tasks added to the site daily, giving you plenty of chances to find a role you’ll enjoy. Apply by filling in your information, providing your background experience, and marking your areas of interest. After applying, you have to complete a language test to get approved.

25. Scribe Media

Scribe Media is a must-use resource for anyone interested in getting professional help before publishing a book.

You can find tasks to apply for on the Careers page. There are various roles, with many being for proofreading services.

Scribe Media has excellent benefits, making it fantastic for finding the best online proofreading jobs. You can get a 3% company match 401(k), health insurance, education and tuition reimbursement, and six weeks of PTO per year, along with other perks.

26. Guru

Guru has some of the best proofreading jobs for freelancers. Search for “proofreading jobs” to narrow your selections to relevant roles.

Once you find jobs that interest you, you’ll have to create a quote you send to the customer for approval.

27. Scribendi

If you want to work for Scribendi, you’ll need to put your best content first and present yourself in a way that makes you a valuable asset to their elite, hand-picked team.

You can work for Scribendi anywhere worldwide if you can accept USD payments. Once you find proofreading jobs online with Scribendi, you must send your resume and a cover letter outlining your professional proofreading experience and salary expectations.

28. Gramlee

When you’re ready to start your own business proofreading online, Gramlee is a great place to begin.

Applying is easy. Fill out their application form with your information. Then, answer job-related questions about your experience.

29. ManagedEditing

You’ll need a college degree with five years of editing experience to land a job at ManagedEditing.

There is an application form that you have to complete on the website. The detailed test will require you to have enough time to complete it at one time.

30. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media is a website you’ll want to check regularly to find jobs. You must submit your resume and work samples once you find a position you want to apply for.

How to Get Started As a Entry-Level Proofreader

Proofreading is a great career for beginners because you don’t need qualifications to start.

When applying for proofreading jobs, check the qualifications for each position and your expected tasks. Your responsibilities can vary from job to job. But some standard tasks will be the same with all positions.

All proofreaders use the same style guides and operating systems. You can find free and paid proofreading courses to help familiarize yourself with these standards.

Besides staying current with your proofreading skills, you’ll want to build a steady and reliable client base. You can start with small jobs to establish experience.

What skills or degrees are required to be an online proofreader?

You don’t need a degree to work as a proofreader, although it can be advantageous to have one when applying for roles (as it always is with job hunting!).

The main skills that you will need as a proofreader are a good eye for spotting mistakes, a good understanding of grammar and punctuation, and an eye for detail.

Where can I get proofreading training at home?

Proofreading online doesn’t require completing a graduate degree program or earning a bachelor’s degree. Many times, you don’t even need to have proofreading experience.

You can complete a proofreading test to determine your experience level. You can enroll in an online proofreading course if you want to improve your proofreading skills after an editing test. There are also proofreading training programs offered by companies that hire editors.

Our favorite proofreading course to prepare you for a proofreading career is Proofread Anywhere.

But you don’t have to take proofreading courses to qualify for relevant jobs using your proofreading and editing services.

Pros and Cons of Being a Freelance Proofreader

Let’s look at some pros and cons of being a freelance proofreader:

Pros

There is a low barrier to becoming a professional proofreader.
Work can be done from anywhere – home, traveling, while waiting on your kids’ sports, etc.
You don’t require previous experience to start.
The work can be easy and enjoyable for those who are good at spotting errors naturally.
You can make decent pay when you’ve got enough experience under your belt.

Cons

Some clients can be difficult.
The work may become boring over time.
You may not make a competitive rate when you first start.

FAQs – Proofreading Jobs From Home No Experience

Can you really edit papers for money?

Yes, you can! New content gets created daily, leaving a lot of material needing editors. There are essays, blog posts, books, academic papers, social media content, and more.

It can be hard to spot errors in our work. However, publishing content that isn’t polished can look unprofessional and inexperienced. So, most people are willing to pay good money to have their content professionally edited.

Targeting larger corporations or brands that publish a lot of content can be a good idea for proofreaders because you’ll have consistent work.

Are proofreading jobs remote?

There are exceptions to the rule, but most proofreading jobs are remote, which is perfect if you need a position where you can work from your own home.

When you are looking for proofreading jobs online, you can usually filter your search to see if the job offered is remote.

Is proofreading as a side hustle a good idea?

Proofreading can be a good side hustle for people interested in proofreading and spotting errors. It doesn’t matter if you have experience.

When you’re starting with a side hustle or getting back into making money on the side, proofreading can be a great way to start making money.

Since most proofreading roles are remote, you have the flexibility of doing it part-time to make extra money. Or turn it into a regular side hustle you do when you have free time to supplement your regular income.

We’re big fans of side hustles. You can use the extra cash to work towards your financial goals, like paying down debt or saving for family vacations.

Editing work vs. proofreading jobs

Many people think proofreading and editing are the same, but they’re not. Proofreaders check content for obvious mistakes like grammar and spelling.

Editors go into more depth in their read-throughs to correct bigger mistakes. An editor’s job is to make the content its best, like changing sentences to make it more structured.

Entry-Level Proofreading Jobs Online – Final Thoughts

We hope this article has helped you decide if an entry-level proofreading job suits you. We’ve presented 30 of the best online proofreading jobs for beginners to get you started searching for where to find the best proofreading jobs.

We love recommending proofreading as a job because nearly anyone can do it from anywhere. Find the best online proofreading jobs with this list, or check out our other side hustle ideas.

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