How to hire an editor/proofreader

How to hire an editor/proofreader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step editor/proofreader hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an editor/proofreader job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new editor/proofreader
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The editor/proofreader hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect editor/proofreader also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of editor/proofreader salaries for various roles:

   Type of Editor/Proofreader	Description	Hourly rate
   Editor/Proofreader		$15-43
   Service Writer	A service writer is an employee who acts as an informative middleman between a business owner and its customers in the automotive sector. To develop this relationship, service writers must provide successful management of product or service delivery to their customers... Show more	$11-29
   Copy Editor	The primary job of copy editors is to check for misspellings, incorrect punctuation, and consistency in typography, words, and style. They also act as fact-checkers, proofreaders, and project managers, overseeing the workflow and communicating with other departments... Show more	$18-47

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Proofreading
   • Grammar
   • Web Content
   • English-Language
   • Financial Statements
   • Press Releases
   • Fiction
   • Editorial Services
   • House Style
   • Copyedit
   • Sentence Structure
   • Journal Articles
   • SEO
   • PowerPoint

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage academic books on political history and philosophy, as well as revisions on fiction.
   • Manage copywriting, rewriting/reworking copy and presentations.
   • Work on web pages, PowerPoint presentations, and print ads.
   • Incorporate keywords and tags for SEO.
   • Proofread labels and inserts for FDA regulations.
   • Experience in word, excel, and HTML coding.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your editor/proofreader job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An editor/proofreader salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, editor/proofreaders' average salary in iowa is 44% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level editor/proofreaders earn 64% less than senior-level editor/proofreaders.
   • Certifications. An editor/proofreader with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an editor/proofreader's salary.

   Average editor/proofreader salary

   $54,450yearly

   $26.18 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level editor/proofreader salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing an editor/proofreader job description

   An editor/proofreader job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an editor/proofreader job description:

   Editor/proofreader job description example

   Duration:0-12 month(s)
   
   Position is part-time and will have variable hours based on workload typically 20-30/weekly.
   
   Quality Assurance Editor
   The Quality Assurance Editor is responsible for the Quality Assurance Reviews and Editing of learning and training materials and courseware produced for a wide range of clients. The content involves training delivered via a blended solution including Job Aids, Instructor Led Training Materials, and Web Based e-Learning courses.
   
   Main Duties:
   Conduct quality assurance reviews to ensure that the integrity and consistency of all deliverables meet customer expectations.
   Proofread, rewrite, and edit content to improve readability and to correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
   Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of all applicable style, writing standards, and terminology for the specific project.
   Apply style, writing standards, and terminology to all training content and correct errors to maintain consistency.
   Verify facts, dates, and statistics using standard reference sources.
   Work closely with Instructional Designers and Subject Matter Experts to convey understanding of project-specific style and writing standards.
   Interface daily with Instructional Designer(s), Project Manager, Project Lead, Subject Matter Expert(s), as well as members of functional teams such as Graphic Artists and test lab personnel.
   
   Candidate Requirements:
   
   Essential:
   Demonstrated experience in editing/proofreading training materials and courseware with advanced levels of proficiency in the following:
   Editing and writing skills (use of language, grammar, spelling, organizing content).
   Knowledge and demonstrated mastery of U.S. English, including the meaning and spelling of words, the rules of composition, grammar and usage.
   Knowledge of commonly used style guides and dictionaries; knowledge of application of style to content
   Work on multiple projects simultaneously while meeting schedule, cost and quality controls
   Proficiency using MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel
   
   Desirable:
   Experience in using the latest development tools, such Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline 360, and Adobe Acrobat
   Knowledge of commonly used concepts practices and procedures within Instructional Systems Design
   Ability to work with a diverse group of professionals across multiple functions to ensure project requirements are met
   Ability to work with Virtual team members
   
   Required Education:
   Demonstrated qualification in editing and proofreading
   Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Communications, English, or related field
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer Veterans/Disabled
   
   * While an hourly range is posted for this position, an eventual hourly rate is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis which considers multiple factors including but not limited to: job-related knowledge, skills and qualifications, education and experience as compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work, if applicable, and market and business considerations. Benefits offered include medical, dental and vision benefits; dependent care flexible spending account; 401(k) plan; voluntary life/short term disability/whole life/term life/accident and critical illness coverage; employee assistance program; sick leave in accordance with regulation. Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right editor/proofreader for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your editor/proofreader job on Zippia to find and recruit editor/proofreader candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit editor/proofreaders, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new editor/proofreader

   Once you've selected the best editor/proofreader candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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