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Proofreader salary
Average proofreader salary
$49,392
Understanding the Proofreader Salary Landscape
As of October 2025, the average salary for a proofreader in the United States stands at approximately $49,392 per year. This salary can vary widely based on various factors such as experience level, geographic location, and the specific industry in which one works. For instance, proofreaders with more years of experience tend to earn higher wages compared to their entry-level counterparts.
In terms of geographical distribution, states like California, New York, and Texas often offer higher salaries for proofreaders due to the higher cost of living and greater demand for skilled writers. For example, California remains one of the highest-paying states for this profession, with average salaries reaching up to $57,000 annually.
Moreover, specialized proofreading roles, such as those in technical or legal fields, can command even higher salaries. Understanding these nuances helps job seekers position themselves effectively in the job market. By targeting specific industries and states, aspiring proofreaders can enhance their earning potential and career opportunities.
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Where can a Proofreader earn more?
Proofreader salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level proofreader | $44,000 | $21.13 |
| Mid-level proofreader | $53,300 | $25.64 |
| Senior-level proofreader | $62,700 | $30.15 |
Proofreader salary estimates from across the web
Average proofreader salary by state
The average proofreader salary in Alaska, California, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average proofreader salary states are Vermont, Alabama, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for proofreaders
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $67,718 | $32.56 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $59,071 | $28.40 |
| 3 | New York | $56,710 | $27.26 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| 5 | Nebraska | $54,636 | $26.27 |
| 6 | California | $64,308 | $30.92 |
| 7 | Utah | $56,094 | $26.97 |
| 8 | Illinois | $53,436 | $25.69 |
| 9 | Colorado | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| 10 | Missouri | $52,571 | $25.27 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $51,974 | $24.99 |
| 12 | Michigan | $52,721 | $25.35 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $55,306 | $26.59 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $52,796 | $25.38 |
| 15 | Arizona | $48,765 | $23.44 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $50,903 | $24.47 |
| 17 | Delaware | $47,856 | $23.01 |
| 18 | Virginia | $49,942 | $24.01 |
| 19 | Kansas | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $50,453 | $24.26 |
| 21 | Texas | $48,486 | $23.31 |
| 22 | Washington | $48,453 | $23.29 |
| 23 | Arkansas | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| 24 | Nevada | $45,758 | $22.00 |
| 25 | Connecticut | $46,805 | $22.50 |
| 26 | Idaho | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| 27 | Oregon | $45,055 | $21.66 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $41,976 | $20.18 |
| 29 | Montana | $42,848 | $20.60 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $46,378 | $22.30 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $45,374 | $21.81 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $47,536 | $22.85 |
| 33 | Maryland | $47,142 | $22.66 |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $42,934 | $20.64 |
| 35 | Maine | $43,554 | $20.94 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $43,745 | $21.03 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 38 | Ohio | $43,028 | $20.69 |
| 39 | Massachusetts | $44,458 | $21.37 |
| 40 | Indiana | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $46,881 | $22.54 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $44,705 | $21.49 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | $45,601 | $21.92 |
| 44 | Georgia | $44,429 | $21.36 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $44,753 | $21.52 |
| 46 | Alabama | $40,835 | $19.63 |
| 47 | Vermont | $41,590 | $20.00 |
| 48 | Iowa | $37,629 | $18.09 |
| 49 | Florida | $37,985 | $18.26 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $39,388 | $18.94 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $37,935 | $18.24 |
Highest paying cities for proofreaders
The highest-paying cities for proofreaders are San Mateo, CA, Wheeling, WV, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Mateo, CA | $66,356 | $31.90 |
| 2 | Wheeling, WV | $59,768 | $28.73 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| 4 | Gurnee, IL | $54,308 | $26.11 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $54,132 | $26.02 |
| 6 | Saint Louis, MO | $52,769 | $25.37 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $52,640 | $25.31 |
| 8 | Arlington, VA | $51,265 | $24.65 |
| 9 | Austin, TX | $49,297 | $23.70 |
| 10 | Olympia, WA | $49,079 | $23.60 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $48,936 | $23.53 |
| 12 | Baltimore, MD | $47,389 | $22.78 |
| 13 | Washington, DC | $46,887 | $22.54 |
| 14 | Madison, WI | $46,086 | $22.16 |
| 15 | Hartford, CT | $46,052 | $22.14 |
| 16 | Little Rock, AR | $44,547 | $21.42 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $44,356 | $21.32 |
| 18 | Boston, MA | $44,243 | $21.27 |
| 19 | Indianapolis, IN | $43,528 | $20.93 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $42,633 | $20.50 |
Proofreader salary details
A proofreader's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $78,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a proofreader's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $78,000 | $6,500 | $38 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| Average | $49,392 | $4,116 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying proofreader jobs
The highest paying types of proofreaders are copy editor/proofreader, editor/proofreader, and editorial assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Writer | $39,016 | $3,251 | $18.76 | 163,441 |
| Copy Editor/Proofreader | $72,246 | $6,020 | $34.73 | 5,290 |
| Editor/Proofreader | $54,450 | $4,538 | $26.18 | 4,902 |
Top companies hiring proofreaders now:
Which companies pay proofreaders the most?
Proofreader salaries at WLRK and Havas Worldwide are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average proofreader salary at companies like Wpp Us Holdings Inc and VIVA USA are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WLRK | $93,236 | $44.83 |
| 2 | Havas Worldwide | $77,986 | $37.49 |
| 3 | Wpp Us Holdings Inc | $77,059 | $37.05 |
| 4 | VIVA USA | $73,275 | $35.23 |
| 5 | Goldbelt Falcon | $70,936 | $34.10 |
| 6 | Epiq | $69,874 | $33.59 |
| 7 | Dahl Consulting | $63,297 | $30.43 |
| 8 | EisnerAmper | $61,847 | $29.73 |
| 9 | ExamWorks | $61,818 | $29.72 |
| 10 | Vinson & Elkins | $59,426 | $28.57 |
| 11 | TalentBurst | $57,925 | $27.85 |
| 12 | MES Solutions | $57,843 | $27.81 |
| 13 | Workiva | $52,939 | $25.45 |
| 14 | Washington State University | $52,595 | $25.29 |
| 15 | SiriusXM | $52,086 | $25.04 |
| 16 | ALDI USA | $51,951 | $24.98 |
| 17 | Burkhart Dental Supply | $49,878 | $23.98 |
| 18 | John McNeil Studio | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| 19 | Avila Therapeutics | $49,410 | $23.75 |
| 20 | Main Industries | $49,024 | $23.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Proofreader salary by industry
The average proofreader salary varies across industries:
- The average proofreader salary in the education industry is $56,676, the highest of any industry.
- The average proofreader salary in the finance industry is $56,643.
- Proofreaders in the manufacturing industry earn an average salary of $43,130, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for proofreaders
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $56,676 | $27.25 |
| 2 | Finance | $56,643 | $27.23 |
| 3 | Insurance | $51,715 | $24.86 |
| 4 | Professional | $51,024 | $24.53 |
| 5 | Media | $49,465 | $23.78 |
| 6 | Technology | $49,095 | $23.60 |
| 7 | Retail | $43,235 | $20.79 |
| 8 | Manufacturing | $43,130 | $20.74 |
High paying proofreader jobs
Proofreader salary trends
The average proofreader salary has risen by $11,046 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average proofreader earned $38,346 annually, but today, they earn $49,392 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for proofreaders over the last decade.
Compare proofreader salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average proofreader salary over time
Compare proofreader salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Proofreader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,400 | $23.75 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $48,800 | $23.45 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $47,000 | $22.59 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $45,100 | $21.67 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $44,400 | $21.33 | +3.6% |
Recently added proofreader salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rr Donnelley | Legal Proofreader-3Rd Shift (Hybrid) | Phoenix, AZ | 06/29/2025 | $36,836 |
| The Pee Dee Community Action Partnership Company | Proofreading | Blue Mound, TX | 06/29/2025 | $108,524 |
| Rr Donnelley | Legal Document Proofreader | Wheeling, WV | 06/26/2025 | $39,319 |
| Robert Half | Proofreader | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/26/2025 | $39,653 |
| Williams Lea | Proofreader M-F; 7AM-4PM | Columbus, OH | 06/26/2025 | $44,349 |
| Williams Lea | Hybrid Proofreader-MON-FRI 3Pm-12Am | Wheeling, WV | 06/22/2025 | $39,319 |
| TCG Financial | Proofreader | New York, NY | 06/10/2025 | $93,915 |
| Deentek Solutions, LLC | Proofreader | Canutillo, TX | 06/10/2025 | $96,002 |
| Weapon X Security | Proofreading | Los Angeles, CA | 06/10/2025 | $62,610 |
| Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz | Proofreader | New York, NY | 06/09/2025 | $75,500 |
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