How much do Proofreaders and Copy Markers make?
Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn a median annual salary of $51,120 in the United States, which works out to roughly $24.58 per hour for full-time work. Most earn between $34,510 at the entry level and $79,290 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $41,170 and $62,390 a year.
That is $10,270 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary range by percentile
Half of all Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn between $41,170 and $62,390 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,510 | $16.59 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,170 | $19.79 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,120 | $24.58 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,390 | $30.00 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,290 | $38.12 |
Highest-paying states for Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Proofreaders and Copy Markers pay at $68,120 a year, followed by New York ($59,740) and California ($57,490). At the other end, Michigan posts the lowest median at $35,530 — a gap of $32,590 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $68,120 | $32.75 | +33% |
| 2 | New York | $59,740 | $28.72 | +17% |
| 3 | California | $57,490 | $27.64 | +12% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $57,160 | $27.48 | +12% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $56,700 | $27.26 | +11% |
Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 26 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 5,000 people work as Proofreaders and Copy Markers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $54,800 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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