32+ Proofreading Jobs Online – No Experience (Legitimate)

Welcome to my super-detailed mega list of online proofreading jobs for beginners and pros! Many of these companies let you work from anywhere and take on as much or as little work as you want.

This post covers (click to go to that section of the article):

As you can see, I’ve organized the list of 32 proofreading jobs into categories: those that require a university degree or editing certification and those that do not.

The proofreading companies that fall into the latter category may require that their proofreaders and copy editors have some previous editing experience, but many of them offer entry-level positions for beginners.

Wherever possible, I have included the following information about each proofreading job:

  • What kind of editing and proofreading does the company specialize in?
  • Does the company hire proofreaders worldwide or just within the U.S., Canada, and the UK? Can their freelancers work from anywhere?
  • Are they hiring for full-time or part-time positions? Is the schedule flexible?
  • How much proofreading work is available?
  • How much and how often does the company pay?
  • What kind of reviews do they have from freelance staff on job review sites like Glassdoor?
  • Does the company require their proofreaders to have a degree or editing experience, or do they also hire beginners with no experience?
  • What is the application process?

I have freelanced for a couple of the companies on this list, and I have included my own experience with them where relevant.

Let’s dive in!

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure for more info.

How Much Do Online Proofreading Companies Pay?

While online jobs with content agencies offer the promise of quick and easy work, the pay is usually on the lower end. The hourly rates paid out by a few of the companies listed here range from $25-$60, but many of the entry-level companies pay a per-word rate that amounts to $10-$15 per hour for most of their proofreaders.

Independent proofreaders (who work for their own clients rather than an editing agency) can earn a lot more. According to Writer’s Market, proofreaders in the book publishing industry charge an average of $31 per hour, up to $75 on the high end. Editors of business material charge an average of $70 per hour, up to $150 on the high end.

According to Salary.com, “The average proofreader salary in the United States is $52,849 as of November 25, 2020, but the range typically falls between $46,376 and $60,347.”

To increase your proofreading earnings, start building your private client roster as early in the game as possible, and eventually you’ll be able to cut out the lower-paying “content mill” and agency gigs or use them as backup work. This is what I did in my transcription business, and with my first few clients, I was able to more than triple my previous hourly rates.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to start your own proofreading business and find private clients, sign up for this free workshop by Caitlin Pyle of Proofread Anywhere.

Caitlin uses an iPad with an annotation app to proofread, which means she can work from anywhere – on her couch, waiting at the doctor’s office, on the bus, or in a hotel. She consistently made between $3,000 and $4,000 per month proofreading just 20-30 hours a week before she started teaching others how to build their own successful proofreading businesses.

Online Proofreading Job Boards

The following job boards often list work-from-home proofreading jobs:

  • ProBlogger job board. The ultimate place for finding remote writing and editing work with top companies, brands, and startups.
  • BloggingPro job board. Another good source of editorial job leads.
  • JournalismJobs.com. One of the top job boards for experienced media professionals.
  • Remote.co. One of my favorite free job boards for remote work of all kinds.
  • MediaBistro. Find remote jobs in the media, marketing, advertising, and publishing industries.
  • LinkedIn Job Search. LinkedIn usually has a lot of listings for remote jobs from legitimate companies. You can set up a job alert for free and get notifications about jobs that match your preferences.

Other Proofreading Job Websites

Here are some other sites where you can find legitimate proofreading work:

FlexJobs. A trusted source of high-quality online and flexible job leads. In addition to proofreading jobs, they have tons of pre-screened telecommuting jobs in every other category imaginable, including writing, transcription, project management, event planning, and social media management.

It’s free to browse all the editing and proofreading jobs on FlexJobs. To apply to all the jobs you like, the site charges a small monthly fee. (Tip: Use the code Save30 to get 30 percent off the subscription price.)

Upwork. This well-known freelance marketplace connects clients with freelancers of all kinds. As a freelancer on this platform, you can search for job postings that match your skills and submit a proposal. Upwork takes a commission of your earnings as a service fee; however, it’s free to sign up.

Fiverr. Another popular freelance marketplace that was originally known for providing small freelance services for $5 each. Fiverr has since changed their policies to allow freelancers to charge more. While you probably won’t get rich on Fiverr, some savvy freelancers do very well with it. If you can come up with a small proofreading or editing service that you can complete quickly and charge a worthwhile rate for, then you might like Fiverr.

Proofreading Companies that May Hire Proofreaders Without a Degree

The following proofreading companies are, or may be, open to hiring beginners with no degree. However, you may still need some editing experience.

A quick note before jumping in: Don’t ever pay anyone to hire you for an online job . Proofreading companies often require freelancers to take an unpaid assessment test, which is standard in the industry. However, legitimate companies won’t ask you to pay a fee in exchange for a job. Real jobs pay you, not the other way around! So always make sure to do your research on a company and take note of any red flags.

Book Editing Associates
This service, formed in 1998, matches authors with book editors, proofreaders, indexers, and publishing consultants. They charge clients anywhere between $0.01-$0.12 per word depending on what level of editing is required. To apply as a copy editor or proofreader, you must pass a test. The company states that only two percent of applicants pass their proofreading test. Freelancers set their own rate and work directly with clients. They require applicants to be 100 percent freelance (no day job) with consistent availability, 5+ years of editing experience, and a track record of published books that they’ve edited.
Apply Here: https://www.book-editing.com/how-to-join-book-editing-associates/

Cactus Communications
This established communications firm has been ranked five years running among FlexJobs’ Top 20 Companies with Remote Jobs. The company offers freelance editing and translation jobs, and they claim to have steady work. Depending on the position you’re applying for, you may need a university degree. Pay is monthly. There are many freelancer reviews for this company on Glassdoor and Indeed, so check those out if you’re interested in learning more.
Apply Here: https://jobs.cactusglobal.com/freelance#freelance

Constant Content
This content writing site hires freelance writers and editors from around the world. I did some writing for Constant Content back in the day, and I sold short articles on there for up to $250 USD, making this one of the higher-paying content writing opportunities for beginners that I’m aware of. (I’m not sure whether the site works the same way as it used to, but you could write whatever you wanted and set your own prices.) I was unable to find any information on how to apply as an editor with Constant Content, but it looks like you have to sign up to be a writer first. Payments are once a month via Stripe or TransferWise.
Apply Here: https://www.constant-content.com/freelance-writing-jobs.htm

CopyPress
This content marketing agency hires freelance writers and editors to work on blog posts, articles, product descriptions, e-books, and white papers for businesses and brands. I did some proofreading work for CopyPress in the past and enjoyed it. The downside was that, although payments always came in, they were often delayed, which is why I stopped working for the company. (This was years ago, so I expect they’ve resolved this issue by now.) The company is open to hiring qualified proofreaders without a degree. You’ll most likely need to successfully complete a proofreading test. There’s a link for editors at the URL below, but it links to a FAQ database, so you may have to reach out to the company directly to inquire about editing positions.
Apply Here: https://www.copypress.com/contact-us/

Domainite
This company offers a variety of marketing and web design services. They hire freelance writers and editors to write and proofread articles and blog posts. To apply as a writer or editor with Domainite, you need to successfully edit the writing sample at the link below. The company claims to provide daily work. Pay rate is $1 per 100 words for writers and $0.25 per 100 words for proofreaders. Payment is via PayPal. For more information about the company, here is an older Reddit thread about Domainite.
Apply Here: https://domainite.com/editing-sample/

Dotdash
Dotdash is a large digital media company that publishes content about a wide variety of subjects. Their brands include Investopedia, The Balance, The Spruce, and Lifewire, among others. They offer a variety of remote contract and freelance positions, including writing and editorial work. I browsed some job listings for their “update editor” roles, and it looks like they typically pay $25 per hour. They currently only hire residents of the United States. Depending on the position, a bachelor’s degree and prior experience may be required. As an update editor for Dotdash, you’ll be required to commit to a minimum of 20 hours of work per week. Browse their current openings at the link below.
Apply Here: https://www.dotdash.com/careers/

EditorLive.com
This company hires editors and proofreaders on a full-time contract basis to work on academic and business papers. They are open to hiring editors outside the United States if they are eligible to be a contractor for a U.S. company. While the company doesn’t require its editors to have a degree, editors must have experience writing academic papers. There are some reviews on Glassdoor for this company, so check those out if you’re interested in working for them. One review states that, at around $100-$150 per day, the pay is low for professional editors. To apply, complete the application form and test on their website.
Apply Here: https://www.editorlive.com/editor-opportunities.html

Gramlee
This company provides copyediting, grammar check, and proofreading services at $0.03 per word with a 24-hour turnaround. They specialize in dissertation editing services. They say of their editors, “We seek out the best and pay them well to ensure they have rapport with our values.” To apply, fill out the employment application on their website.
Apply Here: https://www.gramlee.com/jobs.html

Kibin
This essay editing company hires freelance editors. They have several reviews from freelancers on Glassdoor. In reply to one of these reviews, the company’s CEO states that brand-new editors can earn between $5.25-$7.43 on a 500-word edit, while editors who have been with the company for longer can $6.13-$8.66 on a 500-word edit. Check the URL below for current openings.
Apply Here: https://www.kibin.com/proofreading-jobs

OneSpace
This freelance platform was originally called CrowdSource. They advertise online jobs for editing, as well as for other freelance services like transcription, writing, and taking surveys. You can work as much or as little as you want, and payment is daily via PayPal. They hire worldwide, but from what I understand, this site mainly offers “microtasks,” so the pay is very likely not worth it for North American freelancers.
Apply Here: https://freelance.onespace.com/freelancers/apply/

Polished Paper
This editing and proofreading agency looks like a high-quality company that likely pays professional rates to its freelancers. They proofread business materials, websites, blogs, resumes, book manuscripts, and scripts. They also provide academic proofreading services, including dissertations and essays. Their services cover the most popular style guides, including Business, APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and CSE. To apply, first register for an account on the website and upload your resume. Then you’ll need to successfully complete a comprehensive editing examination.
Apply Here: https://polishedpaper.com/editor/register

Proofreading-Services.com
I’m including this website in this list of online proofreading jobs because I’ve seen this company come up again and again on other work-from-home blogs. However, I’ve never heard of anyone who has actually worked for this company. They state proofreaders are welcome to apply from any country, and the company advertises pay rates of $19-$46 per hour. If you have worked for Proofreading-Services.com, feel free to reach out and let me know your experience with the company so I can update this entry.
Apply Here: https://www.proofreadingservices.com/pages/careers

Purecontent
This UK-based content marketing agency hires freelance writers and editors around the world. Editing projects are assigned to you by email, and payments are made monthly by PayPal. To apply as an editor, you’ll need to edit a sample piece. While previous editing experience is preferred, this company is open to hiring beginners.
Apply Here: https://purecontent.com/joinournetwork/

Reedsy
This London-based author services platform appears to be like the Upwork of the self-publishing industry, connecting authors with other publishing professionals, including editors, book cover designers, publicists, and translators. However, unlike Upwork, clients can only request quotes from five freelancers at a time, increasing your odds of getting hired for a project. As an editor on the Reedsy platform, you receive requests from clients, set your own rates, and collaborate with authors via their platform. Project deadlines and payments are scheduled automatically via the Reedsy platform, so you never have to chase clients for money. Reedsy charges a service fee of 10 percent of freelancer earnings for using the platform. To apply, sign up for free and create a profile. If your application is accepted, your profile will become available to clients.
Apply Here: https://reedsy.com/join-our-community

Scribe Media
This company, formerly Book in a Box, works with authors to write, publish, and market their books. They’ve been recognized as one of the best companies to work with in America, and they hire freelancers for various editorial roles (check the page below for openings). Pay rates for the freelance openings currently listed range from $45-$60 per hour, and they offer steady work. Credentials, while they may be helpful, are not required to apply. The company has a lot of (mainly positive) reviews on Glassdoor, so make sure to check those out if you’re interested in working for this company.
Apply Here: https://scribemedia.com/careers/

Scripted
This content writing company hires freelance writers and editors, and their pay is known to be a little higher than most content writing sites. As an editor for Scripted, you’ll proofread and edit blog posts, social media posts, email newsletters, and website copy. They don’t have pay rates for editors listed on their website, but their writers earn over $0.10 per word on average. You don’t need a degree to work for Scripted; however, previous editing experience is preferred, and you’ll need to pass an editing test. Scripted hires editors in 24 different countries (you must be able to accept payments via Stripe). To become an editor for Scripted, you must first apply as a writer and achieve a Gold Tier, which represents the top 15 percent of Scripted writers. As an editor, you’ll be able to claim assignments from a queue at your leisure. Read the editor FAQ here.
Apply Here: https://www.scripted.com/become-a-scripted-writer

SmartBrief
This company is a digital media publisher of business news. They hire editors and proofreaders for remote employee positions. The company offers perks and benefits and has several generally positive reviews on Glassdoor; however, freelancers review the pay as being “just OK” to “on the low side.” Depending on the position you’re applying for, you may not need a degree but will likely need some proofreading or editing experience. Currently, they’re advertising editorial positions for remote staff based in the United States and the UK. Check the careers page for job openings.
Apply Here: https://www.smartbrief.com/about/our-company/careers

Textbroker
This well-known content writing site hires freelance writers and, occasionally, editors. I’m not sure what the application process is, but you probably have to sign up as a writer on the site first. I know in the past they’ve advertised job posts for editing positions on the ProBlogger job board, such as this one.
Apply Here: https://www.textbroker.com/authors

WriterAccess
This content writing site hires freelance writers and editors. Currently, they only accept U.S. editors who have PayPal accounts. Pay rates for editing range from $0.007 per word to $0.14 per word, depending on your “star level” with the site. Payment is twice per month. As an editor for writer access, you can log into the site at your leisure and claim editing jobs from a queue of assignments. Read the editor FAQ here.
Apply Here: https://www.writeraccess.com/apply/

Proofreading Jobs that Require a Degree or Editing Certificate

The following online proofreading jobs require a degree or an editing certificate. I’ve highlighted the company requirements in bold text.

American Journal Experts
This company provides editing and author services for academic research publication. They hire independent contract editors. I looked up some online reviews left by freelance editors who have worked for the company. Consensus is that pay is low and work is not always available, with one reviewer stating that most editors make less than minimum wage. However, one freelancer noted it’s a good way to get professional editing experience for higher-paying opportunities. One Indeed reviewer stated, “This was an easy way to pick up extra money during graduate school, but it would not be a great full-time job.” To qualify as a contract editor with AJE, you must either be enrolled in a graduate program or possess a graduate degree, and you must have a current or former affiliation with an accredited U.S. college or university.
Apply Here: https://www.aje.com/recruitment/

Edit911
This highly reviewed proofreading service works with corporate and academic clients, editing dissertations, theses, and books. They only hire proofreaders with a PhD. To apply, send in your resume and a sample of your writing.
Apply Here: https://edit911.com/employment/

EditFast
This editing company hires editors, proofreaders, copy editors, writers, and indexers. When a new freelance assignment comes in, the company sends it to the best qualified editor for that assignment. Payment is made once a month through PayPal. Editors for EditFast must have a university degree.
Apply Here: https://editfast.com/english/editjobs.htm

Enago
This company provides author services for the global research community, helping researchers around the world achieve publication success. They hire freelance editors to edit academic papers in a variety of subject areas. Editors for Enago must have at least five years of academic copyediting, substantive editing, and/or proofreading experience, as well as relevant subject matter expertise. The company prefers to hire editors with academic research experience or a certificate and/or experience in academic editing and publishing. Check the URL below for current openings. To apply, you’ll need to send in your resume and then complete an editing sample.
Apply Here: https://www.enago.com/careers/current-openings.htm#contentanchor

English Trackers
This company hires academic editors to work on research papers by ESL authors. As an editor for the company, you can work where you want and take assignments when you want to. You must be able to accept payment via PayPal in USD currency. Payment is monthly. Editors for English Trackers must have a PhD or be an academic editor with verifiable experience. Additionally, editors must have a minimum of two years of professional academic editing experience.
Apply Here: https://www.englishtrackers.com/about-us/join-us

FinalEyes Communications
This Alberta, Canada-based company provides professional editing, copywriting, and proofreading services. This is a smaller locally focused business that, to my knowledge, has not yet been featured on other proofreading jobs lists. They look like a high-quality company – and in my experience, these lesser-known opportunities can turn out to be the most rewarding! FinalEyes requires proofreaders to have a professional editing certification. To apply, you’ll need to submit your resume and samples of your work.
Apply Here: https://www.final-eyes.com/about-us/opportunities/

Prompt
This highly reviewed company provides college admissions essay feedback to students. They hire writing coaches on a remote contract basis. As a writing coach with Prompt, you’ll provide comprehensive feedback to help students improve their essays and develop their writing skills. The pay works out to a base rate of $25-$30 per hour, and the company occasionally offers bonuses as well. Applicants for this position must have at least a bachelor’s degree. Experience in teaching, tutoring, or professional writing/editing is also helpful, but not required.
Apply Here: https://prompt.breezy.hr

ProofreadingPal.com
This company proofreads and edit all kinds of documents. To work for them, you must either be currently enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate program at an accredited U.S. university with a minimum GPA of 3.5, or have a graduate degree with a minimum of five years of professional proofreading and editing experience. However, several reviews on Glassdoor complain that the pay rates don’t measure up to the company’s high standards for its proofreaders.
Apply Here: https://proofreadingpal.com/proofreading-career-opportunities.php

Scribendi
This established proofreading agency hires editors and proofreaders to work on a variety of academic content, including dissertations and theses. As a proofreader for Scribendi, you may also work on book manuscripts, websites, blogs, proposals, essays, and resumes. The company is headquartered in Ontario, Canada, but they welcome applicants from all over the world. You can choose the assignments that you want to work on and whether you want to work full-time, part-time, or occasionally. The company pays promptly, once a month via Payoneer. Proofreaders for Scribendi are required to have a university degree and at least three years of related experience. To apply, you’ll need to take a proofreading test.
Apply Here: https://www.scribendi.com/jobs.en.html#freelance

Scribbr
Most of the editing projects you’ll work on for this academic proofreading and editing company are theses and dissertations. Therefore, the company only accepts applications from editors with a university degree. The application process looks fairly involved, but according to their website, you can expect to earn approximately €20 to €25 per hour on average. Assignments are sent via email, and you can choose to accept or decline the assignment. As a freelancer for Scribbr, you specify your availability and the types of assignments you want to proofread, but you must be available to work for at least 10 hours a week. You can work from anywhere in the world. Payments are twice monthly, and the company claims to have a lot of work.
Apply Here: https://www.scribbr.com/freelance-native-english-editor/

Managed Editing
Formerly known as Wordfirm Inc., this company provides proofreading and editing services for nonprofit organizations, institutes, think tanks, publishers, government agencies, and educational institutions. They occasionally hire editors as independent contractors. Their website specifies that applicants should have a college degree and at least five years of editing experience. Their editors can work from anywhere. To apply, fill out the online application.
Apply Here: https://managedediting.com/freelance-work.html

Wordvice
This academic editing and proofreading firm hires freelance editors, translators, content writers, educational video instructors, and online English tutors. As an editor for Wordvice, you’ll proofread research articles, dissertations, theses, and admissions essays. Work is assigned to editors based on background experience and availability. The company states they have consistent work. You can choose your own availability and workload and work from anywhere. To qualify for an editing position with Wordvice, you must either be enrolled in or have completed a graduate degree program and have a minimum of two years’ professional editing experience. The company asks that you include your expected pay rate in your application. Payment is monthly. To apply, you’ll need to submit a resume and complete an editing sample.
Apply Here: https://wordvice.com/career/editor/

WordsRU
This Australia-based company provides high-quality editing and proofreading services for academics, authors, and businesses. The company’s website states, “We do not run a labor marketplace, with multiple contractors bidding for the lowest price.” To qualify as a freelance proofreader with WordsRU, you need a master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent professional experience in any academic discipline. You must also have two years of professional experience as an editor, copy editor, or proofreader. To apply, send in your resume and cover letter.
Apply Here: https://wordsru.com/jobs

Other Job Search Tips for Proofreaders

When you’re searching for proofreading jobs online, don’t overlook local editing companies. In my experience, smaller companies often pay better and value their staff more. Additionally, there’s less competition for these local jobs.

If you found this post helpful, you might also be interested in the following resources:

Thanks so much for visiting my blog. If you have an online proofreading job to recommend, feel free to share it in the comments!

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