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Proofreading Jobs: 38 Best Online Options from Home

Hannah Yang

Proofreading is a necessary step for all written content, including blog posts, journalism articles, fiction, and more.

Becoming a proofreader is a great option if you’re looking for a flexible income stream. You can work from home, set your own schedule, and take on jobs based on your availability.

So, how do you find freelance proofreading jobs?

This article will explain the skills you need to become a proofreader, and show you where to find the best online proofreading jobs.

How to Become an Online Proofreader

Skills needed for proofreading jobs, best proofreading tool, 38 online proofreading jobs, conclusion: let pwa help you become the best online proofreader.

To start your freelance proofreading career, you need to proactively connect with clients and search for new projects.

There are dozens of websites and platforms you can use to start your job search, many of which post online proofreading jobs every day.

Some platforms let you post a profile without going through an application process; others ask for a resume and an application form.

The most competitive websites might ask you to pass a language editing assignment, or complete a proofreading sample, before they allow you to register.

If you have an area of expertise, you might be able to specialize in freelance proofreading jobs within that niche. For example, if you used to work in biology, you can proofread academic biology articles for a higher fee than the average proofreader.

A few high-paying websites and companies require proofreaders to have a degree in a writing-related field. For most freelance proofreading jobs, however, you can use your experience to prove that you are skilled, without the need for formal training.

If you’re worried about your lack of credentials, you can start with an online proofreading course to learn the basics and strengthen your resume.

As a new proofreader, you can expect to make around $10–$20 an hour. As you gain more experience, you can add jobs to your resume, build your proofreading and editing credibility, and increase your salary to match. The average freelance proofreader earns over $50,000 a year.

To succeed as a freelance proofreader, you need five skills: attention to detail, excellent grammatical knowledge, understanding of editorial styles, time management, and proficiency with online tools.

Skill #1: Attention to Detail

To be a successful freelance proofreader, you need a great eye for detail.

Proofreaders are the last line of defense—they examine the manuscript after the writer, developmental editor, copy editor, and the rest of the team have completed their tasks. Their job is to spot the spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and other issues that everyone else missed.

Proofreaders need to ensure that all headings are consistent, there are no double spaces, and all page numbers are formatted in the same way.

You will need to pay strong attention to detail to make sure nothing slips by you.

Skill #2: Excellent Knowledge of English Grammar

When should you use a hyphen , and when should you use an em dash ?

What’s a dangling modifier , and how do you correct it?

Does the period at the end of a parenthetical remark go before or after the closing parenthesis ?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might need to brush up on your grammar before looking at job listings. All freelance proofreading jobs require excellent knowledge of English grammar.

Skill #3: Understanding of Editorial Styles

Style and grammar are different. Before applying for proofreading jobs, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook . These are the two most common editorial styles.

You don’t need to memorize these manuals, because you can always reference them as you work—you just need to know how and where to find the answers to your style-related questions.

Different clients prefer different styles, depending on the audiences they’re writing for. Each client will have their own guidelines, and ask that you proofread based on that editorial style, so it can help to familiarize yourself with more than one manual.

Skill #4: Time Management

Most freelance proofreading jobs have tight deadlines.

Companies usually set their publishing schedules well in advance. This means that if you don’t finish your freelance proofreading job in time, you might slow down the publication pipeline and damage your reputation with the client.

Time management is important for all freelance work, because you need to set your own schedule. If you take on too many projects at a time, you will not be able to complete them. You have to understand your own capacity, and take on jobs to match.

Skill #5: Proficiency with Online Tools

Most freelance proofreading jobs will require you to use specific software and editing tools.

At the very least, you will need to know how to use editing softwares, such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs . You might also need proficiency in document-sharing softwares, such as DropBox.

For your own records, it can help to be proficient using spreadsheets, such as Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheets are the easiest way to keep track of your projects and income in a consistent and organized way.

The exact IT skills you’ll need will vary depending on the client or project. Don’t worry if you haven’t used all of these tools before—you can often pick them up as you go.

Even proofreaders can miss mistakes, especially when working with long manuscripts. The best way to succeed as a proofreader is to utilize the most effective tools you can.

You can use a grammar checker like ProWritingAid to help you excel at your freelance proofreading jobs. ProWritingAid’s Consistency Report will highlight capitalization inconsistencies, differently formatted ellipses, and more.

Sign up for a free ProWritingAid account.

Using ProWritingAid’s reports will help you improve your attention to detail, grammar skills, and editorial styles. You’ll be able to deliver clean, error-free writing to your clients every time.

There are dozens of platforms that can connect you to online proofreading jobs.

Some sites post a variety of different clients’ online proofreading jobs, and let you pick which ones interest you. Other sites require you to join their team, and then send pre-chosen work your way. You can decide which style you prefer.

If you’re a beginner, you should start with the least selective platforms and work your way up to more advanced jobs.

So where do you find your first legitimate, remote, high-paying freelance proofreading jobs?

Here’s a list of our 38 favorite options.

Upwork lets you create a personal profile and advertise yourself. You can use terms such as “freelance proofreader,” “online proofreading jobs,” and “remote proofreader” to tell clients what kinds of jobs you’re looking for.

One great perk of using Upwork is that you can see the profiles of other proofreaders. This means that you can compare your rates to them and ensure you’re charging a competitive fee.

2. Freelancer

Freelancer is a platform where you can bid on freelance proofreading jobs. Clients post their projects and describe what type of writer or editor they’re looking for.

You will need a premium account to continue bidding after you reach a certain number of projects, but to start with you can try it out for free. It is a great way to start your job search and land your first online proofreading job.

3. Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff is a zero-fee platform for freelancers that allows you to bid on projects. The perk of using Hubstaff over Freelancer is that bidding is always free.

4. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a site that manually vets freelance writing and editing jobs, so you know you’re always looking at legitimate, high-quality opportunities.

There is a small annual membership fee which will give you access to a trove of remote positions. You can search for the keywords “online proofreading jobs” or “online proofreader” to find high-quality, suitable, remote positions.

5. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great place to search for jobs in any industry.

Many clients will start looking for freelance proofreading services on LinkedIn. You want your profile to show up when they search for proofreaders.

Create a clean, professional profile with a headshot and a summary of the types of jobs you’re looking for. Use the keywords “proofreader,” “editor,” and “freelancer.”

There are also plenty of proofreading job ads on LinkedIn, so you can search them instead of waiting for clients to come to you.

Social media can be a great way to connect with other people in your field and find new opportunities.

Twitter has a thriving community of writers and editors who often post about jobs. Try searching for the hashtags #proofread, #proofreader, or #proofreading to meet other proofreaders. Proofreaders can help each other succeed by pooling their knowledge about where to find relevant, well-paying jobs.

7. Wordvice

Wordvice offers online proofreading and editing services. They have clients worldwide, some of whom speak English as a second language and are looking for native English-speaking proofreaders. Wordvice also has many clients at prestigious universities, such as Stanford and Columbia.

To join Wordvice, you need to go through a detailed application process. You’ll need to send them an application form, your resume, an editing sample, and you normally need a graduate degree to be accepted. If you meet their qualifications, however, Wordvice can be a treasure trove of online proofreading jobs.

8. CACTUS Communications

CACTUS Communications hires both freelance and full-time proofreaders. They specialize in proofreading for specific industries, such as medicine, biology, and chemistry. If you have a degree in a scientific field, you might excel in this company.

9. ProofreadingServices.com

Proofreading Services hires both full-time and part-time proofreaders. Their salary is competitive, ranging from $19 to $46 per hour, and you can work flexible hours from home. You can also connect and collaborate with other proofreaders, which is a great perk.

You don’t need a degree or a lot of experience to get started with this site–all you need is to take a 20-minute preliminary test. This site is another great way to start your job search.

10. SearchTempest

SearchTempest is a search engine that helps you find paid freelance jobs on Craigslist, eBay, Amazon, and Oodle.

You need to vet some of these jobs yourself, because anyone can post a listing, but you can find some great proofreading and editing opportunities if you have the time to sift through the list.

11. Polished Paper

At Polished Paper, you can find plenty of remote proofreading and editing jobs. The site tends to hire more experienced proofreaders, which means they pay more than sites that hire beginners.

To apply, you need to upload your resume and take a 35-question test, which you can use outside resources, such as formatting guides and stylebooks, to complete. If you succeed at these initial steps, they’ll ask you to complete an interview before you can start taking on proofreading jobs.

12. Guru.com

Guru.com is a tried-and-true platform that has been around for a long time. This platform will connect you to clients offering all kinds of jobs, from translating to proofreading and more.

Fill out your profile and start searching for proofreading gigs.

13. Gramlee

Gramlee offers editing services for all writers and they’re often looking to hire new proofreaders.

They charge a starting rate of 3 cents a word for a maximum of 3,000 words, so you’ll be making up to $90 per order. Once you become a senior editor, you can access even better-paid orders.

The application process is simple, you only need to submit a form. Once accepted, you’ll have access to a variety of different remote work projects.

Reedsy connects freelance editors and proofreaders with authors and writers. Clients will send you requests, and you can suggest a fee for their proofreading and editing projects.

Reedsy also has a great matching algorithm, so they’ll be able to pair you up with clients who fit your skills and expertise.

15. Scribbr

The application process for Scribbr is more involved than most of the sites on our list, however, you’ll get legitimate, high-paying jobs in exchange.

To apply, you need to take a language quiz, fill out a motivation statement about why you want to proofread with their team, and complete an editing assessment.

Once you’ve been accepted, you need to go through a short training program called Scribbr Academy where you edit several simulation orders. After completing the academy training, you’ll be ready to edit professionally as part of Scribbr’s team.

Scribbr Academy can also help you improve your own proofreading skills, which will be beneficial if you continue your job search with other sites and platforms.

16. Proofreading Pal

Proofreading Pal has a variety of projects, from academic papers to fiction manuscripts. The average pay for an editor at Proofreading Pal ranges from $500 to $3,000 per month.

To apply, you need a Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of experience. You can also work as a college or graduate student if you have a 3.5 GPA or higher, which is a great way to earn a high proofreading salary if you’re still in school.

17. EditFast

EditFast, which connects editors to various clients, is a quick and efficient way to find new projects.

However, it’s important to note that EditFast retains the rights to 40% of the total project price, and that you can’t communicate with clients outside of the EditFast system.

It’s a good site for building experience as a beginner proofreader, but over time, you may want to migrate to a site that takes a smaller cut.

18. Scribe Media

Scribe Media offers a wide variety of book editing services and you can join as a full-time editor or a freelance editor.

They don’t always have openings available, so you can set up email alerts to be notified when they have open positions.

19. Wordfirm Inc.

Wordfirm Inc. hires skilled editors to work as independent contractors. You need to be a highly skilled professional to be chosen, so this isn’t an option for beginners. On their website, they say that editors should have a college degree and at least five years of editing experience.

You have to fill out a lengthy application, which if you pass, will give you access to a wealth of high-paying proofreading jobs.

20. Click Worker

Click Worker is a site that lets writers and publishers outsource small tasks, such as editing, translation, and proofreading. Clients can create completed projects by hiring different people to do each of these micro-tasks.

Different projects offer a different fee per word depending on the level of experience you have.

You have to take a short proofreading test before you can start applying for available jobs.

21. Lionbridge

Lionbridge offers various types of remote jobs. Like Click Worker, Lionbridge outsources different jobs within each client’s project to freelance contractors.

The application process is fairly straightforward; you need to sign up and take a short skills test before you start taking on proofreading jobs.

22. ProBlogger

ProBlogger Jobs is a job board that specifically caters to bloggers. If you’re interested in proofreading for blog posts, this site can be a great way to find freelance work.

23. Get Editing Jobs

If you google “Get Editing Jobs,” you’ll find an online job board with listings for projects that require editors, proofreaders, and more.

You can check this job board regularly for new listings.

24. Sibia Proofreading

Sibia is a site that offers proofreading and editing services for fiction manuscripts, job applications, business memos, doctoral dissertations, and more.

If you’re a native English speaker and a college graduate, you can apply to join Sibia’s team. This will give you access to a wide variety of projects based on your personal preferences and experience.

25. American Journal Experts

American Journal Experts is a site that specializes in remote academic proofreading.

The application is straightforward, so it’s a great place to look for jobs as a beginner.

26. Quality Proofreading UK

Quality Proofreading UK provides professional proofreading services in the fields of business and academia.

They’re always looking to hire freelance proofreaders and editors who have science or business backgrounds. If you have experience in these fields, joining their team can be a great way to land consistent freelance work.

27. Kirkus Media

Kirkus Media helps authors get their books edited and reviewed. You can sign up to be a book reviewer , an editor, or a proofreader. All of these online jobs are fully remote and let you work flexible hours.

28. SmartBrief

SmartBrief specializes in business news and industry information, so if you have a background in a specific industry, this site might be a great way to use that knowledge and experience.

At $15 an hour, their proofreading jobs pay slightly less than most other sites on this list.

29. MediaBistro

MediaBistro compiles various media-related jobs, such as marketing, sales, writing, editing, and more. The site takes some knowledge to navigate, since there are many different job postings, but once you’ve figured it out, it’s a very effective option.

You can start by searching for proofreading jobs to see what they have available. You can also set up notification alerts, so you’ll see new relevant opportunities as soon as they appear.

30. Writer’s Job Shop

Writer’s Job Shop is an online resource for freelance editors, copy editors, and proofreaders. They offer a steady stream of editing and writing jobs.

31. Contenta

Contenta is a job board that tracks companies that hire writers. Almost always, companies that need writers also need proofreaders, so you can reach out to the companies that post ads on Contenta and ask if they need a proofreader.

32. Writer’s Relief

Writer’s Relief is a service that proofreads submissions for creative writers to increase their chances of getting published.

They’re often looking for new proofreaders to join their team, but they’re extremely selective. They accept only a small fraction of their proofreading applicants, however, it’s always worth applying because your skills may match their requirements.

33. Scribendi

Scribendi is a platform specifically designed for proofreaders. All jobs are remote, flexible, and high paying.

To apply, you need to be a native English speaker and a college graduate. They also ask that you be able to proofread at a speed of 1,000 to 1,500 words an hour.

34. WritingJobz

WritingJobz specializes in proofreading for academic papers, online blogs, news sources, and books. You can earn up to $11 a page for proofreading.

35. Managed Editing

Managed Editing requires all proofreaders to have a degree and a few years of experience.

To apply, you’ll need to fill out a form describing the topics you’ve had experience in and they might follow up asking for samples of your proofreading work.

36. Edit911

Edit911 requires more in-depth qualifications than most of the other opportunities on our list. In order to apply, you need a Ph.D. in English or another writing-intensive discipline. You also need to be a master copy editor or book editor.

If you have these qualifications, it’s worth applying to Edit911. As part of this company, you’ll stand out from the crowd.

37. OneSpace Freelancers

OneSpace Freelancers is a job marketplace that posts all kinds of freelance jobs, including proofreading projects.

You can submit an application form and ask them to notify you if they get new proofreading postings. Alternatively, you can check the site periodically to look for jobs on your own.

38. Start Your Own Proofreading Business

Once you’ve gained some proofreading experience, it can be a great idea to start an independent proofreading business. You can create a website detailing the services you offer and the rates you charge. That way, clients can come to you directly, so you don’t have to pay fees to external websites and platforms.

If you’ve stayed in touch with your previous clients, you can let them know that you’re starting your own company and ask if they have any new proofreading needs.

You should consider the business start-up costs, since you may want to pay for a website design, advertisements, and other initial needs. In the long run, however, the extra money you make will cover these costs.

Now you have all the tips and tricks you need to start working as a proofreader.

With the help of ProWritingAid, you can start your proofreading job search! ProWritingAid can help speed up your proofreading process by picking up errors all in one go.

Do you think proofreading might be a good option for you? Let us know in the comments.

Take your writing to the next level:

20 Editing Tips from Professional Writers

Whether you are writing a novel, essay, article, or email, good writing is an essential part of communicating your ideas., this guide contains the 20 most important writing tips and techniques from a wide range of professional writers..

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Hannah Yang is a speculative fiction writer who writes about all things strange and surreal. Her work has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Apex Magazine, The Dark, and elsewhere, and two of her stories have been finalists for the Locus Award. Her favorite hobbies include watercolor painting, playing guitar, and rock climbing. You can follow her work on hannahyang.com, or subscribe to her newsletter for publication updates.

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38 Online Editing Jobs for Freelancers (Including Beginners)

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our affiliate disclaimer in the footer menu for more information. Thank you for your support!

With so many online editing jobs available, how do you know which ones are ideal for you? In this article, I’ll break down the options for editing jobs based on where to find them and who they suit in terms of experience—beginner, experienced, or expert.

The jobs in this article are targeted at developmental editors. However, you’ll qualify for some of these jobs as a line editor.

These are not suitable jobs for proofreaders or copy editors, though.

Table of Contents

Om Proofreading Picks for Online Editing Work

These are my choices for the best jobs for freelance editors.

What Is Editing?

Editing involves making substantial changes to a piece of writing. Developmental and line editors are tasked with making these major changes.

Developmental editing involves improving the overall content and structure of writing.

Line editing enhances a document’s language, logical flow, and readability.

Copy editors are also editors; however, they make changes on a smaller scale.

My Research Process for Developing This Job List

If you’ve ever looked for editing jobs, you know the words proofreading and editing are sometimes used interchangeably, even though they aren’t synonymous.

Therefore, I’ve talked to customer service reps, sent emails, and filled out contact forms to ensure these jobs are for editors, not proofreaders.

I want to give you options that accurately reflect what you’re looking for to save you time.

Top-Notch Tip:  Read every job description carefully to know exactly what the position entails.

How The List Is Organized

I’ve listed the jobs according to where you can find them:

• Freelance Platforms
• Job Boards with Remote Work Listings
• Online Proofreading and Editing Companies

The  online proofreading and editing companies  are further organized according to selectivity—starting with jobs for beginners and ending with ones for experts.

Please visit the sites where you’d like to apply to see the most up-to-date information about job availability.

Notes about Your Role as an Editor

While researching, I noticed that some proofreading and editing services hire editors who are also tasked with proofreading (and everything in between).

I will tell you when I know that the editors hired by a particular business are tasked with the entire editorial process.

I’ll do this by stating that the editors are also responsible for proofreading, meaning they handle line editing and copyediting too.

Online Editing Jobs for Beginners

Let’s start with jobs on freelance marketplaces, which are well-suited to beginners.

FREELANCE PLATFORMS

A simple way to get started as an editor is to set up shop on one or more freelancing platforms.

These online marketplaces serve to connect clients with freelancers.

The disadvantage is that they take a percentage (typically 10%–20%) of your pay for providing these services.

The advantage of these platforms is that they process payments and market your services for you.

You get started by posting a profile (it’s free) to show clients who you are and what you offer.

Then, on all these platforms except Fiverr, you send proposals to clients who have a project you’d like to work on. Getting your first batch of clients is the hardest part of selling your services on freelance marketplaces.

Fiverr is a name you’ve probably heard. But now, sellers offer services that cost well over five dollars. I started my proofreading career on this platform and gained valuable experience. What I love about Fiverr is not having to send proposals, which saves time.

Fiverr takes 20% of your earnings.

Requirements: Not selective

Availability: Many clients are looking for editors. If you’d like help snagging those initial clients, please see my post about succeeding on Fiverr as a seller .

Upwork is another popular freelance platform.

Upwork keeps 10% of your earnings.

Availability: Upwork is full of clients looking for editors.

3) Freelancer

Freelancer is another well-known marketplace for buyers and sellers. Freelancer takes 10% for hourly projects and 10% or $5 (whichever is greater) for fixed-price projects.

Availability: Many clients look for editors on this platform.

Guru is not as well known, but it’s a viable option. Since you can work on more than one platform, feel free to give this one a whirl while trying your luck on one or more others.

Depending on your membership plan, Guru takes 5%–9% of your earnings.

They offer a free basic plan, but other plans require you to fork over some cash. Here’s the link to see what each plan includes.

Availability: Many customers come to Guru looking for developers and programmers, but you’ll still find some editing jobs within Guru’s “Writing & Translation” category.

5) PeoplePerHour

Last, we have PeoplePerHour. They let you send 15 proposals for free each month. If you wish to send more, you can buy “credits.” Unused credits roll over month to month.

PeoplePerHour takes a percentage of what you earn per your lifetime billings with each client. Here are the percentages:

Requirements: Although they don’t mention specific requirements, you need to apply and be approved to work on this site. If you’d like to begin an application, please click here .

Availability: You won’t find as many editing jobs here as on Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer, but it’s still worth a shot.

JOB BOARDS WITH REMOTE WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Checking out job boards is another great way to find editing jobs. Some of these opportunities are beginner friendly, while others require varying degrees of experience.

Except for FlexJobs, many jobs found on these platforms are on-site positions.

However, if you type “remote” into the job location search bar, you can find freelance options.

Below is a list of some of the most well-known job boards in cyberspace.

6) FlexJobs

You can find top-notch opportunities for remote work on this site, but you need to subscribe to access the job list.

Here’s the breakdown of fees based on the subscription period:

FlexJobs has a research team that screens all companies and jobs added to their site to ensure you find legitimate and professional opportunities. The BBB has given them an A+ rating, and they provide a satisfaction guarantee to their subscribers:

“With FlexJobs’ Satisfaction Guarantee, if you are not satisfied with the quality of our service for any reason, simply cancel your subscription and request a refund (by phone, email, or our Client Service virtual chat) within 14 days of account creation or renewal. We will quickly and promptly process your refund.” -FlexJobs

Indeed is a popular board that’s been around since 2004. You can upload your résumé after establishing an account.

8) Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a stellar spot for job hunting and checking out how employees and freelancers rate their employers. The ratings consider factors like compensation, benefits, work/life balance, and senior management.

9) SimplyHired

SimplyHired is another solid site where you can upload your résumé once you have an account.

10) Mediabistro

This website offers various creative jobs, including occasional work for editors. Like several similar sites, you need to create an account before uploading your résumé.

ONLINE EDITING AND PROOFREADING COMPANIES

Here’s a summary of the online editing and proofreading businesses mentioned in this article and the experience level needed to work for each one.

Online Proofreading and Editing Services That Hire Freelance Editors

Many online proofreading and editing services hire freelance editors.

Some businesses hire so many editors that jobs are only available sporadically.

However, other companies provide editors with consistent work since they keep their pool of editors relatively small.

We’ll start with the companies that hire beginners.

11) R3ciprocity

R3ciprocity was designed to provide a space where academics and grad students can give one another feedback on their writing.

You earn credits on R3ciprocity for editing or proofreading other people’s work. You can then use your credits to have someone edit or proofread your work. As the name suggests, the platform operates on the principle of give and take.

Requirements: To become a paid editor, you need to meet R3ciprocity’s quality standards for the test documents.

Availability: To learn about opportunities for paid work, you need to create a profile . The “Contact Us” section of your profile allows you to reach out to the support team.

If you’re new to the editing scene, this could be a wonderful way to hone your skills while helping someone if you’re willing to edit on a volunteer basis.

I’ve corresponded with Dave via email; he’s so nice! Here’s a short video from the site owner, David Maslach, that shows how his site works.

12) Proofed  

Proofed offers proofreading, copyediting, AI content editing, fact-checking, and formatting services to a broad range of clients.

Requirements:  To work for Proofed, you need to pass the Becoming a Proofreader course and the Becoming an Editor class with distinction by scoring 80% or higher on the final exams. Proofed’s partner company ( Knowadays ) offers these courses.

If you pass the exam in both courses with distinction, they’ll invite you to complete a trial period with Proofed. If the trial goes well, you can join their team.

Availability:  They’re seeking editors to join their growing team.

13) Writing Jobz

Writing Jobz hires writers, editors, and proofreaders for a wide range of subjects. I spoke with Madison, one of the Support Wizards (don’t you love that title?).

Madison was so friendly and helpful. Can I recruit her to be a Support Wizard for my personal life, lol?

Requirements: Madison informed me that prior writing or editing experience isn’t necessary to join their team. But to access the jobs on their site, you need to complete the registration form and submit a writing sample. If your writing sample passes the test, you can continue with the application process.

Availability: Unknown. You need to sign up (it’s free) to access this website.

14) EditorLive

EditorLive.com is dedicated to providing highly qualified editors with consistent work.

The editing they offer clients seems to encompass line editing but not developmental editing.

Their editors are in charge of proofreading too.

Requirements: They ask that you have experience writing academic papers on a variety of subjects. You must also be familiar with Chicago, APA, AP, MLA, CSE, and other style guides .

Please see their website for the complete list of qualifications and requirements.

Availability: They’re currently seeking qualified editors. However, they only hire editors who live in the following states: Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Colorado.

15) Proofessor

Based in the UK, Proofessor offers editing, proofreading, rewriting, and paraphrasing services.

Requirements: They hire native English speakers who have graduated from a UK/Ireland university. You also need to have a firm grasp of English and earn an excellent score on their tests.

Availability: Unknown

16) Scribbr

Scribbr offers academic editing, proofreading, and essay coaching services.

The editors they hire are responsible for editing and proofreading.

Requirements: The main requirements are a bachelor’s degree or higher and the ability to edit at least 10,000 words per week.

Availability: They’re hiring editors who are native speakers of one of the following languages:

You need to scroll down the page , past “Job openings,” to see these opportunities. I almost missed them!

If you find these jobs are no longer available, I suggest taking their language quiz .

When they’re not hiring, they typically send you an application and contact you when they’re hiring again if you pass the quiz.

17) Grammar Chic

Grammar Chic provides various services including editing, writing, and formatting. They hire editors, copy editors, and proofreaders.

Requirements:  You can email them at [email protected] to learn about their requirements.

Availability:  Unknown

Prompt aims to help students become better writers by providing actionable feedback on their college essays and applications. Therefore, Prompt hires people who edit essays and give students thoughtful and comprehensive feedback.

If you’re an editor with a flair for coaching, you may want to consider becoming a writing coach at Prompt.

Requirements: They don’t have any requirements listed on their website.

In the past, they’ve required applicants to have a college degree. They’ve also stated that 80% of their coaches had an advanced degree, and 75% had teaching experience.

Availability: They’re not hiring. However, if you’re interested in becoming a writing coach, you can fill out this form to be added to their waitlist.

19) American Journal Experts

American Journal Experts (a division of Research Square Company) offers editing, manuscript preparation services, and academic translation for researchers who want to publish their papers.

Requirements: You must have native English proficiency and have or be pursuing a master’s degree from a leading research university in the US. Please see their site for the complete list of requirements .

Availability: They have openings for academic editors. Here’s the link to see the most up-to-date job listings.

20) CACTUS Communications

CACTUS Communications wants to help society progress by making scientific knowledge accessible to people all around the globe.

Requirements: None listed. However, about a year ago, they wanted you to have a master’s or PhD in one or more specialized subject areas in the following:

• physical sciences
• engineering
• materials science
• life sciences

Experience was preferred but not mandatory.

Availability: You can visit their website to see if they have openings for editors.

21) Dotdash Meredith

Dotdash Meredith is a digital media company that publishes content about diverse topics.

Several positions for editors (including content update editors) were available when I looked at their website.

Top-Notch Tip: When job hunting on this site, search the “Contract” jobs, and set the location to “Work from Home” unless you have a sudden urge to work in New York—the other option for location. 😉

Also, when choosing a job category, select “Editorial/Content.”

Requirements: It depends on the company posting the job.

Availability: This site seems to have at least a few editing positions open regularly.

Freelance Work for Experienced Editors

22) first editing.

First Editing provides various services including editing, proofreading, and formatting.

Their editors are responsible for proofreading.

Requirements: They only hire editors who are native English speakers with formal editing training and experience.

Availability: They’re hiring editors .

23) Editor World

Editor World provides editing, proofreading, writing, rewriting, and paraphrasing services.

They only hire editors who are also responsible for proofreading.

Requirements: Editor World hires native English speakers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Their main requirements are editing and proofreading experience and a bachelor’s degree or higher.

24) Cambridge Proofreading

Cambridge Proofreading offers proofreading and editing services to a wide range of clients. However, most of their clients are students and academics.

Requirements: At a minimum, you need a bachelor’s degree, some editing experience, and an outstanding grasp of the English language. But they strongly prefer editors with more advanced qualifications, such as a master’s or PhD.

Please see their site for the complete list of requirements.

Availability: They’re looking for freelance editors. You can start here if you’d like to apply.

25) Sibia Proofreading

Sibia offers editing and proofreading for all kinds of documents.

Their editors are also in charge of proofreading.

Requirements: You need to have a degree from a top university and PhD-level editing experience.

Availability: Sibia is not hiring editors.

26) Wordvice

Wordvice provides editing and proofreading services to a broad range of clients.

They prefer to hire editors who can also do proofreading.

Requirements: You need to have a master’s degree or be pursuing one. You also must have a minimum of two years of experience and knowledge of several style guides. Please visit their site for the complete list of requirements and details of their hiring process.

Availability: They’re looking for qualified, experienced editors to join their team .

27) English Trackers

English Trackers offers editing and rewriting for a wide variety of documents. Their editing services are akin to what most people know as copyediting; their rewriting service is comparable to developmental editing.

Requirements: You must be a native English speaker with a specialist background or experience in editing or journalism.

Their ideal candidate either holds a PhD or has at least two years of experience as an academic editor. They also prefer editors who have experience working with documents written by non-native English speakers.

Availability: They’re not hiring editors.

28) WordsRU

WordsRu provides editing, proofreading, and copywriting for businesses, authors, and academics.

Requirements: You need to have at least two years of experience as an editor, copy editor, or proofreader. You must also have a master’s, PhD, or equivalent experience in an academic discipline. Please see their site for the complete list of requirements.

Availability: They’re seeking editors .

Reedsy aspires to connect authors and publishers with accomplished freelancers in the publishing industry. They hire editors and proofreaders.

Reedsy keeps 10% of your earnings in exchange for advertising your services in their marketplace.

Requirements: No requirements are listed on their site.

You can take the short quiz (“Are you ready to join Reedsy?”) in this article to determine whether you’re qualified to freelance for Reedsy.

I took the quiz to learn more about the requirements. Then, Reedsy emailed me saying that they “ask that all professionals on our platform have at least three years of experience working with books.”

However, they review profiles individually, so you can complete a profile if you’ve worked with bestselling authors or won a prestigious award in a book-related field.

Availability: You can sign up and create a profile for free. If they accept your application, your profile will be displayed in the Reedsy Marketplace.

30) Scribendi

Scribendi offers editing and proofreading for a wide range of clients.

Their editors are tasked with proofreading.

Requirements: You need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least three years of experience in editing, writing, document production, or language teaching.

Please visit their site for the full list of requirements.

They state the following concerning freelance editors:

“Must not reside in the US jurisdictions of Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington DC, West Virginia, or Wyoming.” – Scribendi

Availability: You can fill out Scribendi’s application . If you meet their current hiring needs, they’ll contact you.

31) Quality Proofreading

Based in the UK, Quality Proofreading offers editing and proofreading services to businesses, academics, and students. They hire editors and proofreaders.

Requirements: You must have at least three years of proofreading experience and an advanced degree from a leading US or UK university.

Availability: They’re interested in hearing from experienced proofreaders and editors, especially those with backgrounds in science/engineering and business/management.

You can email your CV to [email protected] if you meet the requirements. Please click here for information on what to include in the email’s body and subject line.

32) The Expert Editor

Based in Australia, The Expert Editor offers editing and proofreading for books, business documents, and academic work. They also provide manuscript assessments.

Global English Editing (below) is their sister site.

Requirements: You need to be a native English speaker with considerable experience and have a master’s degree or a PhD.

Availability: They often look to hire experienced editors. If you’re an excellent editor, they ask that you introduce yourself via email at [email protected].

33) Global English Editing

Global English Editing provides editing and proofreadi ng for books, business writing, and academic documents. They also offer manuscript evaluations.

Their editors also proofread.

Requirements: All their editors are native English speakers with a master’s or PhD and extensive editing experience.

34) Edit911

Edit911 provides editing, copyediting, and proofreading. They also transform dissertations into books.

Requirements: They’re highly selective. You need to be a teacher and/or book editor with verifiable experience. You must be a published scholar with a PhD in English or another writing-intensive field. Please see their site for all the requirements.

Availability: They’re seeking editors for dissertations, theses, and books. If you meet the qualifications, you can send them your résumé and a writing sample.

Kibin specializes in academic editing but accepts documents from a broad range of clients.

They hire editors who are also responsible for proofreading.

Requirements: Kibin hires experienced editors, and they have high standards. You can learn about their vetting process here.

Availability: They’re not hiring.

Online Jobs for Expert Editors

Enago helps researchers worldwide to successfully publish their manuscripts. They hire editors and copy editors.

Requirements: They generally hire editors with a master’s or PhD and a minimum of five years of experience in academic editing. Their editors need to be able to work with documents written by non-native English speakers, and they should also be experts in a particular subject.

Please see their website for the complete list of requirements.

Availability: They’re looking for editors for several subjects. You can  click here  to read about the application and selection process.

37) Managed Editing

Managed Editing offers developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading to a varied clientele. They also provide publication-related services.

Requirements: You must have a college degree and at least five years of experience to apply, but they typically hire editors with far more advanced qualifications.

Availability: You can complete their detailed independent contractor application so they’ll have your information when they need extra help.

38) ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com provides various services to academics, authors, and businesses.

Although they cater to clients who need copyediting and proofreading, they hire editors to handle developmental edits when needed.

Requirements: At a minimum, you’ll need years of experience in a relevant field (e.g., as an English professor or teacher). Previously, they said they only hire one out of roughly three hundred applicants.

Availability: You can go here to learn more about freelancing for them and take their 20-minute preliminary test.

That winds up this extensive list of online editing jobs. Now, let’s get answers to a few common questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i get online editing work.

Many strategies are available to get online editing work.

I like to compare searching for work to fishing. When “fishing” for jobs, you want several lines in the water to boost your chances of scoring work. But if you cast too many lines, they’ll likely get mixed up and become too difficult to manage.

So try to focus on a few tactics that you think will work best.

Here are some ideas to consider:

1) Establish Your Own Online Editing Business

If you haven’t yet built a website, doing so can help you land jobs. Creating a business requires initiative and shows potential clients you take editing seriously.

On your site, you can talk about your training and display certificates and testimonials.

Having an online company portrays you as a professional and lets you keep everything you earn—no intermediary here!

If you plan to build a website, feel free to look around my site to get a feel for the pages you may want to include. I’m far from a web developer, but checking out my site’s structure may help point you in the right direction. 

2) Create a Profile on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a networking site for professionals.

When creating your profile, be as detailed as possible to increase your chances of landing a job.

You’ll also want to indicate that you’re open to work so that you appear in recruiters’ and hiring managers’ searches.

3) Network with Editors and Writers

We often forget about the power of networking to connect us with a job. Ideal places for networking include LinkedIn, Facebook, Quora, and Reddit.

These sites have groups for editors and writers where you can meet new people and be in the know about opportunities for editing work.

People will notice if you offer value to these groups by providing advice and insights.

They’ll be more likely to hire you since they’ve seen how helpful you are.

And after you’ve helped others, you can pitch your services if it’s permitted.

4) Cold Email Potential Clients

Although this may seem daunting, it can lead to success with enough perseverance and patience. The advantage of cold emailing is that you’re handpicking your clients.

The opportunities are there for the taking.

Just reach out (with exceptional tact) to those you think you can help the most.

To have the best shot at getting a new gig, write a tailored email highlighting how you can help your potential client.

Also, offering a free or low-cost sample edit is a wonderful way to get the communication going!

Can I work from home as an editor?

Yes, you can work from home as an editor. Many editing jobs are done remotely to save companies the overhead they ordinarily pay to accommodate in-house editors. And if you work for independent authors, you’ll be working remotely.

How much do online editors make?

According to ZipRecruiter , the average yearly salary of online editors in the United States is $51,564 (as of February 2024). This is roughly $25 per hour.

If you’re a beginner editor, your earnings will start  on the low end  of this pay range.

ZipRecruiter gives us more information about how much online editors earn by stating the following:

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $104,000 and as low as $20,000, the majority of Online Editor salaries currently range between $35,000 (25th percentile) to $56,500 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $104,000 annually across the United States. – ZipRecruiter

If you’d like to see how pay rates differ for developmental and line editors, you can visit this page on the Editorial Freelancers Association’s website.

I hope this article has helped you discover several freelance editing opportunities that are right up your alley!

I wish you the best as you pursue jobs!

Best wishes to you!

“Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” -Maya Angelou

Lindsay Babcock

Lindsay is the creator of Om Proofreading. She has a BA in psychology and earned a certificate in proofreading by passing the final exam in Proofread Anywhere’s general proofreading course. She shares what she’s learning in the field and through research to inform and inspire her readers.

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