38 Places to find proofreading jobs and editing jobs

Now that you’ve become a proofreader, where can you find the best proofreading jobs and editing jobs? How can you tell which are the best proofreading jobs?

Once you’re sure you’ve got the skills you need to succeed as a proofreader, the next thing you’ll need to do is find a job. For some jobs, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree, but for others, you won’t.

Most jobs looking for an advanced college degree involve editing technical documents.

You may see jobs looking for a native English speaker or an agency that provides proofreading services looking for independent contractors. Those will provide opportunities to work from home.

You may be looking to work remotely, work from home with flexible hours, or find a job as an employee at a fixed hourly rate.

The application process

Every place where you apply for remote work will have different criteria for its applicants. In the application process, you may be asked:

• To take an editing test or a proofreading test to identify grammatical errors and incorrect sentence structure and demonstrate your proofreading skills
• About your previous experience. Be sure to mention any online course, such as The Proofread Anywhere course by Caitlin Pyle. If you don’t have years of experience, training with a reputable company will help to validate your skills. Your experience may be in academic writing, writing blog posts, or creating online content, not editing but it will tell a potential employer that you’ve had experience publishing, and that is important. Beginner proofreaders should try to comprehensively include ANY relevant experience.
• About the degrees that you have, including an undergraduate university degree or postgraduate degree like a master’s degree. This question is aimed to reveal the focus of any special knowledge you have. This is especially helpful if you are looking for jobs in a particular discipline.
• Whether you are familiar with the Chicago Manual of Style, APA style, or MLA style.
• Whether you are proficient in the English language.
• The systems you’ve worked with, like Microsoft Word tracked changes, Google Docs, etc.
• About your availability—i.e., what business days and hours you are available, including availability for remote meetings or team meetings.
• About the equipment that’s available to you, such as a laptop, internet connection, and cell phone.
• To give the rate of pay that you’ll accept.

Where to find the best proofreading jobs

Where to find the best proofreading job for you depends somewhat upon your goals. If you are looking to set your own schedule, a remote job that requires you to be available during certain hours may not be a good fit.

If you are looking for freelance proofreading jobs, then jobs that require you to be in an office may not be a good option. Most of the options below are looking for people to work remotely (i.e., work from home). 

Some proofreading jobs require you to be both a good proofreader and a copy editor. As a copy editor, you will need to revise or create content. If you have good writing skills, these jobs are something to consider.

Still, many successful proofreaders started out in a less-than-perfect job. Proofreaders are in high demand in every field, so the chances are that you’ll be able to find a good place to work as a successful proofreader without much experience. 

There are many reputable places to find the best online proofreading jobs.

Where to find the best online proofreading job

The first nine places on this list are ones that I have personal experience with and provide the most information on.

The others I found through online searches and have given just a quick blurb for you to use to screen the site to suit your needs.

 1. Flexjobs

One company I really like is Flexjobs. The quality of the jobs posted there can be trusted—and there are tens of thousands of them, all organized by category and searchable by keywords.

The best part? All the jobs posted have been thoroughly researched and vetted as legitimate and meeting the standards of Flexjobs by their team. You don’t have to worry that you are reaching out to some sketchy company that wrote a great job description that they wouldn’t stand behind.

You can select where you want to work (including remotely) and whether you are looking for full-time or part-time work. Some are freelancer jobs, and some will hire you as an employee with full benefits.

You can preview the jobs at Flexjobs by typing a keyword like “proofreader” or “freelance proofreader” (without quotation marks) in the search bar. You’ll be able to see a sampling of the jobs available. But to get the full details, pay rate, etc., you’ll have to pay for a subscription.

The cost to join Flexjobs is $9.95 a week or $24.95 a month. They often run specials, but the value for the price is outstanding.

Flexjobs also offers career coaching services. This is one company definitely worth looking to.

Look into becoming a proofreader. It’s a great way to have a job with a flexible schedule where you’ll have the chance to read some great literary works!

 2. Upwork

Upwork bills itself as being the world’s largest freelance talent marketplace. That’s good news because there are tons of jobs listed there, but there is also a lot of competition for every job.

I have personally worked for several clients through Upwork.

A great thing about Upwork is that once you create a profile, you can search for and apply for jobs. Each listing usually gives the average pay range for the position and all the basic requirements of the job.

Some postings are short gigs that can be an excellent place to gain some experience. You can see how many others have applied (the application form is called a proposal in Upwork) and whether the job poster has interviews pending or posted other similar jobs.

Upwork has some policies worth noting. First, they withhold a certain percentage of your pay for their fees.

They do have a great dashboard both for searching for jobs and communicating with your employer. You can create a profile that is visible, so other potential employers can access your profile.

You can choose to be paid through direct deposit, PayPal, Payoneer, wire transfer, and other methods. The employer sets aside the money in advance, so you know you will be paid for the work delivered

I perform ongoing remote proofreading and editing for a company that I interact with through Upwork.

 3. Craigslist

I actually found my longest-running job on Craigslist. Honestly, I think the company was somewhat desperate, but it’s been a good steady work-from-home job for me that I work four days a week.

The trouble with Craigslist jobs is that there is no guarantee that you’ll get paid. Still, if you are a new, inexperienced proofreader, keeping an eye on the “gig” listings might land you a short job where you will be taking the risk needed to get some experience.

 4. Enago

Enago provides high-level editing, proofreading, and substantive proofreading services. They have high standards and high expectations of their freelance editors.

Positions there range from as-needed to positions to more consistent work.

If you have expertise in a particular field and already consider yourself a professional proofreader, look into jobs at Enago.

 5. Freelancer

Freelancer is an online platform for both job-seekers and clients looking for freelancers to fill a job they need to be done. Jobs are posted, and freelancers can submit a proposal for the ones they’re interested in. This is a platform I have used.

When I first started out looking for proofreader jobs, I submitted many proposals here but never had a nibble.

If you speak another language, you can search for jobs by language. That will broaden your reach.

6. Offer your services on sites like Fiverr.

Just go to the Fiverr home page and click on “switch to selling.” Create a profile with the services you offer.

7, 8, and 9 Don’t forget places like Indeed.com, ZipRecruiter.com, and Google Careers, where you can set relevant job alerts to be sent to your email.

You can use these sites to find work-from-home jobs, proofreading jobs, and remote proofreading jobs. Try different keywords to select the ones that return the type of results you are looking for.

I have not used the following sites to find proofreading jobs. The order does not represent anything other than alphabetization. There are so many different sites to look for a job. From beginner to expert, you’re sure to find one. Just keep looking!

10. Cactus

Cactus is an award-winning company with a powerful mission to help authors get published.
The current Cactus job openings are here, but if you don’t find the right opening for you, they encourage you to submit your resume.

 11. Cambridge Proofreading and Editing

All of the Cambridge editors are native English speakers from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. They hold advanced qualifications from leading global universities.

It’s not clear if there are current openings, but there’s a contact form here.

12. Edit911

The qualifications to work at Edit911 are stringent. To be an editor for Edit911, you need the following:

• A PhD in English or another writing-intensive discipline;
• A published scholar with demonstrable talent and skills as a writer;
• A teacher and/or book editor with verifiable experience;
• A master copy editor and expert in various documentation styles, such as MLA, APA, and Turabian;
• Proficient in MS Word and at least one other software application, such as InDesign or Publisher;
• Dedicated to providing our clients with the world’s finest, most professional editing.

13. Editage

Editage is a division of Cactus Communication, and the “careers” link takes you there.

 14. Editor World

At Editor World, clients choose their own editor. Apply here to be an editor at Editor World.

 15. GetEditingJobs

Other people list GetEditingJobs, but I do not recommend it. It was difficult to find because the site is not returned when the words “Get Editing Jobs” is searched, and it looks like a curated site of many jobs that is not well-designed or user-friendly.

 16. Gramlee

Gramlee says, “Our editors go beyond grammar and focus on contextual prose, verb-tense consistency, and the use of power phrases that dangle carrots in front of your readers’ emotions.”

The Gramlee application form is here. All editors are hired as independent contractors and work from home.

17. Guru

Freelancers can be found or find work at Guru. Jobs can be paid a fixed price, hourly, or on a task or recurring basis.

The jobs on Guru aren’t all proofreading jobs, but job keywords can be entered into the job search bar. This might be a good place to find a quick gig for your resume.

 18. Jobs for Editors

The home page of JobsforEditors says that they are looking for editors.

The list of benefits includes:

• Free registration
• Free introductory training
• Payments twice a month
• Wide range of topics for editing
• Adjustable work schedule
• Competitive salary
• Ability to regulate your workload
• Helpful support team
• Paid vacation for managing editors

They require:

• An advanced level of English
• Attentiveness to details
• Analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Computer literacy

These seem like requirements that even a new proofreader could meet and like a good place to look for a proofreader job.

19. Jooble

Jooble.org is a platform of curated job openings. Type your keyword into the search bar and see what pops up.

20. Kibin

Kibin.com provides services to help college students become better writers. As of today, they are searching for a freelance, remote editor.

21. Lionbridge

Lionbridge lists different jobs around the world. A quick job search on Lionbridge came up with a content editor job in the US and a proofreader job in French-speaking Canada.

 22. ManagedEditing

ManagedEditing.com offers editorial and publication production services

ManagedEditing is looking for freelance independent contractor editors. The site says that their “Editors should have a college degree and at least five years of practical experience in editing, but the editors we choose typically have much higher qualifications.”

 23. Media Bistro

Search for copywriter, editorial, and proofreading jobs on MediaBistro.com.

24. Paper True

PaperTrue.com offers editing and proofreading services. They are looking for a freelance, remote editor.

 25. People per Hour

Sign up as a freelancer at Peopleperhour.com to access the jobs published there.

 26. Polished Paper

Polished Paper offers business, academic/student, personal, and author editing services.

Editors who apply to PolishedPaper.com complete an application and a 35-question editor test during which resources such as MLA, CSE, APA, and Chicago formatting guides can be used.

 27. Proofreading.org

See Cambridge Proofreading and Editing above.

28. ProofreadingPal

ProofreadingPal.com uses two professional editors to correct grammatical errors, including punctuation, capitalization, verb tense, spelling, and sentence structure.

They offer professional business, resume, academic, student, essay, and book/manuscript editing services.

ProofreadingPal.com is looking for proofreaders who:

• Are currently employed by or enrolled as a graduate or postgraduate student in an accredited United States college or university and have a minimum GPA of 3.5
• Have a graduate degree with a minimum of five years of professional proofreading and editing experience

So, this would be a good place for a student to get some experience to list on their resume.

29.Proof-reading-service.com

This company offers “high-quality English Editing and Proofreading Services for Academic and Scientific Papers.”

I did not see jobs posted, but there is a contact form here.

30. Quality Proofreading

Based in the UK, the editors at Quality Proofreading have advanced degrees from leading UK/US institutions and three years of experience in professional proofreading as a minimum.

The company offers proofreading and editing services to businesses, students, and academics.

It seems that they receive many applications but are particularly looking for editors with backgrounds in science/engineering and business/management.

 31. Reedsy

Reedsy provides services—from editing to ghostwriting and everything in between—for book authors. They offer freelancers to create a profile here.

32. Scribbr

Scribbr offers a range of editorial services in Spanish, French, and German. The site is in English, so I assume that they offer services in English as well.

You will begin your Scribbr editor application by taking a test.

33. Scribendi

Scribendi.com offers document revision services to all sectors. They have offices in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. They have in-house Editor/Proofreader and remote Freelance Editor/Proofreader positions available.

However, applicants must not live in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, Washington DC, West Virginia, or Wyoming.

34. Type Right

TypeRightEditing.com matches clients needing editorial services with a professional editor. I did not see jobs posted on the website, but there is a contact form.

35. WordsRU

WordsRU offers high-quality editing and proofreading services delivered by native English speakers.
Applicants for editorial positions must have a master’s degree. The full list of requirements and an application to work at WordsRU is here.

 36. WordVice

WordVice offers high-quality proofreading and editing services to academics, researchers, students, and business professionals.

A list of careers at WordVice is here.

37. Writer’s Relief

Writer’s Relief is a full-service submission service for self-publishing authors. I did not see a list of Writer’s Relief jobs, but there is a contact form here.

38. VirtualVocations

VirtualVocations.com is a job search platform. Search for jobs by typing a keyword into the search bar.

Get a proofreading job

Hopefully, one of those dozens of proofreading jobs and editing jobs will be right for you. Don’t limit yourself or hang your hat on just one job.

Apply for many jobs—maybe you’ll get a few interviews and have the chance to pick the best fit.

If not, consider working at your less-than-favorite proofreading job to get valuable experience that you can parlay into your dream work-from-home job.

Before long, you’ll be enjoying the flexibility of being a proofreader.