# Proofreaders and Copy Markers

> Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/proofreaders-and-copy-markers
- SOC code: 43-9081.00
- Career family: Office and administrative support
- Median annual pay: $51,120 (10th percentile $34,510, 90th percentile $79,290)
- Projected growth: Little or no change, -0.9%
- Openings a year: 1,100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CAI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 7 |
| Investigative (I) | 25 |
| Artistic (A) | 43 |
| Social (S) | 20 |
| Enterprising (E) | 9 |
| Conventional (C) | 86 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 84/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 78/100)
- Processing Information (importance 77/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 70/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 69/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 64/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 61/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 57/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 57/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 56/100)

## Skills

Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Time Management, Active Learning, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving

## Knowledge

English Language, Communications and Media, Computers and Electronics, Administrative, Administration and Management, Customer and Personal Service, Design, Mathematics, Philosophy and Theology, Education and Training

## Also called

Braille Proofreader, Checker, Clerical Proofreader, Content Analyst, Content Coordinator, Copy Coordinator, Copy Editor, Copy Holder, Copy Preparer, Copy Reader

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [English Language and Literature, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2301) (CIP 2301, 1,510 colleges)
- [Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/2313) (CIP 2313, 792 colleges)
- [Journalism](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/0904) (CIP 0904, 544 colleges)
- [Business/Corporate Communications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5205) (CIP 5205, 74 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Stanford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stanford-university-2589) | English Language and Literature, General | not reported | $82,036 | not reported |
| [Lehigh University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/lehigh-university-1472) | Journalism | $65,957 | $81,935 | $23,250 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Journalism | $53,658 | $81,927 | $19,875 |
| [University of Richmond](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-richmond-3026) | Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | not reported | $81,253 | not reported |
| [Bentley University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bentley-university-220) | Business/Corporate Communications | $71,584 | $80,781 | $27,000 |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Journalism | $51,919 | $79,776 | $15,500 |
| [Chapman University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/chapman-university-510) | Journalism | $40,408 | $79,135 | $19,500 |
| [Seattle University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/seattle-university-2393) | English Language and Literature, General | not reported | $78,906 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Editors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/editors): $77,920 median pay
- [Desktop Publishers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/desktop-publishers): $55,290 median pay
- [Technical Writers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/technical-writers): $90,390 median pay
- [Word Processors and Typists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/word-processors-and-typists): $49,280 median pay
- [File Clerks](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/file-clerks): $43,600 median pay
- [Writers and Authors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/writers-and-authors): $76,910 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.