academic proofreading jobs uk

Remote editing jobs

Cambridge Proofreading is committed to delivering a high-quality service to each and every one of our clients. We achieve this by delivering thoughtfully edited and meticulously proofread documents, on time. We are always looking for talented and experienced freelance editors who can help us deliver outstanding work to our clients.

Work with the best

Established in Cambridge, England, and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Cambridge Proofreading works with experienced freelance editors from around the globe. We are proud to have edited 201,000+ documents for 77,000+ clients around the world.

Our network of 300+ editing professionals covers the full spectrum of academic subjects. The quality of our contractors is what separates us from other services.

Help writers worldwide

Improve the language and structure of journal manuscripts, academic papers, business communications and more.

Coach clients to become better, more confident writers, and experience the appreciation of happy clients.

Who are our editors?

Our editors come from diverse backgrounds and have a broad range of specialisms, but they’re all talented writers who share a love of editing. They derive great satisfaction from delivering meticulous work and helping writers all over the world achieve their goals.

Most of our editors hold advanced degrees in their fields. They enjoy the freedom that comes with working remotely, choosing their own projects and setting their own schedules.

Perks of working with us

• Edit documents from your own areas of expertise and interest.
• Work from anywhere in the world. Goodbye, commute!
• Retain complete control over your schedule. Work when you want, and only when you want.
• Experience the satisfaction of helping appreciative clients from all over the world.
• Gain access to our resource library and help pages to help develop your skills.
• Focus on editing: we take care of client care and logistics so you can focus on what you love.

Minimum requirements

Most of our clients are students and academics, so we require all of our editors to hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and we strongly prefer master’s and doctoral degrees. In addition, you must have:

• an exceptional understanding of the English language
• some prior editing experience
• stable internet access, and
• the ability to consistently meet deadlines.

What we offer

In return for your expertise and hard work, we offer:

• average pay of USD 20–30 per hour, paid twice monthly,
• access to our resource library,
• full control over which orders you accept, and
• flexibility: your schedule remains your own.

Preferred candidates

We give preference to editors who have:

• advanced degrees, and/or
• expertise in STEM, business, computer science, economics and law, and/or
• experience in academic editing or publishing, or as university faculty.

How does it work?

Set your own schedule.

• You remain in charge of your schedule and retain full control over which jobs you choose to accept.
• You can set your availability via the calendar in your user area and block out periods during which you’d prefer not to receive any job proposals.

Receive proposals and complete jobs

• We will email you job proposals containing information about the order, including its topic, word count, and deadline. At the click of a button, you can choose to accept or reject any proposal. You decide which jobs to accept—no explanations needed.
• Through our ‘open markets’, you can also choose from a list of available orders.
• All orders are returned through our portal before being rated by clients. Happy clients translate into more proposals, a growing client base, and a steady flow of work.

Twice-monthly pay

• We settle invoices twice monthly via PayPal (for non-US editors) or direct deposit (for US editors), covering any fees.

Hone your skills

• Use our resource library to polish your editing skills and improve your efficiency.
• Benefit from personalised feedback and guidance from our quality control team.

Slip to main content

Lex Academic®

Careers at lex academic.

Get in touch to learn about remote editing jobs at our academic author services company based in London’s Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

At Lex Academic, we are committed to helping the world’s most promising academics publish in the best possible research outlets. Our shared understanding of the academic publishing space gives our team a uniquely compassionate insight into the process of refining work for peer review and making a strong impression with leading journals, publishing houses, and funding bodies.

We’re an author services firm with a humane mission. Spearheaded by Oxbridge-educated research academics, we boast 20 years’ editorial experience and over 100 research publications between us. We don’t believe that language should be a barrier to publication. That is why a proportion of our profits go towards our two Lex Academic Scholarships, funds that support students with dyslexia.

Beloved by those who have been let down by faceless proofreading firms and paltry software packages, our clients return to us again and again because we offer a service that they can trust. We have looked after the manuscripts of thousands of academics and PhD students, enabling native and non-native English speakers alike to place their work with leading journals and prestigious publishing houses. Our boutique author service ensures your work is submission-ready with a tailored menu of proofreading and editing services that promote publication success. All documents are edited by subject experts and finished by one of our founders.

Our in-house team are utterly integral to this and constitute the most important ingredient in our ability to consistently deliver exceptional academic proofreading, copy-editing, indexing, and translation at the highest level. We relish going above and beyond for our clients and we love to celebrate their success. We are a hard-working, collaborative team who relish the responsibility bestowed upon us by our esteemed clientele and we share an enormous sense of pride to see our clients succeeding in the most challenging aspects of academic life: winning funding and publishing their research.

In pursuit of our professional goals, we are always looking for the next like-minded person to join our team. Alongside our growing pool of academic freelance proofreaders, indexers, translators, and developmental editors, we are consistently seeking to expand and nurture our in-house talent. We are currently staffed by researchers who have retrained as professional proofreaders and editors. We believe that technical editorial experience combined with world-leading subject-matter expertise is the magic behind truly extraordinary proofreading, indexing, and translation.

Do you share our passion for immaculate prose?

Are you highly educated, intuitive, and conscientious? We are always on the hunt for extraordinary proofreaders, indexers, and academic translators who share our scrupulous editorial standards. If you are looking for academic proofreading jobs with competitive rates of pay, then please get in touch. Email [email protected] with your CV to see if we’re a good fit.

We are a veritable talent agency for the world’s most outstanding academic editors, indexers, and translators. Every applicant is rigorously tested by our founding team to ensure Lex Academic remains the preserve of perfectionists.

Would you like to make a difference to the creation of important research in the humanities and social sciences? We help academics in a way that would appeal to someone highly educated and meticulous. If you share these values, then you will find working for us pleasurable, rewarding, and a good opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to help researchers publish their work in the most ambitious and prestigious outlets.

Working with us would enable you to really perform at the limit of your conscientiousness. You would be part of a small team of highly accomplished editors, working in unison to perfect the work of academics worldwide.

Current Permanent Vacancies

Editorial project manager (£25–30k ste, plus pension), start date: 5 march 2024 (earlier preferred).

Lex Academic and Lex Academic.science purvey white-glove academic author services and seek to appoint a full-time Editorial Project Manager for academic articles, indexes, theses, and manuscripts across STEM subjects, humanities, and social sciences.

This role reports directly to the CEO and COO of the company and works closely with our Quality Controller. The role is fully remote.

About the job

Role Description

This is a full-time remote role for an Editorial Project Manager. The Editorial Project Manager will be responsible for managing our freelance editors, indexers, and translators. They will oversee and direct editorial projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and to the highest standard. The Editorial Project Manager will liaise with quality assurance, proofreaders, and editors, as well as manage the freelance editorial team. They will also be responsible for implementing and improving editorial processes.

Skills and qualities required

• Editorial Project Management skills
• The ability to check and correct freelancer work (high-level proofreading, copy-editing, and substantive editing skills are essential)
• Strong written communication skills
• Outstanding attention to detail
• Impeccable time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple editorial projects simultaneously
• Higher degree in English or a related field
• Five or more years’ experience in the fields of academic publishing, editorial management, or project management is highly desirable

Applicants should at least have a very good BA/BSc degree in either a humanities, social sciences, or STEM subject, an impeccable command of the English language, a proactive attitude, multitasker mindset, and the ability to check and proofread academic work across STEM subjects, the humanities, and social sciences. At least five years’ professional project management experience will be required for shortlisting.

This fully remote role requires flexibility, exceptional time-management, and a passion for delivering high-quality editorial services. Our motto is that we never let an academic client down.

Salary: £25,000–30,000 (plus pension). There will be opportunities for promotion as the company grows. Weekday and some weekend cover required. Interviews will be held remotely.

To apply, please email  HR  with your CV and a detailed cover letter.

Current Freelancer Vacancies

Owing to recent growth and the pre-launch of our sister brand ( https://www.lexacademic.science/ ), we are looking for specialist STEM proofreaders, copy editors, indexers, and translators in the following core areas:

• Biochemistry and pharmacology
• Cell and molecular biology
• Biology and physiology
• Earth, climate, and environmental sciences
• Medical science
• Architectural science
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive science
• Computer science
• AI/Artificial Intelligence
• Machine learning
• Mechatronics
• Architectural technology
• Graphic design
• Design and manufacture
• Cybersecurity
• Data science
• Applied computing

Engineering

• Civil engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Maritime studies
• Mechanical engineering
• Software engineering
• Manufacturing engineering
• Building services
• Product design and innovation
• Engineering management

Mathematics

• Pure mathematics
• Macroeconomic modelling
• Applied mathematics
• Probability theory
• Algorithms and applications
• History and philosophy of mathematics

Lex Academic are always looking for specialist Philosophy, Classics, Anthropology, and Art History indexers, translators, proofreaders, copy editors, and developmental editors:

• Linguistics
• Conceptual engineering
• Wittgenstein
• Philosophy of psychology
• Philosophy of art
• Philosophy and film
• Roman history
• Greek Epic poetry
• Plato and Aristotle
• Presocratic philosophy
• Ancient Roman philosophy (esp. Lucretius, Cicero, & Seneca)
• Latin poetry (esp. Ovid, Virgil, Horace, & Catullus)

Anthropology

• Narrative ethnography
• Cultural anthropology
• Linguistic anthropology
• Archaeology
• Biological anthropology

Art & History of Art

• Architectural art history
• Climate and design studies
• Contemporary art criticism
• Contemporary design studies
• Greek and Roman art history

To apply to join our expanding team of freelance editors, please email [email protected]  with an introductory email or brief CV. Lex Academic are an equal opportunities employer.

“Lex Academic’s copyediting and indexing is brilliant. They took so much time with my manuscript—bonding with the subject matter and creating both flow and meaning. I have been so lucky to find them. I would choose Lex Academic for all my projects. They are champions!” Dr. Barbara Hales (German Studies, University of Houston - Clear Lake)

How do I earn an income as a proofreader?

What is the job of a proofreader.

A proofreader checks the spelling and other mistakes on the final writing for web pages, articles, books, documents, translations and academic work while the role of an editor and copy-editor are to make more significant alterations as needed.

Do you have an interest in working for us as a freelance proofreader?

• Do Apply now!

Who makes use of a proofreader?

The normal users of proofreading facilities in are publishing companies, magazines and newspapers.

What is the path to become a proofreader?

Any person can acquire a job as a proofreader, and this comes more easily if a guide is put into use to get you going, one such guide is “Freelance Proofreading and Copy-editing – A Guide” by Trevor Horwood, skill-builder “Proof Reading, Revising and Editing Success: Success in 20 Minutes a Day” by LearningExpress or internet material like www.dailywritingtips.com, www.freelancewritinggigs.com along with others.

What expertise does a proofreader require?

A proofreading job usually needs paying specific attention to small details, being accurate, an excellent level of English and Information technology skills.

No special educational qualification is required but some simple training is preferred, for example, to familiarise the way a specic proofreading job is conducted. (see www.journalismcareers.com/articles/proofreadingsymbols.shtml).

The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) (www.sfep.org.uk) and the Publishing Training Centre (www.train4publishing.co.uk) have on offer quick training for proofreaders. But if you are seeking a proofreading role or a specific assignment in a precise area suitable experience and preferably an academic degree (up to Masters or PhD) in it might be required from the candidate.

How much proofreading work is there actually out there?

The competition to get an assignment is hard and the nearer your knowledge relates to the role or assignment on offer the more the chance you will get a look in. When you have made the decision to  go further with your idea you could try to get a job as a self-employed proofreader.

Will becoming a self employed proofreader be a suitable option for me?

Taking on self employment can have certain  benefits – such as being adaptable with your daily routines, but the opposite of this brings about fulfilling certain government requirements such as the necessity to file your own tax return documentation annually.

Additionally, becoming self-employed denies you specific employment fringe benefits including pay when you are sick, pension benefits and private medical cover.

Viewpoints differ, with a few people pointing out that only a small number of people can withstand work as a freelance proofreader and to be realistic you should view this type of job as an addition to your primary employment. But, it is not a surprise to find journalists looking out for freelance proofreading jobs`.

Individuals also state that with the correct angle this can be a nice and satisfying way to work from your home offering you all the benefits and adaptability of freelancing. Working from one’s home as a proofreader can provide a suitable way for some disabled individuals.

Pay SfEP 2008 guidelines indicate that the pay rates start at £19.25 for an hour for proofreading while the mean rate can change from £10 to 16 pounds for each hour with copy-editing pay rates being much higher. If you get an opening for an in-house job you could receive .an annual income in excess of 35000 pounds.

Locating work / assignments as a proofreader

To search out proofreading assignments or projects you can advertise your services or go about finding a business which is on the look out for freelance proofreaders for a period of time.

A few professional proofreaders and editors also endeovour to set up and market their own web pages online. Advertising and promotion activities need financing  (therefore if you advertise in Google you have tthe responsibility to pay for each click on your advert), conversly putting the information about your business on the advertisement sites might be free ( e.g Gumtree in Britain www.gumtree.com ).

And, site www.freelancersintheuk.co.uk might be worth thinking about in addition, www.copyediting.co.uk have a the list of freelance editors and proofreaders in British Standard English.

There are many sponsored links in Google which give reference to the sites of professional proofreaders. Directly making contact with publishing houses / related websites managers / other likely clients through email with the offer of your services might  be of help. With this plan you must consider your specific good points and what allows your services to be markedly different from alternative proofreaders (it might be price, your qualifications, experience, relevant work record as well as references). Many proofreaders put reviews from their customers on their online web pages. Some might find it useful to work with particular businesses such as www.editfast.com (which puts the specifications of its proofreaders on its web pages), www.book-editing.com, www.wordfirm.com, http://www.proofreadnow.com who encourage applications from skilled proofreaders. These businesses need prooof of experience as a proofreader and editor.

As well as registering with specific companies that might offer assignments that require proofreading it might be of use to search other plsaces which offer freelance proofreading job openings, like www.online-writing-jobs.com, www.freelancewriting.com, www.writingbids.com, www.worldwideworkathome.com, www.elance.com For more permanent salaried opportunities you could look at www.guardian.co.uk and www.telegraph.co.uk, www.totaljobs.com. www.thebookseller.com who also advertise jobs for proofreaders now and again. For proofreading roles that include translations you can look up www.worldwideworkathome.com and www.proz.com

Academic Writer Jobs are on the look out for proofreaders as well. To apply today, just fill out our  application form  or discover more:

• Who exactly are you? About Academic Writers Jobs
• Why would I  join you  as a  graduate writer ?
• Do you assist students to cheat ?
• What are normally the most  frequently asked writer questions?
• What are your current writer pay rates?

• Log in
• Site search

Publishing copy-editor/proofreader

A thorough knowledge of spelling and grammar is essential in the world of publishing as is the ability to work to tight deadlines

As a copy-editor or proofreader you'll ensure that material is clear, consistent, complete and credible, and that text is well written, grammatically correct and accessible. You'll take the initial material, or the copy, and prepare it for the next or final stage before publication.

You'll work on a range of publications, including:

• other electronic resources.

You'll be required to check content, use consistent styles and reword or rewrite (copy-editing), and correct spelling, grammar and layout (proofreading). This depends on the project, the employer or the client and your own specialist experience. Many copy-editors/proofreaders perform both functions in tandem.

You may be employed by publishers, businesses and public bodies but mostly on a freelance basis, so it's common to have several clients at the same time. Many people retrain for editorial work as a second or third career.

Responsibilities

Activities depend on experience and whether you work in-house or freelance. In general as a copy-editor/proofreader, you'll need to:

• correct spelling mistakes and grammatical errors
• sub-edit text written by a number of authors to ensure consistent house style
• work with IT-based publishing systems and databases, as well as via the internet or from paper manuscripts
• liaise regularly with authors and publishers by phone and email
• check that authors have provided all the required materials and paperwork
• resolve queries directly with the author, such as style and text inconsistencies
• code manuscripts for design features, such as hierarchy of headings, to instruct the production team
• ensure that illustrations are correctly captioned and referred to in the text
• produce or work to a style checklist to ensure consistency in hyphenation, capitalisation, formatting of references, etc
• maintain awareness of new words or phrases coming into popular usage with a view to ensuring they're appropriate for the readership
• discuss and resolve any potentially libellous sections or problematic language with the commissioning editor and author
• prepare preliminary pages for the title, contents and preface of a publication
• ensure that publications are prepared on budget and to schedule
• manage marketing and business activities (for those who are self-employed).

Some freelance editors may also carry out typesetting work, or design layouts although this isn’t as common as the above tasks.

Salaries vary widely according to the nature of the work and the employer or client. Larger corporate publishers generally pay higher rates than traditional publishers.

• The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading publishes suggested minimum hourly rates every year. The rates for 2023 were £28.65 an hour for proofreading, £33.30 for copy-editing.
• Substantial editing or rewriting pays around £38.30 an hour.
• Rates for the project management of the entire process of editing from first manuscripts through to production are usually much higher than for copy-editing, at over £40 per hour.

Some clients pay freelancers a flat rate per piece of work.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Working hours vary. Copy-editors based in-house generally work normal office hours but may need to work longer hours in busy periods. Deadlines are very tight due to the nature of the work.

Freelancers enjoy greater flexibility, as long as deadlines are met, although night-time work may be required if dealing with overseas clients.

What to expect

• Publishers are based in towns and cities throughout the UK, although there are higher numbers in London, the South East and Edinburgh. Geographical proximity to publishers is not always relevant. Freelancers, for example, can receive work from all over the UK and overseas.
• Getting freelance work can be challenging, particularly at the start of your career. Freelancers who progress from working in-house for publishers to independent work may find the transition easier, having built up useful contacts and gained support from more experienced colleagues. As a freelancer, you may also need to familiarise yourself with self-employment and running your own business.
• Working from home on a freelance basis in a job where most contact with others is by phone or email can leave you feeling isolated. On the flip side, benefits of working from home include a high level of control over your environment and greater flexibility in working hours. Some freelancers work in cooperatives or for agencies to increase their personal support network.
• Some freelancers report that finding work has become more challenging in recent years, as clients may use generative AI instead of paying for a professional service.
• Absence from home overnight and overseas work or travel is rare.

Qualifications

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in the following subjects may increase your chances:

• media or electronic media
• publishing or publishing studies.

However, copy-editors and proofreaders often draw on their own knowledge from academic study. Graduates with a technical or science-based degree may find it easier to obtain freelance work for specialist publishers and society journals, particularly in the early stages of their career.

Entry with an HND or foundation degree only is unlikely, unless you can demonstrate an aptitude for the work or some highly relevant experience.

A relevant postgraduate qualification in publishing can increase your chances. There is a range of publishing qualifications available and it's important to choose one that is relevant to your interests and career plans. To see what's on offer, search for postgraduate courses in publishing .

Competition in the publishing industry is fierce, and graduates hoping to enter this career may find it difficult to gain an in-house role immediately. It may, however, be possible to start as an editorial assistant and to get involved in proofreading and working on editing texts, in order to progress to copy-editing after one or two years.

Identify smaller and perhaps less well-known publishers to begin with who may be more likely, or able, to offer work. This can help develop a network of contacts and will enable you to build up a strong portfolio when making applications to larger companies later on.

Generally, the way to get freelance work is by sending a CV and speculative application directly to potential employers. Take a look in appropriate directories, for example the CIEP directory , to make and maintain contacts. Attend trade fairs, read trade publications and get to know the key players in the field. Also, try to focus on a particular specialist area, as this will help you identify companies and publishers to target.

It's also advisable to get involved with relevant professional organisations such as:

• Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)
• Publishers Association (PA)
• The Society of Young Publishers (SYP)
• Women in Publishing

You'll need to show evidence of the following:

• a thorough knowledge of the English language (or the language the publication is written in)
• a methodical working style
• concentration, accuracy and great attention to detail
• the ability to multitask
• tact and diplomacy for negotiating changes with authors
• the ability to work to tight deadlines
• self-motivation

If you are working on a self-employed basis, you will be running your own business, so business skills in areas such as tax, marketing and cash flow are vital.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience is advisable, preferably within a publishing environment. Gaining experience directly in an editorial role may be difficult.

Try to find work on university magazines, websites or publications or spend some time working in a bookshop or library. Think of creative ways to gain the relevant experience of editing and proofreading as early as possible.

The vast majority of copy-editors and proofreaders are self-employed and work on a freelance basis. There is a limited number of in-house positions, particularly with very large publishers, and competition can be fierce.

Employers within the book publishing sector include companies that produce general or consumer books. These include best-selling fiction and non-fiction. However, it's more difficult to obtain editing work in fiction. Other areas are more likely to provide work, such as:

• children's books
• educational publications
• reference works
• scientific, medical and technical publications
• academic publications.

The market in corporate publishing is developing. Large, commercial organisations produce their own staff magazines, newsletters and publicity materials and may employ freelancers for all, or part, of the production process.

Look for job vacancies at:

• BookCareers
• The Bookseller: Jobs in Books
• Publishing Scotland
• The Society of Young Publishers (SYP) - vacancies are available for members to view.

You can also look to the national press, such as Guardian Jobs, for opportunities.

Specialist recruitment agencies tend to advertise senior-level vacancies. For example, see:

• Career Moves
• Inspired Selection
• Redwood Publishing Recruitment
• Think Selection

Professional development

If based in-house you're likely to undergo some basic training while working, which usually includes shadowing and receiving support from more experienced colleagues.

A variety of training courses are provided by professional organisations, such as:

• Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP)
• Imago Training
• The Publishing Training Centre (PTC)

Technical skills are a key part of this career and need to be updated on an ongoing basis, particularly in response to developments in technology. These organisations provide a range of technical courses, available on a seminar or distance-learning basis, covering areas such as:

• copy-editing and on-screen editing skills
• editing an in-house production.

CIEP also provides courses on developing a successful career as a freelancer and offers several levels of membership: entry-level, intermediate, professional and advanced professional.

There are a variety of courses so it is important to be selective and strategic in your choice.

Career prospects

You'll generally begin by editing text at a fairly basic level before progressing to more complex editing and restructuring, which is more highly paid.

With experience, freelance copy-editors and proofreaders begin to focus on a preferred area of work and on a particular subject area, such as science, medicine or food writing.

It's also possible to move into a project management role if you're working freelance or a managing/desk editor role if you're based in-house. These roles involve managing a publication over a longer period of time and subcontracting or allocating work to copy-editors and indexers. Within the largest publishing houses this can be a natural progression, though it is not always the chosen route. Other experienced copy-editors have progressed into offering a complete package of editing, typesetting and on-screen layout.

If working in-house as a copy-editor you'll move between jobs frequently during the early years of your career to develop the widest range of experience and contacts. This is especially important for those considering freelance work in the future.

Whichever route you take, it's advisable to join either CIEP or SYP. Membership offers support and opportunities for professional networking in what can often be an isolated role, such as CIEP's local groups which meet up regularly.

Making and maintaining contacts in the industry is vital for developing a successful career as a copy-editor or proofreader. While well-targeted speculative applications may lead to work, being known to editors and commissioning editors within publishing companies is an equally common way of securing work and moving up the career ladder.

How would you rate this page?

On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like

• Dislike 1 unhappy-very
• Like 5 happy-very

Thank you for rating the page

• Medical Editing Jobs
• Scientific Editing Jobs
• Technical Editing Jobs
• Academic Editing Jobs
• Remote Editing Jobs
• Freelance Editing Jobs
• Online Editing Jobs
• Copy Editing Jobs

Proofreading Jobs from Home

• Academic Proofreading Jobs
• Online Proofreading Jobs
• Remote Proofreading Jobs
• Technical Proofreading Jobs
• Scientific Proofreading Jobs
• Medical Proofreading Jobs
• Editing Jobs from Home
• Free Proofreading Course
• Revisión en inglés
• Relecture en anglais
• Revisão em inglês

Manuscript Editing

• Research Paper Editing
• Lektorat Doktorarbeit
• Dissertation Proofreading
• Englisches Lektorat
• Journal Manuscript Editing
• Scientific Manuscript Editing Services
• Book Manuscript Editing
• PhD Thesis Proofreading Services
• Wissenschaftslektorat
• Korektura anglického textu
• Akademisches Lektorat

Journal Article Editing

• Manuscript Editing Services

PhD Thesis Editing

• Medical Editing Sciences
• Proofreading Rates UK
• Medical Proofreading
• PhD Proofreading
• Academic Proofreading
• PhD Proofreaders
• Best Dissertation Proofreaders
• Masters Dissertation Proofreading
• Proofreading PhD Thesis Price
• PhD Dissertation Editing
• Lektorat Englisch Preise
• Lektorieren Englisch
• Wissenschaftliches Lektorat
• Thesis Proofreading Services
• PhD Thesis Proofreading
• Proofreading Thesis Cost
• Proofreading Thesis
• Thesis Editing Services
• Professional Thesis Editing
• PhD Thesis Editing Services
• Thesis Editing Cost
• Dissertation Proofreading Services
• Proofreading Dissertation
• PhD Dissertation Proofreading
• Dissertation Proofreading Cost
• Dissertation Proofreader
• Correção de Artigos Científicos
• Correção de Trabalhos Academicos
• Serviços de Correção de Inglês
• Correção de Dissertação
• Correção de Textos Precos
• 定額 ネイティブチェック
• Revision en Ingles
• Revision de Textos en Ingles
• Revision de Tesis
• Revision Medica en Ingles
• Revision de Tesis Precio
• Revisão de Artigos Científicos
• Revisão de Trabalhos Academicos
• Serviços de Revisão de Inglês
• Revisão de Dissertação
• Revisão de Textos Precos
• Corrección de Textos en Ingles
• Corrección de Tesis
• Corrección de Tesis Precio
• Corrección Medica en Ingles
• Corrector ingles
• Choosing the right Journal
• Journal Editor’s Feedback
• Dealing with Rejection
• Quantitative Research Examples
• Number of scientific papers published per year
• Acknowledgements Example
• ISO, ANSI, CFR & Other
• Types of Peer Review
• Withdrawing a Paper
• What is a good h-index
• Appendix paper
• Cover Letter Templates
• Writing an Article
• How To Write the Findings
• Abbreviations: ‘Ibid.’ & ‘Id.’
• Sample letter to editor for publication
• Tables and figures in research paper
• Journal Metrics
• Revision Process of Journal Publishing
• JOURNAL GUIDELINES

Select Page

THE EASIEST WAY TO BE HIRED

Weekly Remuneration

Every proofreader receives prompt weekly payments for the work completed in that period.

Working from Home

Our proofreaders enjoy working from home, because it fits perfectly around family life.

FREE Proofreading Course

Every candidate will be offered a FREE proofreading course for academic papers while receiving full pay.

Stay Connected

Our proofreaders can stay connected to their academic field and read the newest research.

Environmental Impact

An internet connection, a laptop and working from home leave our proofreaders with a low carbon footprint.

Interested? Talk to a Recruiter

If you are interested in part-time or full-time proofreading jobs from home, please send us your CV or résumé, stating how many hours you could allocate to the proofreading job per week.

21 Websites Offering Legit Freelance Proofreading Jobs

This content may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. However, I only recommend products or services that I genuinely like and trust.

Want to become a successful proofreader but struggling to find freelance proofreading jobs? 

Finding clients is one of the most stressful parts of being a freelancer, but it doesn’t have to be. There are lots of online proofreading jobs available; you just have to know where to look. 

I’ve compiled a list of proofreading websites that hire proofreaders and editors to work for them. They find the clients; all you have to worry about is doing the work! 

Of course, working for an agency has pros and cons. You don’t have to do as much marketing, but as a result, you may earn a little less once the company has taken its cut. 

Stick around for the FAQ section at the end of this post, where I share some information about starting your own business. 

Table of Contents

Websites That Provide Freelance Proofreading Jobs

1.  scribendi.

Scribendi  is a Canada-based company that hires editors and proofreaders to edit content for its ESL, academic, professional, and student clients. It has both in-house and freelance positions. 

Suitable for beginners?

No. Scribendi requires that you have at least three years of experience in editing, writing, document production, or language teaching.

Do you need a degree?

Yes, you need to have a university degree in a relevant field. 

Special requirements:

You need to have native level English ability. However, the website states that the company hires proofreaders and editors outside the US and Canada. 

Your computer must have Microsoft Word 2010 or higher. 

2.  Proofed Inc.

Proofed offers proofreading, editing, and formatting services to businesses, students, and academics, and promises to return documents within 24 hours. 

Yes. If you don’t have experience yet, you can take its Knowadays Becoming a Proofreader and Becoming an Editor Courses (formerly Proofreading Academy) first. If you graduate with a score of 80% or higher from both courses, you are guaranteed the chance to work with Proofed.

Sign up for a free trial of the Knowadays Becoming a Proofreader course here!

I wrote a review of the Knowdays (formerly Proofreading Academy) Becoming a Proofreader course here.

Yes. Proofed is looking for meticulous, passionate proofreaders with a PhD, master’s, or undergraduate degree from a top university. However, if you complete its course, it will waive this requirement. 

You must upload a copy of your résumé and cover letter to apply for a role with Proofed. 

3.  ProofreadNOW

ProofreadNOW’s proofreaders and editors have been proofreading business documents since 1999. Its clients include law firms, marketing agencies, universities, healthcare providers, and more. 

ProofreadNOW is not hiring at present, but you can  sign up for its email list to be notified  when it is hiring. 

No. ProofreadNOW requires that you have five years of experience as a proofreader. 

The website doesn’t specify.  

You must pass a series of tedious and difficult tests before being hired.  

4.  Polished Paper

Polished Paper is a proofreading and editing service for students, businesses, and ESL writers. 

Register here to be considered for a position with Polished Paper. 

Possibly. The website doesn’t specify how many years of experience you need. 

You must pass a 35-question editor test before being hired. 

5.  Reedsy

Reedsy connects authors with proofreaders, editors, designers, and marketers who can help them bring their book to life and publish it. 

With Reedsy, you can set your own rates, and it charges a 10% commission. To apply, you must  sign up for a free Reedsy profile , and once you are accepted, you will be added to the marketplace. 

From what I’ve heard it can be quite difficult to get into Reedsy. I believe you need to have some experience already, but the website doesn’t specify. 

The website doesn’t specify. I think experience is more important to them.  

Not aware of any. 

6.  Domainite

Domainite  offers a range of services like marketing, website design, and direct mailing to its business customers. 

Possibly. The website doesn’t specify how much experience you need to have.

You must complete an  editing sample  before being hired. You must also confirm that you are familiar with using track changes in Microsoft Word. 

7.  Gramlee

Gramlee offers copyediting, grammar check, and proofreading services for students and academics.

You need to  fill out Gramlee’s employment form  to be considered for a proofreading or editing position.  

Possibly. The website doesn’t specify how many years of experience the company requires, but the form does ask how much experience you have.

The website doesn’t specify, but the form does ask if you have a degree.   

8.  Wordvice

Wordvice has been editing academic material and admissions essays for ESL clients since 2013. It has service agreements with many universities, academic societies, medical centers, research institutions, and laboratories.

Apply here to become a freelance editor with Wordvice. 

No. You need to have two years’ professional editing experience. It prefers that you have an educational background or have experience in medicine, engineering, or other biomedical and natural science domain.

Yes. You need to have completed or be enrolled in a graduate degree program.  

You must have native fluency in English. You must also have experience with various formatting styles such as APA, AMA, MLA, and Chicago.

9.  CACTUS

CACTUS  specializes in editing scientific and medical documents for academics. It is known for being a good place to work, consistently ranking among the top 20 on the global list of the Top 100 Companies for Telecommute Jobs (Forbes.com) since 2016.

The website states that “prior editing experience would be great.”

Yes. You need to have a PhD/master’s/bachelor’s degree or expertise in one or more specialized subject areas in physical sciences, engineering, materials sciences, healthcare, life sciences, medicine, and surgery. 

In addition to freelance positions where you can work from anywhere in the world, CACTUS also offers some full-time remote positions for people based in India. You may be asked to take an editing test to secure one of these positions. 

10.  Sibia Proofreading

Sibia Proofreading  was founded by Dona, a Harvard graduate. It offers proofreading and editing services for academics including journal articles, dissertations, theses, essays, etc.

The website doesn’t state how many years of experience you need to have; however, it does mention that its editors have experience editing PhDs. 

Yes. Sibia Proofreading carefully selects talented and experienced editing professionals who have graduated from top-tier universities such as Harvard University.

You need to be a native English speaker. 

11.  ProofreadingServices.com

ProofreadingServices.com  has helped thousands of academics, jobseekers, businesspeople, and authors refine their writing. It has part-time and full-time remote positions available.

It offers competitive pay ranging from US$19 to US$46 per hour depending on turnaround time, with the highest pay for the most urgent deadlines.

The website doesn’t specify. 

You need to complete an online application that includes multiple choice questions and a three to four-sentence writing sample.  

12.  ProofreadingPal

ProofreadingPal  uses a two-proofreader model whereby all documents must be proofed by two proofreaders to ensure it provides the highest-quality proofreading service. 

No. You need to have a minimum of five years of professional proofreading and editing experience or be working toward a degree.

Yes. If you do not already have a degree, you need to be 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.

You must have experience with several popular writing styles, such as APA, MLA, CMS, AP, and CSE.

13.  Edit24-7

Edit 24-7  specializes in proofreading and light editing for academics, businesses, and writers.

According to the website, Edit 24-7 has an extensive application process. To apply for a position, you need to send a writing sample and either your resume or a description of your relevant experience to [email protected].

14.  EditFast

The   EditFast  platform allows eligible editors and proofreaders to set up a web page where potential clients can reach out to them. Clients can choose which editor they want to work with or have EditFast choose someone.  

EditFast gets 40% of the final project price. 

The website states a requirement for past editing/proofreading experience, but it doesn’t say how many years.  

You need to have a degree from a recognized university. 

You must keep all communications with clients on the EditFast platform. 

15.  Edit911

Edit911  provides book, dissertation, article, and document editing by editors with PhDs.

The website doesn’t specify how many years of experience you need to have, but it does mention that you should have verifiable experience, so I don’t think it is suitable for beginners.  

Yes. You need to have a PhD in English or another writing-intensive discipline. You must also be a published scholar, with demonstrable talent and skills as a writer.

You need to send your résumé and a sample of your writing to Edit911 to be considered for a position.

16.  First Editing

First Editing provides fiction, nonfiction, and academic editing services. 

The website lists  First Editing’s requirements  here.   

It would be advantageous. First Editing is looking for people with a doctorate degree with experience in technical editing, theses, dissertations, research, article submissions, etc.

It also mentions master’s, bachelor’s, specific editing courses, proofreading certification, publishing seminars, etc.

You must be available to work at least 25 hours per week. Living in an international location may be advantageous, especially one that serves a time zone outside of the continental North American market, especially those editors located in the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, or Hawaii.

17.  Cambridge Proofreading LLC

Cambridge Proofreading  was founded in Cambridge, England, and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It matches the clients’ documents with editors who have subject-matter expertise. 

The average pay is US$20 to US$25 per hour, paid twice monthly.

The website states that the company’s preferred candidate will have experience in academic editing or publishing, or as university faculty.

Yes. Cambridge Proofreading boasts that all its editors hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with the majority having master’s or doctoral degrees. 

Expertise in STEM, business, economics, education, and computer science would be advantageous. 

18.  WordsRU

WordsRU   was established in Australia in 2002. It provides a specialist proofreading and editing service to businesses, academics, and writers.

No. You must have at least two years of professional experience as an editor, copyeditor, or proofreader.

Yes. You must hold a master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent professional experience in any academic discipline.

WordsRU is currently in need of qualified editors who are available to work on weekends.

19.  Scribbr

With an office in the Netherlands and a team of over 500 freelancers worldwide,  Scribbr  helps over one million students per month to improve their writing. As a Scribbr proofreader and editor, you would be editing papers, detecting plagiarism, and generating citations. It offers services in ten languages!

On average, Scribbr’s editors edit 1,700 words per hour and earn from €20 to €25 per hour.

No. You must have experience editing academic texts. 

Yes. You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. 

You must be a native English speaker and be available to work for at least ten hours per week. 

To  become a Scribbr editor , you must pass a rigorous application process including a language quiz and two to five simulation orders. 

20.  Stickler

Stickler  specializes in helping academics get published in a top-tier journal, complete their PhDs, or obtain funding by providing world-class proofreading and copyediting services. 

No. You must have significant experience editing academic texts. 

You must be able to turn work of 14,000 words or less around in two to four working days (more time will be allocated for longer jobs). You must also be familiar with Harvard and APA referencing styles (as a minimum).

21.  Editana

Editana  recruits editors and proofreaders from the world’s top universities to edit academic and nonacademic texts. 

No. You must have relevant proofreading experience to apply.  

The website doesn’t specify, but it does say that they actively recruit from universities, so it’s likely you’ll need to be working toward a degree.  

You will need to fill out an application form, provide a cover letter and résumé, and take an editorial test to be considered for a position. You must also be a native-English speaker. 

FAQs about Freelance Proofreading Jobs

Whew, that was a lot of information to get at one time! You probably have a lot of questions now like

• How do I become a freelance proofreader without a degree or experience?
• Can I start my own business instead of working for proofreading and editing companies?
• How much can I earn per hour as a proofreader?

Keep reading for the answers to those questions. 

How do I become a freelance proofreader without a degree?

You probably noticed that many of the proofreading jobs above require their editors and proofreaders have a degree or even a master’s or PhD! So it is even possible to become a proofreader without a degree?

Yes, you don’t need to have a degree to start your own proofreading business. You can market your business to get your own clients without relying on proofreading companies. 

When you work with proofreading agencies, they keep a percentage of the profits—sometimes even as much as 50%! Getting your own clients means that you get to keep all the money for the project (minus transaction fees). 

Start Your Own Proofreading Business

The first step to starting your own proofreading business is making sure that you have the appropriate skills and resources. 

One course that I have personally taken and can recommend is Proofread Anywhere’s  General Proofreading: Theory and Practice course . It includes lots of worksheets and essays so you can practice your proofreading skills as well as an entire module dedicated to teaching you how to market your business to get clients.

***Proofread Anywhere is 70% off until August 10 with the code FLASH70!***

Sign up for a  free Intro to Proofreading workshop  to learn how you can become a proofreader. 

Once you have the appropriate training, you need to gather your resources including a laptop/desktop computer, editing software, and  proofreading books and style guides . 

For more details on starting a proofreading business from home, check out my post about  how to become a proofreader without any experience . 

Can you make money proofreading?

One of the most common questions I get asked about working as a proofreader online is “Can you make money proofreading?” The answer is YES! You won’t become a millionaire by proofreading, but you can make a decent living. 

According to ZipRecruiter, a freelance proofreader in the United States can earn an  average of $51,391 per year  or $22/hour (as at August 11, 2020).

Caitlin Pyle of Proofread Anywhere  earned $43,000 a year as a part-time proofreader!

How much should I charge for proofreading per hour?

How much you can charge for proofreading depends on many factors. If you work for a proofreading agency, it will decide how much you will be paid. However, if you start your own proofreading business, you can set your own rates.

Proofreaders can charge per word, per page, per hour, or per project. It depends on the type of document you’re working on. 

Some editorial associations publish median rates that they have compiled by surveying their members. According to the  Editorial Freelancers Association  (EFA), proofreaders can charge between $0.02 and $0.03 per word or between $40 and $50 per hour for proofreading nonfiction (as of January 2024). 

The  Chartered Institute of Editors and Proofreaders  (CIEP) suggests a minimum hourly rate for proofreading of £29.85, and a minimum hourly rate of £34.70 for copyediting (as of March 2024).  

I cover how much proofreaders make in more detail in this post.

Final Thoughts about Online Proofreading Jobs

I hope this post gave you lots of ideas on how to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 

Don’t forget to check out this  free proofreading class  to find out how to become a proofreader with no experience!

Not sold on proofreading? There are tons of other options out there!  Check out this list of 33 home-based business ideas!