Download My FREE Income Ideas Cheat Sheet!
Make. More. Money. Join 20,000+ subscribers learning how to boost their income and take control of their finances.

Don't worry – we hate spam too. Unsubscribe at any time.

74+ Best Proofreading Jobs Online No Experience Required (2024 Guide)

Don't Work Another Day is reader-supported. We may receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own.
  By Forrest McCall | Last Updated:  December 22, 2022

If you’re reading this article, I’m willing to bet that you just Googled “best proofreading jobs online no experience required” or something like it. 

So before I even get started, I want you to know that there are plenty of online proofreading job opportunities – even if you have zero experience. 

In fact, proofreading is one of the top side-hustles I recommend to anyone who wants to start making money online.

There’s no experience required, you can work when and where you want, and you can set your own pricing. It’s amazing!

In this article, you’ll find:

  • 71+ best proofreading jobs online no experience required
  • How to get started as a new proofreader ASAP
  • Pros and cons of proofreading
  • Tools you’ll need
  • And much more!

Without further ado, let’s dive in. 

Top Websites to Get Proofreading Jobs Online No Experience

Website Best For:
Flex Jobs Beginner freelance proofreaders with no experience
Upwork Beginner freelance proofreaders with no experience
Proofreading Services Beginner proofreaders, no experience required
Reedsy Beginner freelance proofreaders
ProBlogger Job Board Beginner freelance proofreaders

Free Proofreading Training

Learn what it takes to become a proofreader and start your own proofreading business in this free training!

 

74 Best Online Proofreading Jobs (No Experience Required)

  • Flex Jobs Membership-based online job board with high-quality freelance jobs. Includes plenty of editing and entry level proofreading jobs.
  • ProBlogger Jobs Freelance job board for freelance writers, editors, and proofreaders. 
  • Fiverr Online gig-based website for freelancer proofreaders to connect with clients. 
  • Reedsy A marketplace that connects proofreaders, editors, and designers with clients in need like authors, businesses, etc. 
  • UpWork Online job marketplace connecting proofreaders with freelance proofreading jobs online no experience required.
  • Freelancer Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • Domainite Website and article proofreading and editing. 
  • Guru Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • Remote.co Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online.  
  • Proofreading Services Proofreading for books, articles, academic papers, and more. Full time and part time available from $19 to $46 USD per hour. 
  • People Per Hour Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • Virtual Vocations Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • LinkedIn Business-oriented social media platform where you can find entry level proofreading jobs online on the job board. Also attract potential clients with a filled-out profile. 
  • Writer’s Relief Proofreading jobs online for books, prose, poetry, novels, children’s books, and more. 
  • Remotive Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • Working Nomads Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • Solid Gigs Job match service that sends you freelance proofreading client leads. 
  • Morning Coffee Newsletter a newsletter put out by FreelanceWriting that comes out every day full of writing, editing, and proofreading jobs online. 
  • Poets and Writers Organization for poets and writers featuring a job board with plenty of opportunities for editing and proofreading jobs online.
  • Book Launchers This website for self-publishers has an ongoing need for freelance proofreaders. 
  • We Work Remotely Online job board to find freelance proofreading jobs online. 
  • Eluta Canadian online job board with tons of jobs in many different industries proofreading included.
  • Career Jet Online Canadian job board with tons of jobs in many different industries proofreading included.
  • Simply Hired Online job board and job aggregator. Try the keyword: proofreading.
  • Jooble Online job board with nearly 1 million job listings. Use keywords like proofreading, copy editing, editing, etc.
  • Get Editing Jobs Online job board that aggregates all editing, writing, and proofreading jobs online into one easy to find place.
  • Indeed Largest online job board in the US, you can find plenty of proofreading jobs online with no experience required. 
  • LionBridge Global communications platform that hires editors, translators, proofreaders, and more on an as-needed basis. 
  • MediaBistro A job board for creatives featuring editorial and proofreading jobs online. 
  • Click Worker Task-based job platform with a variety of jobs, including proofreading. 
  • My Kelly Jobs Online job board with proofreading jobs online. 
  • Editorial Freelancers Association Membership-based freelancing association for editorial freelancers, like proofreaders. Complete with education and job board.
  • Jobs for Editors Freelance editorial and proofreading job website.
  • Your Own Website Creating your own website to attract proofreading jobs is a great idea, especially as a beginner. Learn how to create a website step-by-step here.  
  • Facebook Jobs Yup, Facebook has a job board. And you can find proofreading jobs on it, too. 
  • Facebook Groups FB Groups are a great place to find freelance work and connect with potential clients. Don’t just join proofreader groups, join author groups too. Author groups will be the best for jobs.
  • Craigslist Browse the “gigs�? and jobs sections to find online proofreading jobs in your local area and beyond.
  • Duolingo Popular language training app that frequently hires multi-lingual editors and proofreaders on an as-needed basis.
  • ProTranslate Multilingual translation platform that hires editors and proofreaders on an as-needed basis.
  • Academia Research Academic writing and consulting company that hires writers, editors, and proofreaders.
  • Writing Jobz Academic and business freelance writing, editing, and proofreading jobs online (no experience required). 
  • The Write Jobs Specialty job board for writers, editors, freelance proofreaders, and more. 
  • Jobilico Online job board that connects you with clients after uploading your resume. You can also browse their proofreading jobs. 
  • R3ciprocity Community-based proofreading and editing platform. Low pay, but a great way to hone your skills.
  • Smart Brief Digital media publisher hiring editors and proofreaders on an as-needed basis. 
  • Word Firm Inc/Managed Editors Manuscript, professional, and academic proofreading jobs. 
  • OneSpace Proofreading and editing for a variety of online clients.
  • Wordy Proofreading and editing for professionals, newspapers, business, and more. 
  • Kirkus Book proofreading.
  • Hello Essay Academic Proofreading.
  • Toogit Online job board that connects freelancer proofreaders with clients. 
  • Proofread Now Corporate and business proofreading.
  • Scribe Media Book and novel proofreading jobs online. 
  • Cambridge Proofreading and Editing Business and academic proofreading jobs online. 
  • American Journal Experts Technical and academic editing and proofreading jobs. 
  • Edit 911 Academic, professional, fiction, and non-fiction proofreading jobs. 
  • Scribendi Academic, business, and book proofreading and editing jobs online. 
  • Edit My English Proofreading for academic papers, business documents, books, and more. 
  • BabbleType Audio transcription website that hires proofreaders, translators, and transcribers.
  • Resume Edge Resume writing, editing, and proofreading. 
  • Scribbr Academic editing and proofreading. 
  • LifeTips Article and blurb proofreading. 
  • Quality Proofreading Academic and business proofreading jobs. 
  • Proofreading.org Business and academic proofreading jobs. 
  • Polished paper Academic proofreading, business, and book proofreading. 
  • Book in a Box Book and novel proofreading. 
  • EditFast Freelance job board specifically for proofreaders and editors. 
  • WordVice Proofreading for books, scripts, business papers, academic documents, and more. 
  • Kibin Academic proofreading. 
  • Proofreading Pal Business, resume, academic, student, and book proofreading and more. 
  • WordsRU Proofreading for books, academic papers and documents, ebooks, websites, and more. 
  • Cactus Global Academic editing and proofreading.
  • Gramlee All types of proofreading.
  • Sibia Proofreading Books, articles, dissertations, and more (hires on as-needed basis).

Best Proofreading Jobs From Home No Experience Required

There are two main types of proofreading jobs in this list: 

  • Proofreading jobs with companies and/or editorial agencies.
  • Job boards to find proofreading jobs as a freelance proofreader or independent contractor. 

Which kind of arrangement you choose is entirely up to you, but there are pros and cons of each. 

Working for Proofreading Companies vs Freelance Proofreading

So, which is better? Being a freelance proofreader or getting an online proofreading job? 

If you have no prior proofreading experience and no degree, being a freelance proofreader is your best bet. 

As a freelance proofreader, clients come to you asking you to work for them. You are able to work directly with clients and keep all the payment, too. 

On the other hand, proofreading jobs with agencies and editorial companies can pay well. 

But almost all of them require either a masters or a PhD. 

Honestly, I was shocked when I was doing research for this article. 

I don’t expect you to go out and get a PhD to be a proofreader, and you don’t have to have one to be successful, either. 

Most successful proofreaders that I know have zero college credits or degrees.

In most cases, freelancing is the most lucrative because you set your own prices. And, it’s easier to get clients because there is no 3rd party standing between you and the clients. 

That means there is no one to demand degrees or certificates: just you and the client.

5 Best Companies to Get Entry Level Proofreader Jobs

Not all proofreading companies require you to have a degree. However, many of them do. 

That being said, getting a job with a proofreading company can still be a smart move. Here are some of the best companies to work with as a proofreader online with no experience.

  1. Proofreading Services
  2. Writer’s Relief
  3. Domainite
  4. Book Launchers
  5. Click Worker

Top Job Boards to Find the Best Freelance Proofreading Jobs Online

If you want to be a freelance proofreader, job boards are where it’s at! Here are the best job boards to find proofreading jobs online with no experience. 

  1. FlexJobs
  2. Upwork
  3. Fiverr
  4. Reedsy
  5. SolidGigs
  6. ProBlogger Job Board
  7. Poets and Writers
  8. Edit Fast
  9. Get Editing Jobs
  10. Media Bistro

FAQs About Proofreading Jobs From Home No Experience Required

Free Proofreading Training

Learn proofreading basics and how to start your own proofreading business in this free training!

 

What Is a Proofreader?

A proofreader is someone who goes through a rough draft of a document looking for grammar, spelling, punctuation errors, and inconsistencies.

Additionally, proofreaders check text for proper formatting, style, and repetitions. 

If you frequently spot grammatical or spelling errors as you’re reading, being a proofreader will come naturally to you.  

Proofreading vs Editing

The main difference between proofreading and editing is the type of editing being performed. Proofreaders catch grammatical, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Editors correct writing issues like sentence structure, voice, and clarity.

Who Hires Proofreaders?

Almost every industry you can think of hires proofreaders. Everyone from bloggers and self publishers up to large businesses and Fortune 500 companies… They all have the need for a proofreader at one point or another. 

Proofreaders make money reading things like:

  • Blog articles
  • Website content
  • Academic Papers
  • Research Papers
  • Technical Writing
  • Emails
  • Ebooks
  • Novels and Novellas
  • Poetry
  • Prose
  • Corporate Documents
  • And more!

How Do I Get Started Proofreading Online With No Experience?

You can start applying for proofreading jobs right now, but you might not get very far. 

If you want to set yourself up for success as a proofreader without experience, I highly recommend learning everything you can about how it works and how to get clients. 

While you don’t need experience to become a proofreader online, you do need knowledge. Lucky for you, you can find the knowledge online and use your new skills to get high-paying proofreading jobs! 

If you want to learn how to become a proofreader online with no experience, I recommend checking out Proofread Anywhere.

Caitlin at Proofread Anywhere turned her proofreading side hustle into a full-time business, and she’s taught hundreds of others how to do the same. The Proofread Anywhere course teaches you:

  • Proofreading basics
  • Advanced proofreading
  • How to get high-paying proofreading jobs and clients
  • What/How much to charge for your services
  • How to turn your side hustle into a business

Plus, once you complete the course you get added to a list of certified proofreaders that clients can browse, find you, and hire you.

Of course, you don’t have to sign up for their course right away.

In fact, Proofread Anywhere offers a free mini-course that teaches you the basics, how much you can make, and helps you decide if proofreading is the right path for you. Check it out here. 

Want more info? Check out my Proofread Anywhere review here.

What Qualifications are Needed to Be a Proofreader? 

There are zero qualifications required to be a freelance proofreader. But if you want to get a job at a proofreading company, they may require you to have a degree or some experience. 

The good news is that freelancing is a viable option for anyone and everyone! Learn how to start your own thriving freelance proofreading business here

How Much Money do Proofreaders Make?

The annual average salary of a proofreader according to Salary.com is around $54,000 per year, or $4,500/mo. However, the true annual yearly earnings of a freelance proofreader is difficult to estimate, if not impossible. 

Freelancers do not report their yearly earnings to salary estimate websites like employers do, so it’s much harder to gauge. 

Proofreaders charge between $25 and $50 per hour on average. So, a full-time proofreader who charges $50/hour earns $96,000 per year. 

How Do You Find High-Paying Proofreading Jobs?

Not all proofreading jobs are the same. As you begin to browse freelancing job boards, you may notice that some clients ask for work for an insanely low price. 

So how do you know how and where to find high-paying proofreading jobs online even if you have no experience? 

Job boards are a great place to start, but there’s a specific process you should go through to find out which clients are worth it and which aren’t. 

Proofreader Caitlin Pyle shares what she’s learned about finding high-paying clients in her several years of proofreading experience in a free workshop

In this free workshop, you’ll learn proofreading basics and more… But more importantly, you’ll learn how and where to identify high-paying clients

How to Make the Most Money Possible as a Freelance Proofreader

Starting your own freelance proofreading side hustle or business is super exciting. However, it can be slow going in the first few months as you’re learning the ropes of freelancing. 

I’ve been a freelancer since 2017 and I learn something new every month. Here’s how to make the most money possible as a freelance proofreader.

Get Proper Training

First, get proper training. 

Can you do it without signing up for a course? Yes, absolutely. But it’s going to take you 10x longer to learn everything on your own. 

If you want to fast-track your path to success and profitability, my number 1 piece of advice is this: Find someone who has already been successful at what you want to do and learn from them. 

I recommend Proofread Anywhere by Caitlin Pyle, but the reality is that there are a ton of proofreading courses out there. 

You can try the free workshop from Proofread Anywhere to see if you like what they’re about. 

If not, just be sure you research the teacher of any potential training you decide to take. Be sure they’re legit before handing them any money!

Pick a Profitable Niche

Niching down will make you more profitable no matter what kind of business or side hustle you run. 

A niche is a topic or a specialty. Picking a niche as a proofreader can look like choosing to proofread only certain types of topics or items. 

  • Academic papers. 
  • Cryptocurrency whitepapers and technical documents ($$$).
  • Romance novels. 
  • Sci-fi novels. 
  • Manuscripts. 
  • Court transcripts. 
  • Website copy. 
  • Email copy. 
  • Social media copy. 

The list can go on and on. 

Create Your Own Website

Want to know one of the fastest and easiest things you can do as a freelancer that will make you instantly look 20 times more legit? Create a website. 

When you have a website, potential clients will view you as a professional right out the gate. And you can charge more money just by having a website… Having a website makes you look more professional, and professionals charge higher rates. 

Treat it Like a Business

You have to treat your proofreading side hustle like an actual business. That is, of course, if you want it to pay you like a real business. 

So what exactly does that mean? 

For starters: consistency. 

New projects and side hustles can be really exciting in the beginning, so it’s easy to show up and learn more and try to make money every single day. 

But after the newness wears off, it starts to feel more like work – which is appropriate, because a side hustle is work. 

However, if you want to be successful, you need to show up every single day… regardless of whether or not you want to. 

Dedicate time to learning, set aside a certain number of hours per day or week to work on your side hustle, and don’t give up. 

Other ways of treating your side hustle like a business include: 

  • Setting up your own website – it doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple one-page website will work fine. 
  • Having a client onboarding process. 
  • Not low-balling yourself and working for the least money possible: know your worth. If you don’t charge what you’re worth, clients will gladly walk all over you. 

Offer Extra Services

This is a method I use often in my own freelancing business to bring in extra income from my existing clients. 

Although I am a freelance writer first and foremost, I offer many different services to my clients, including proofreading and editing. 

The services you offer your clients should go hand-in-hand with the type of work you’re already doing. And it should be enjoyable! 

Here are some ideas for extra services you can offer as a proofreader. 

  • Editing and formatting.
  • Reference checking.
  • Writing.
  • Graphic design.
  • WordPress article uploading and publishing.

Considerations for Freelance Proofreaders

If you’re serious about becoming a freelance proofreader, there are a few things you should look out for. 

Avoiding Low-Balling Clients

When you first start out, you might have to take a few low-paying jobs to get experience and testimonials. This is normal. 

However, a lot of beginner freelance proofreaders get stuck in a rut by working for low-paying clients. Don’t get stuck here!

While it may not feel like it at the time, it’s better to decline a low-paying job and have no work than to be overwhelmed with low-paying gigs that aren’t paying your bills. 

Stay Away From Scams

The online world is rife with scams, and online proofreading jobs can be no different. 

Check out this article to learn how to avoid common remote job scams. 

In addition to those common scams, look out for scammy proofreading clients asking you to re-work something you’ve already done. If someone asks you for a revision, you need to be charging them unless you offer revisions as a free part of your service.

Level Up All the Time

One of the best pieces of advice I can give any new freelancer is to always be learning. 

Not only will you get better at your craft, you will always have good reason to consistently raise your pricing.

Pros and Cons of Proofreading Online with No Experience

So, what are the pros and cons of proofreading online with no experience? 

Pros:

  • It’s an amazing way to make money online with no experience. 
  • As a freelancer you get to set your own hours, set your own rates, and choose who you do and don’t work with. 
  • Starting a proofreading side hustle can be a fast path to location-independence and financial freedom. 

Cons:

  • You may have to take low-paying jobs to gain experience in the beginning. 
  • Being your own boss requires a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline. 

The Best Way to Learn Proofreading FAST So You Can Get Started ASAP

If you want to hit the ground running and learn proofreading fast, I can’t recommend Proofread Anywhere enough. 

Proofread Anywhere features online proofreading training for hopeful proofreaders. You learn how to start a proofreading side hustle (or full-time gig) from a highly successful freelance proofreader, Caitlin Pyle. 

Caitlin has several years of experience as a freelance proofreader and she put all her knowledge into an online course to help others get started. 

The best way to fast track your path to success is to learn from someone who has already been successful at what you want to do. 

But you don’t have to commit right away. Check out Caitlins free proofreading training where you’ll learn: 

  • Exactly what proofreaders do (and don’t do).
  • To avoid the most common mistakes new proofreaders make.
  • How becoming a proofreader can be your ticket to financial freedom.
  • How to find high-paying proofreading clients.

Tools That Will Help You In Your Proofreading Journey

Here are some tools that will help you a lot in your proofreading journey. 

While they might seem a little basic, these tools and books will do wonders for you. Even professional proofreaders use these tools and refer to the books once in a while!

Final Thoughts on Best Proofreading Jobs Online No Experience Required

Proofreading is one of the best work at home jobs for anyone who is looking to get started online. 

Plus, it's a totally flexible freelance job type that can help you achieve financial freedom!

This is an online job opportunity that doesn't require much skill other than a knack for grammar and spelling. With a little bit of training, you can be a professional proofreader in no time. 

I'll leave you with this: 

If you want to learn how to become a proofreader right away and turn your proofreading side-hustle into a legitimate business, check out this free workshop

Forrest is a personal finance, entrepreneurship, and investing expert dedicated to helping others obtain life long wealth. He has a Bachelor's degree in business and has been featured in many popular publications including Forbes, Business Insider, Bankrate, CNET Money, and many others. To learn more about Forrest, visit the About Us Page for more info.
Download My FREE Income Ideas Cheat Sheet!
Make. More. Money. Join 20,000+ subscribers learning how to boost their income and take control of their finances.

Don't worry – we hate spam too. Unsubscribe at any time.