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.
Proofreaders and Copy Markers
SOC: 43-9081 O*NET: 43-9081.00
Median Salary
$49,210
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Proofreaders and Copy Markers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$33,530
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,590
25th percentile
Median
$49,210
50th percentile
Experienced
$62,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,040
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$33,530
25th
$38,590
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,210
Mean: $52,730
75th
$62,380
90th
$78,040
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $44,510 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,590 and $62,380
- •Salary spread is 48.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,160 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:12,000
Top Industries
Information29.5%
Publishing Industries24.4%
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers23.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.6%
Annual Openings:1,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)12,000
Current
2034 (Projected)11,900
-0.6%
-100
Employment Change
-0.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Proofreaders and Copy Markers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 29 locations
New York
1,230 jobs$54,3803.85x
California
340 jobs$63,8200.57x
Pennsylvania
270 jobs$45,5101.32x
Illinois
220 jobs$44,6001.07x
Florida
220 jobs$37,3300.65x
Texas
200 jobs$49,9900.44x
Georgia
180 jobs$41,7501.10x
Virginia
170 jobs$47,4301.24x
New Jersey
160 jobs$56,9401.13x
Iowa
160 jobs$43,6303.03x
Michigan
160 jobs$39,3801.10x
Ohio
130 jobs$48,1800.70x
Wisconsin
100 jobs$41,7901.07x
Kansas
90 jobs$46,9601.88x
Indiana
90 jobs$39,5900.87x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Writing
86%
#3
Speaking
70%
#4
Active Listening
56%
#5
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate3.5
70%
Active Listening
basic2.8
56%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance70%
skills
3.5/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance56%
skills
2.8/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters80%
4 shared skills
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate71%
5 shared skills
Couriers and Messengers71%
5 shared skills
Library Assistants, Clerical71%
5 shared skills
Craft Artists67%
4 shared skills
Billing and Posting Clerks63%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechHubSpot software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechAdobe After Effects
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
HubSpot software
Microsoft Excel
Adobe After Effects
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
11
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)General Responsibilities (9)
1
Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Mark copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, using standard printers' marks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Read corrected copies or proofs to ensure that all corrections have been made.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Read proof sheets aloud, calling out punctuation marks and spelling unusual words and proper names.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Write original content, such as headlines, cutlines, captions, and cover copy.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •64% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Proofreaders and Copy Markers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Proofreaders and Copy Markers professionals typically have a CAI Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
AArtistic
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level5.00
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.65
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.42
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.17
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.06
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.74
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
5.0
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.4
Independence
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Persistence
3.7
Initiative
3.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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