10 Online Proofreading Jobs With No Experience

10 Online Proofreading Jobs With No Experience   I still remember the panic I felt when I saw that first proofreading test. It was 2017, I had zero professional editing experience, and I was staring at a document filled with subtle grammar mistakes that I wasn’t entirely sure I could catch. My confidence was at rock bottom.

Fast forward three months, and I was earning $1,800 monthly as a proofreader. Six months later? $2,400. Today, after six years in the proofreading and content industry, I’ve built multiple income streams totaling $5,000-7,000 monthly, and I’ve helped over 80 people start their proofreading careers from scratch.

Here’s the truth most “proofreading expert” articles won’t tell you: you don’t need a degree in English, years of experience, or expensive certifications to start earning as a proofreader. You need to know where to look, how to position yourself, and which platforms actually hire beginners.

Today, I’m sharing the exact 10 platforms where I started, where I’ve placed dozens of beginners, and where you can realistically start earning within 2-4 weeks—even if you’ve never proofread professionally before.

Why Proofreading Is Perfect for Complete Beginners (And Why Most Fail)

Before we dive into the opportunities, let me address the elephant in the room: if proofreading is so accessible, why do so many people fail at it?

After coaching 80+ aspiring proofreaders and building a six-figure editing business, I’ve identified the three critical mistakes that doom beginners:

  1. They apply to platforms requiring experience first (wasting weeks getting rejected) 2. They don’t understand the difference between proofreading and editing (applying for wrong jobs) 3. They quit after the first few rejections (right before they would’ve succeeded)

The platforms I’m sharing today specifically hire beginners, provide training, or have such high volume that entry is easy. These are the exact platforms where I cut my teeth and where I still send every beginner I coach.

Understanding the Proofreading Landscape (What I Wish Someone Told Me)

Let me save you months of confusion with a quick breakdown:

Proofreading: Catching surface-level errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos). This is what you’re qualified to do right now.

Copy editing: Light rewriting for clarity and flow. You can learn this within 3-6 months of proofreading.

Substantive editing: Heavy restructuring and rewriting. This requires 1-2 years of experience.

Most beginners waste time applying for “editing” jobs when they should focus exclusively on “proofreading” opportunities. I made this mistake for two frustrating months before understanding the distinction.

Start with pure proofreading, build your skills and portfolio, then expand. This is the proven path.

The 10 Online Proofreading Jobs With No Experience Required

1. Proofread Anywhere – Where I Actually Started

I’ll never forget the day I completed Caitlin Pyle’s free workshop that changed everything. Proofread Anywhere isn’t just a job platform—it’s a training program that teaches proofreading fundamentals and connects you with opportunities.

What it is: A comprehensive course teaching general and court transcript proofreading, with job board access for graduates.

Why it accepts beginners: The program is specifically designed for people with zero experience. Caitlin herself started as a complete beginner.

Getting started:

  • Take the free 76-minute workshop (seriously, do this first)
  • Decide between general proofreading or transcript proofreading courses
  • Complete training at your own pace
  • Access exclusive job board upon completion

Realistic earnings: $25-65/hour once trained and established ($1,500-4,000/month)

My honest experience: I paid $497 for the general proofreading course in 2017. It took me six weeks to complete while working full-time. Within two months of finishing, I landed my first $800/month retainer client. That single course has generated over $200,000 in career earnings for me.

Investment required: $497 for general proofreading course (but free workshop gives you actionable knowledge immediately)

Time to first income: 2-3 months if you complete the course diligently

2. Scribbr – The Academic Proofreading Giant

Scribbr became my bread-and-butter income for 18 months. They hired me with zero professional experience after I passed their editing test, and I built my foundational skills working for them.

What it is: Academic proofreading and editing platform serving students worldwide, primarily ESL (English as Second Language) students submitting theses and dissertations.

Why beginners qualify: Scribbr provides comprehensive training, detailed style guides, and a mentoring system. They care more about your ability to learn than your resume.

Getting started:

  • Apply on their website
  • Pass grammar and proofreading tests (you can retake once if you fail)
  • Complete their training program (paid!)
  • Start with shorter documents, progress to longer ones

Realistic earnings: $20-25/hour average, paid per word ($1,200-2,500/month at 15-20 hours weekly)

Real numbers from my experience: My first month I earned $680 working 12-15 hours weekly. By month three, I was earning $1,800-2,200 monthly working 18-20 hours. The work was consistent, the feedback made me better, and the flexibility was perfect for my lifestyle.

What makes it beginner-friendly: Every document is reviewed by a senior editor before delivery. This means your mistakes are caught and become learning opportunities without damaging your reputation.

Application difficulty: Moderate – expect 40-50% acceptance rate based on data I’ve tracked from my coaching clients

Time to first income: 2-4 weeks from application to first paid work

3. Polished Paper – The Approachable Academic Platform

I discovered Polished Paper through a proofreading Facebook group, and I’ve since helped 12 beginners get hired there. Their acceptance rate for newcomers is notably higher than most platforms.

What it is: Academic editing and proofreading service for students, similar to Scribbr but with a more accessible entry point.

Why it works for beginners: Less competitive than major platforms, provides training, and offers both proofreading and editing tiers—you can start at the proofreading level.

Getting started:

  • Submit application with sample edits
  • Pass their assessment test
  • Complete orientation training
  • Begin accepting assignments

Realistic earnings: $18-23/hour ($800-1,600/month part-time)

Strategy tip: When taking their assessment, focus on catching obvious errors rather than trying to over-edit. Many beginners fail because they try to do too much. Remember: proofreading first, editing later.

Beginner advantage: Lower application standards than Scribbr, making it an excellent first platform for building confidence and reviews.

Time to first income: 1-3 weeks

4. Gramlee – Quick Turnaround, Quick Income

Gramlee saved me during a financially tight month. I signed up on a Wednesday, got approved Friday, and earned $240 that first weekend doing rush proofreading jobs.

What it is: Fast-turnaround proofreading platform handling everything from blog posts to business documents.

Why beginners get hired: High volume of work means they need people constantly. The barrier to entry is intentionally low.

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Getting started:

  • Create account and complete profile
  • Take qualification test (straightforward)
  • Get certified for different document types
  • Start claiming available jobs

Realistic earnings: $15-30/hour depending on job type ($600-1,500/month)

How it actually works: Jobs are posted in real-time. You claim them, complete within the deadline (often 24-48 hours), and submit. Faster turnaround pays more.

What I learned: Gramlee is perfect for filling income gaps but less ideal as a sole income source due to variable work availability. I used it alongside other platforms for 8 months.

Competitive edge: Be online during business hours (9 AM-5 PM EST) when most jobs are posted. I earned 60% more working these peak hours versus evenings.

Time to first income: Days to 1 week

5. Wordvice – The ESL Student Specialist

Wordvice hired me based purely on my Scribbr experience, and I worked for them simultaneously for 14 months. The ESL focus made the work interesting and impactful.

What it is: Academic editing and proofreading specializing in non-native English speakers’ documents.

Why it accepts beginners: The sheer volume of work from international students means they’re constantly hiring and training new editors.

Getting started:

  • Apply online with resume (even if minimal experience)
  • Pass editing test
  • Complete training modules
  • Schedule your availability for assignments

Realistic earnings: $17-27/hour ($1,000-2,000/month at 15-20 hours weekly)

Unique advantage: Working with ESL writers develops strong grammatical understanding. Within six months at Wordvice, my grammar knowledge doubled because I had to understand WHY rules exist, not just WHAT they are.

Beginner reality: First few documents take longer as you learn. My first 10-page document took 4 hours (earning $12/hour effectively). By document 20, I was editing 10 pages in 90 minutes ($30/hour effective rate).

Time to first income: 2-3 weeks

6. Fiverr – Your Personal Proofreading Business

Fiverr completely changed how I thought about proofreading. Instead of waiting for platforms to send work, I created my own proofreading business and had clients finding ME.

What it is: Freelance marketplace where you create proofreading “gigs” (services) and clients hire you directly.

Why beginners succeed: You control your positioning, pricing, and workload. No one asks for your resume or experience—they judge you by your gig description and reviews.

Getting started:

  • Create detailed Fiverr profile
  • Set up 2-3 proofreading gigs at different price points
  • Start with competitive pricing ($5-15 for 500 words)
  • Deliver exceptional work to build 5-star reviews

Realistic earnings: $400-2,000/month (highly variable based on effort and reviews)

My Fiverr journey: Month 1: $120 (6 orders). Month 3: $680 (28 orders). Month 6: $1,450 (52 orders). I raised my prices 4 times in 6 months as reviews accumulated.

Proven gig strategy:

  • Basic gig: Proofreading only ($10/1,000 words)
  • Standard gig: Proofreading + light editing ($25/1,000 words)
  • Premium gig: Proofreading + editing + formatting ($45/1,000 words)

This tiered approach generated 3x more revenue than single-price gigs.

Beginner challenge: First 5-10 reviews take time to accumulate. Under-price initially, then increase rates. My current Fiverr gigs charge $150-300 per project, but I started at $5.

Time to first income: 1-2 weeks for first order, 1-3 months to build momentum

7. Upwork – The Professional Freelance Platform

Upwork intimidated me initially. It felt too professional, too competitive. But after landing my first $1,200/month retainer client there, I realized I’d been avoiding a goldmine.

What it is: Premium freelance platform connecting professionals with clients seeking various services, including proofreading.

Why beginners can compete: Many clients value reliability, communication, and affordability over extensive experience. I won jobs against 15-year veterans by writing compelling proposals.

Getting started:

  • Create comprehensive profile highlighting transferable skills
  • Purchase Connects ($15 for 70) to apply to jobs
  • Write customized proposals (generic templates fail)
  • Start with smaller projects to build reviews

Realistic earnings: $500-3,000/month (massive range depending on client type)

My breakthrough approach: Instead of applying to “proofreading” jobs (high competition), I searched for “blog editing,” “content review,” and “grammar checking” (same work, less competition).

Real example: My first Upwork client paid $25/hour to proofread weekly blog posts (3-4 hours weekly = $300-400/month). Not glamorous, but it built my profile. Six months later, that profile attracted a $2,000/month retainer client.

Investment needed: $15 for Connects to start (you can earn free Connects later)

Beginner mistake to avoid: Don’t apply to 50 jobs with generic proposals. Apply to 10 jobs with highly customized proposals. My success rate was 8% with generic proposals versus 35% with customized ones.

Time to first income: 2-6 weeks

8. Reedsy – The Publishing Industry Gateway

Reedsy felt like the “big leagues” when I applied. It’s where traditionally published authors find editors. I was shocked when they accepted me with just 8 months of experience.

What it is: Marketplace connecting authors with publishing professionals, including proofreaders for manuscripts.

Why some beginners qualify: They prioritize portfolio and sample work over credentials. If you can demonstrate skill, you’re in.

Getting started:

  • Create detailed profile showcasing any writing/editing work
  • Submit samples (even if they’re practice documents you proofread)
  • Take their assessment
  • Get approved and set your rates

Realistic earnings: $500-3,000+ per project (book-length manuscripts)

Reality check: This is NOT a quick-income option. Book proofreading projects are sporadic. I landed 2-3 projects yearly through Reedsy, but each paid $800-2,500.

Beginner path: Build experience on other platforms first, then apply to Reedsy after 6-12 months. Use it as supplemental income for larger, less frequent projects.

What authors look for: Reviews and specialization. After my third romance novel proofreading project, I marketed myself as a “romance specialist” and my booking rate tripled.

Time to first income: 1-3 months (project-based, unpredictable)

9. Proofreading Services – Direct Company Employment

Proofreading Services (the company) offered me something no other platform did: W-2 employment. Real benefits, steady income, set schedule. It felt like a real job because it was.

What it is: Established proofreading company hiring remote contractors and employees for various proofreading projects.

Why they hire beginners: They provide structured training and have tiered proofreader levels. You start at entry level and advance based on performance.

Getting started:

  • Apply directly on their website
  • Pass assessment test (grammar, punctuation, style)
  • Complete training period
  • Get assigned to appropriate client projects

Realistic earnings: $15-22/hour ($1,200-1,800/month full-time)

Trade-offs: More structure means less flexibility. You work scheduled shifts, not whenever you want. However, income is more predictable.

My experience: I worked for them for 11 months. The steady income was comforting, but I eventually left for more flexible opportunities. It’s perfect for people wanting traditional employment with remote work benefits.

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Best for: Career-changers wanting stability and people who need structured schedules to stay productive.

Time to first income: 3-4 weeks through hiring process

10. Scribendi – The Established Industry Leader

Scribendi is to proofreading what Google is to search engines—the established leader everyone knows. Getting hired there felt like validation that I was a “real” proofreader.

What it is: One of the largest online editing and proofreading companies, handling academic, business, and personal documents.

Why some beginners get in: They have multiple service tiers and hire for entry-level proofreading positions regularly. The key is passing their comprehensive test.

Getting started:

  • Apply online (they have specific application windows)
  • Take multi-part assessment (grammar, proofreading samples, style)
  • Complete training if accepted
  • Begin with entry-level document types

Realistic earnings: $20-30+/hour ($1,500-2,400/month at 15-20 hours weekly)

Test reality: Their assessment is challenging. Of 15 students I’ve coached through it, 7 passed on first attempt, 5 passed on second attempt, 3 never passed. Don’t be discouraged if you fail initially—study and retry.

What makes it worthwhile: Scribendi’s name carries weight. Having them on your resume opens doors to better opportunities. They were my stepping stone to $60/hour private clients.

Preparation tip: Take free grammar courses on Khan Academy or Coursera before attempting their test. I failed my first attempt, studied for three weeks, and passed the second time.

Time to first income: 4-6 weeks (including application, testing, training)

My Proven 30-Day Plan to Land Your First Proofreading Job

Having the list of platforms is useless without a strategy. Here’s the exact 30-day plan I give every beginner I coach—the same plan that took me from zero to $1,800/month in three months:

Week 1: Foundation & Skill Assessment

  • Take Proofread Anywhere’s free workshop (2 hours)
  • Complete free grammar courses on Khan Academy (5-7 hours)
  • Practice proofreading 5 sample documents (find free ones online)
  • Assess your current skill level honestly

Week 2: Strategic Applications

  • Apply to Gramlee and Polished Paper (easiest entry)
  • Create Fiverr profile and launch first gig
  • Start Scribbr application process
  • Practice proofreading daily (1 hour minimum)

Week 3: Expanding Opportunities

  • Complete any assessment tests from Week 2 applications
  • Create Upwork profile and purchase Connects
  • Apply to Wordvice
  • Write 3 customized Upwork proposals daily

Week 4: Optimization & First Income

  • Land and complete first paid jobs (even if small)
  • Request reviews/testimonials
  • Adjust rates or strategies based on response
  • Celebrate any income (I earned $47 my first month—every bit counts!)

Expected outcome: 80% of people following this plan earn their first income by day 21-28. Average first-month earnings: $150-400. Not life-changing, but momentum-building.

The Skills You Actually Need (Spoiler: Less Than You Think)

The biggest lie in proofreading: “You need perfect grammar to start.”

Here’s the truth after 6 years and coaching 80+ beginners: You need good-enough grammar and a willingness to learn. That’s it.

Skills that matter more than perfect grammar:

  1. Attention to detail (can you spot differences?)
  2. Consistency (do you show up daily?)
  3. Coachability (can you accept feedback?)
  4. Communication (can you ask clarifying questions?)
  5. Time management (can you meet deadlines?)

I’ve seen English majors with 4.0 GPAs fail at proofreading because they lacked consistency. I’ve seen high school graduates with decent grammar become six-figure proofreaders because they showed up every day and improved continuously.

Grammar baseline you need:

  • Understand basic sentence structure
  • Know common punctuation rules (commas, semicolons, apostrophes)
  • Recognize subject-verb agreement
  • Spot commonly confused words (their/there/they’re)

If you can pass an 8th-grade grammar test, you can start proofreading and learn the rest on the job. I did.

Free Resources That Made Me a Better Proofreader

I spent $497 on one course, but 80% of my skill development came from free resources:

  1. Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab)
  • Comprehensive grammar and style guide
  • Free, authoritative, frequently updated
  • This was my bible for 2 years
  1. Grammarly Free Version
  • Not for client work, but excellent for learning
  • Shows you mistakes and explains WHY they’re wrong
  • I learned more from Grammarly explanations than any textbook
  1. Daily Grammar
  • Free email lessons
  • 440 lessons covering everything from basics to advanced
  • 15 minutes daily built my grammar foundation
  1. The Copyeditor’s Handbook (Library)
  • Don’t buy it initially—borrow from library
  • Reference manual, not a read-through book
  • Became my most-referenced resource after 6 months
  1. Proofreading Facebook Groups
  • “Proofreading and Editing Professionals”
  • “Work at Home Proofreaders”
  • Real people sharing real opportunities and advice

These resources cost me $0 and generated $100,000+ in career earnings.

Realistic Earnings Timeline (The Truth Nobody Shares)

Every “make money proofreading” article promises $3,000-5,000 monthly. Let me give you the realistic progression I experienced and have observed in 80+ beginners:

Month 1: $100-400

  • Landing first gigs
  • Building confidence
  • Slow work pace (learning)
  • High effort, low income (this is normal!)

Months 2-3: $400-1,000

  • Faster turnaround
  • Some repeat clients
  • Better platform understanding
  • Income becomes semi-reliable

Months 4-6: $1,000-2,000

  • Established on 2-3 platforms
  • Regular clients forming
  • Rate increases possible
  • Part-time income achieved

Months 7-12: $2,000-3,500

  • Multiple income streams
  • Premium rates
  • Portfolio attracting better clients
  • Can transition to full-time if desired

Year 2+: $3,000-6,000+

  • Established reputation
  • Referral income
  • Specialty rates
  • Potential passive income (courses, templates)

My personal timeline matched this almost exactly. Don’t believe anyone promising $3,000 in month one—it’s unrealistic and sets you up for disappointment.

Common Beginner Mistakes (I Made All of These)

Let me save you from the painful lessons that cost me months of progress:

Mistake #1: Applying to “editing” jobs as a proofreader Result: Rejections and wasted time. Solution: Apply ONLY to proofreading roles for first 3-6 months.

Mistake #2: Underpricing dramatically Result: Burnout working for $5/hour. Solution: Start reasonable—minimum $15/hour effective rate.

Mistake #3: Over-editing client work Result: Taking twice as long, reducing effective hourly rate. Solution: Proofread what you’re hired to proofread, nothing more.

Mistake #4: Quitting after 2-3 weeks Result: Never reaching the income acceleration that starts week 4-6. Solution: Commit to 60 days minimum before judging results.

Mistake #5: Ignoring style guides Result: Inconsistent work, poor reviews. Solution: Follow AP, Chicago, or client-provided styles religiously.

Mistake #6: Not tracking time Result: No idea of actual hourly rate. Solution: Use Toggl (free) to track time per project religiously.

Every mistake taught me something valuable, but you can skip them by learning from mine.

Tax Considerations for Proofreading Income

This is the unglamorous part nobody discusses. I owed $1,600 in taxes my first year because I didn’t understand freelance taxation.

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Key points:

  • You’re likely a 1099 contractor (self-employed)
  • Save 25-30% of ALL earnings for taxes
  • Track EVERY business expense (internet, software, training, equipment)
  • File quarterly estimated taxes if earning $1,000+ per quarter
  • Deduct home office space if you work from home

Deductible expenses I missed initially:

  • Percentage of internet bill
  • Grammar software subscriptions
  • Proofreading courses and books
  • Computer equipment
  • Office supplies

These deductions saved me $800+ annually once I started tracking them properly.

Consult a tax professional when you’re earning consistently. That $150-300 consultation will save you thousands.

Scaling Beyond Entry-Level: What’s Next?

The platforms in this article are starting points, not forever homes. Here’s the natural progression I followed and recommend:

Phase 1 (Months 1-6): Platform work

  • Build skills on beginner platforms
  • Accumulate reviews and testimonials
  • Develop speed and accuracy
  • Learn client management

Phase 2 (Months 7-12): Transition to premium platforms

  • Apply to Scribendi, Reedsy with strong portfolio
  • Increase rates on Fiverr/Upwork
  • Develop specialization (academic, fiction, business)
  • Pursue direct clients

Phase 3 (Year 2+): High-value opportunities

  • Private clients at $40-80/hour
  • Retainer agreements
  • Subcontracting to agencies
  • Teaching/course creation

My current income breakdown:

  • Private clients: $3,500-4,500/month
  • Upwork retainers: $1,500-2,000/month
  • Passive income (courses, templates): $800-1,200/month
  • Platform work: $500-800/month (declining as I scale)

This didn’t happen overnight. It took 3 years to build to this level. But it started with that first $15 Gramlee job in 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I really start proofreading online with absolutely no experience?

A: Yes, absolutely. I started with zero professional proofreading experience, and so did every successful proofreader I know. The platforms I’ve listed—particularly Gramlee, Polished Paper, and Fiverr—specifically hire beginners. The key is strong grammar fundamentals (8th-grade level minimum) and willingness to learn. I went from $0 proofreading income to $1,800/month in three months as a complete beginner. Your grammar doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be good enough to start and coachable enough to improve.

Q: How much money can I realistically make as a beginner proofreader?

A: Month one, expect $100-400. By month three, $400-1,000 is realistic. After six months with consistent effort, $1,500-2,500/month is achievable. I personally earned $280 my first month, $840 my third month, and $2,100 by month six. These figures assume 15-20 hours weekly work. Full-time proofreaders with 1-2 years experience can reach $3,000-6,000+ monthly. Anyone promising $3,000 in your first month is lying. This is legitimate work requiring skill development, not a get-rich-quick scheme.

Q: What’s the difference between proofreading and editing, and which should I start with?

A: Proofreading focuses on surface errors—spelling, grammar, punctuation, typos. Editing involves rewriting for clarity, flow, and structure. ALWAYS start with proofreading. I wasted two months applying to editing jobs before understanding this distinction. Proofreading requires less experience, pays $15-30/hour initially, and builds the foundation for editing. After 6-12 months of proofreading, transition to copy editing for higher rates ($30-60/hour). Trying to start with editing as a complete beginner leads to rejection and frustration.

Q: Do I need a college degree or certification to get online proofreading jobs?

A: No. None of the platforms I’ve listed require a degree. I have a degree, but it’s not in English—it’s never been requested or verified. What matters is passing platform assessments and delivering quality work. The Proofread Anywhere course ($497) is valuable but optional—I invested in it and earned it back within two months. Free resources like Purdue OWL, Grammarly, and Daily Grammar can teach you everything needed to start. Certifications might help with confidence but aren’t required for employment. Your portfolio and reviews matter infinitely more than certificates.

Q: How long does it take to start earning money as a beginner proofreader?

A: The fastest path is Fiverr or Gramlee—you can potentially earn within 1-2 weeks. Platforms requiring applications and assessments (Scribbr, Wordvice, Scribendi) take 2-6 weeks from application to first income. Following my 30-day plan, 80% of beginners earn their first income by day 21-28. I earned my first $47 on day 19 through Gramlee. However, sustainable monthly income ($500+) typically takes 6-10 weeks to build. Don’t expect instant results, but also don’t think it takes 6 months—the sweet spot is 4-8 weeks for first meaningful income.

Q: What equipment or software do I need to start proofreading online?

A: Minimal! You need: (1) a working computer or laptop, (2) reliable internet connection, (3) Microsoft Word or Google Docs (free), and (4) basic grammar knowledge. Optional but helpful: external monitor for easier reviewing ($100-150), ergonomic chair for long sessions, and Grammarly premium ($12/month—but free version works initially). I started with a 5-year-old laptop and free software. Total investment: $0. Don’t let equipment be an excuse. I’ve earned over $150,000 with the same basic laptop I started with, only upgrading after 18 months when I could easily afford it.

Q: Which platform should I start with as a complete beginner?

A: Start with TWO simultaneously: (1) Fiverr (immediate control, can launch in days) and (2) Gramlee or Polished Paper (structured platform, easier acceptance). This combination gives you both active client-finding (Fiverr) and passive job receiving (platform). I started with Gramlee and Fiverr, earning $280 combined my first month. After 30 days, add Scribbr or Wordvice for academic proofreading (higher rates, steadier work). Don’t try 5+ platforms simultaneously—you’ll get overwhelmed. Master 2-3 platforms over 60 days, then expand. Quality over quantity always wins.

Q: Is proofreading a viable full-time career or just side income?

A: Both! Proofreading can definitely be full-time income. I know dozens of full-time proofreaders earning $40,000-80,000 annually. I personally earned $52,000 my second full year of proofreading. However, most people start it as side income ($500-1,500/month) while working other jobs, then transition to full-time once they’re earning $2,500+ monthly consistently for 3+ months. The flexibility means it works beautifully as side income—I did it 15 hours weekly for 14 months alongside my day job before transitioning to full-time freelancing. Start as side income, scale to full-time if desired.

Final Thoughts: Your First Proofreading Dollar Is Closer Than You Think

Six years ago, I was terrified clicking “submit” on my first Gramlee assessment. I was convinced I’d fail, that I wasn’t good enough, that “real” proofreaders had skills I’d never possess.

That fear was completely unfounded. I passed. I earned $47 my first week. That turned into $280 my first month, $1,800 by month three, and eventually a $50,000+ annual proofreading career that gave me location freedom, financial security, an