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Proofreaders and Copy Markers in California

Considering working as a Proofreaders and Copy Markers in California? Here’s what the data says. 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 do Proofreaders and Copy Markers Make in California?

The proofreaders and copy markers working in California, wages run about $63,820 per year (or roughly $30.68/hour).Pay can range from $35,850 at the 10th percentile to $90,940 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,850	$17.24
25th percentile	$43,950	$21.13
Median (50th)	$63,820	$30.68
75th percentile	$77,630	$37.32
90th percentile	$90,940	$43.72

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California nationwide is 0.57, meaning fewer proofreaders and copy markers per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, proofreaders and copy markers earn a median of $30,503 per year ($14.67/hour), above the California median.

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 282,552 proofreaders and copy markers in the U.S.. In California alone, about 340 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 90 proofreaders and copy markers.

Top California Metros for Proofreaders and Copy Markers

These are the California metros with the most proofreaders and copy markers in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	150	$65,170
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	70	$70,300

Top States for Proofreaders and Copy Markers Employment

These states have the highest employment of proofreaders and copy markers work.

State	Number Employed
New York	1,230
California	340
Pennsylvania	270
Illinois	220
Florida	220
Texas	200
Georgia	180
Virginia	170
Michigan	160
New Jersey	160
Iowa	160
Ohio	130
Wisconsin	100
Indiana	90
Kansas	90
Minnesota	80
Missouri	80
District of Columbia	70
Colorado	70
Kentucky	70

Highest-Paying States for Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Where proofreaders and copy markers earn the most: proofreaders and copy markers.

State	Annual Median Salary
District of Columbia	$63,920
California	$63,820
New Jersey	$56,940
Washington	$55,760
Massachusetts	$54,790
Maryland	$54,680
New York	$54,380
Colorado	$53,710
Nebraska	$53,220
Minnesota	$50,560

Skills

The most important proofreaders and copy markers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for proofreaders and copy markers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Mark copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, using standard printers' marks.
• Read corrected copies or proofs to ensure that all corrections have been made.
• Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found.
• Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors.
• Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting.
• Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition.
• Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions.
• Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs.
• Write original content, such as headlines, cutlines, captions, and cover copy.
• Typeset and measure dimensions, spacing, and positioning of page elements, such as copy and illustrations, to verify conformance to specifications, using printer's ruler or layout software.
• Read proof sheets aloud, calling out punctuation marks and spelling unusual words and proper names.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Working with Computers
• Processing Information
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Documenting/Recording Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects In-demand technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software

Related Careers

Careers similar to proofreaders and copy markers include:

• Document Management Specialists
• Social Science Research Assistants
• Archivists
• Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
• Library Technicians
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Also Known As

Braille Proofreader, Checker, Clerical Proofreader, Content Analyst, Content Coordinator, Copy Coordinator, Copy Editor, Copy Holder, Copy Preparer, Copy Reader, Copyholder, Copyman, Data Examination Clerk, Data Reviewer, Digital Content Coordinator.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-9081.00