What Do Proofreaders/Copy Editors Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for proofreaders/copy editors?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what proofreaders/copy editors do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Proofreaders/Copy Editors Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about proofreaders/copy editors by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Proofreaders/Copy Editors 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.
Popular Job Titles For Proofreaders/Copy Editors
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Proofreaders
- Proofreaders/Copy Editors
- Proofreaders/Editors
- Legal Proofreaders
- Copywriters
- Global Creative Directors
- Localization Testers
- Copywriting Interns
- Copy Managers
- Copywriters/Proofreaders
- Copy Editors
- Copy Supervisors
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for proofreaders/copy editors can be found.
Best Industries for Proofreaders/Copy Editors
Proofreaders/Copy Editors Jobs By Industry
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers: 29.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 11%
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services: 8.2%
- Business Support Services: 5.7%
- Employment Services: 4.9%
- Legal Services: 4.2%
- Other: 36.9%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of proofreaders/copy editors can be found working in the Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers sector. In 2023, about 29.1% of all jobs for proofreaders/copy editors were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (11%), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (8.2%), Business Support Services (5.7%), Employment Services (4.9%) and Legal Services (4.2%).
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What Do Proofreaders/Copy Editors Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what proofreaders/copy editors do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work proofreaders/copy editors do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that proofreaders/copy editors tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for proofreaders/copy editors, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Proofreaders/Copy Editors
Based on 1,689 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Proofreaders/Copy Editors
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreading | 1,206 | 71% |
| Marketing | 569 | 34% |
| Copywriting | 445 | 26% |
| Punctuation and Capitalization | 321 | 19% |
| Style Guides | 299 | 18% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Proofreaders/Copy Editors
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | 729 | 43% |
| Writing | 729 | 43% |
| Communication | 681 | 40% |
| Detail Oriented | 656 | 39% |
| English Language | 568 | 34% |
Based on 1,689 job postings related to proofreaders/copy editors, proofreading was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 71% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, copywriting, punctuation and capitalization, style guides and journalism were also highly sought.
As for common skills, grammar was the most desired skill found in job postings for proofreaders/copy editors, followed by writing, communication, detail oriented, english language and editing.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreading | 1,206 | 71% |
| Marketing | 569 | 34% |
| Copywriting | 445 | 26% |
| Punctuation and Capitalization | 321 | 19% |
| Style Guides | 299 | 18% |
| Journalism | 271 | 16% |
| Project Management | 189 | 11% |
| Content Creation | 186 | 11% |
| Advertisement | 183 | 11% |
| Copy Editing | 182 | 11% |
| Written Composition | 167 | 10% |
| Marketing Materials | 152 | 9% |
| Search Engine Optimization | 133 | 8% |
| AP Stylebook | 132 | 8% |
| Social Media | 120 | 7% |
| Fact Checking | 112 | 7% |
| Workflow Management | 108 | 6% |
| Brand Strategy | 104 | 6% |
| Syntax | 96 | 6% |
| Typography | 96 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | 729 | 43% |
| Writing | 729 | 43% |
| Communication | 681 | 40% |
| Detail Oriented | 656 | 39% |
| English Language | 568 | 34% |
| Editing | 427 | 25% |
| Microsoft Office | 302 | 18% |
| Research | 291 | 17% |
| Microsoft Excel | 229 | 14% |
| Customer Service | 216 | 13% |
| Microsoft Word | 199 | 12% |
| Organizational Skills | 198 | 12% |
| Leadership | 194 | 11% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 194 | 11% |
| Self-Motivation | 190 | 11% |
| Time Management | 188 | 11% |
| Presentations | 182 | 11% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 180 | 11% |
| Ability To Meet Deadlines | 172 | 10% |
| Prioritization | 172 | 10% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Proofreaders/Copy Editors
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreaders | 1,263 | 57.8% |
| Proofreaders/Copy Editors | 101 | 4.6% |
| Proofreaders/Editors | 96 | 4.4% |
| Legal Proofreaders | 232 | 10.6% |
| Copywriters | 49 | 2.2% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was proofreaders, with 692 unique job postings. Proofreaders/copy editors were second, with 49 postings, followed by proofreaders/editors, legal proofreaders and copywriters.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to proofreaders/copy editors.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Proofreaders | 1,263 | 57.8% |
| Proofreaders/Copy Editors | 101 | 4.6% |
| Proofreaders/Editors | 96 | 4.4% |
| Legal Proofreaders | 232 | 10.6% |
| Copywriters | 49 | 2.2% |
| Global Creative Directors | 39 | 1.8% |
| Localization Testers | 48 | 2.2% |
| Copywriting Interns | 42 | 1.9% |
| Copy Managers | 39 | 1.8% |
| Copywriters/Proofreaders | 24 | 1.1% |
| Copy Editors | 40 | 1.8% |
| Copy Supervisors | 25 | 1.1% |
| Content Strategists | 17 | 0.8% |
| Copy Specialists | 91 | 4.2% |
| Copy Directors | 20 | 0.9% |
| Writers/Editors/Proofreaders | 19 | 0.9% |
| Content Specialists | 15 | 0.7% |
| Marketing Communications Coordinators | 7 | 0.3% |
| Creative Services Managers | 9 | 0.4% |
| Legislative Research Assistants | 9 | 0.4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for proofreaders/copy editors? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for proofreaders/copy editors.
How much do proofreaders/copy editors make?
Proofreaders/Copy Editors: How do you become one?
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