Proofreaders and Copy Markers Salary
The median proofreaders and copy markers salary in the United States is $51,120 per year ($24.58/hour). Salaries range from $34,510 at the entry level to $79,290+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 4,580 proofreaders and copy markers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 0.6% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$51,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.58
per hour
Employment
4,580
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$34,510
25th percentile
$41,170
Median
$51,120
75th percentile
$62,390
90th percentile
$79,290
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-0.6%
Decline
Annual Openings
1,900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Proofreaders and Copy Markers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$36K$68K■ No data
Top Paying States
District of Columbia
$68K
+33%
New York
$60K
+17%
California
$57K
+12%
Massachusetts
$57K
+12%
New Jersey
$57K
+11%
Ohio
$56K
+9%
Maryland
$54K
+5%
Washington
$54K
+5%
Missouri
$53K
+4%
Kansas
$51K
+0%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,120 | +33.3% |
| New York | $59,740 | +16.9% |
| California | $57,490 | +12.5% |
| Massachusetts | $57,160 | +11.8% |
| New Jersey | $56,700 | +10.9% |
| Ohio | $55,560 | +8.7% |
| Maryland | $53,920 | +5.5% |
| Washington | $53,890 | +5.4% |
| Missouri | $52,920 | +3.5% |
| Kansas | $51,160 | +0.1% |
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Proofreaders and Copy Markers Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $66,620 | +30.3% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $59,740 | +16.9% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $57,840 | +13.1% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $55,360 | +8.3% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $55,320 | +8.2% |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $55,280 | +8.1% |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,020 | +7.6% |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $54,900 | +7.4% |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $53,020 | +3.7% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $52,440 | +2.6% |
Showing 1–10 of 22
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A proofreaders and copy markers earning $51,120/year would need 1166 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1252 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how proofreaders and copy markers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary trend (2011–2024) →