Proofreader and Copy Marker Salary
Proofreaders and Copy Markers earn a median $51,120 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
U.S. median
$51,120
$24.58 per hour
Range
$34,510 – $79,290
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
4,580
across the U.S.
Proofreader and Copy Marker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$43,255
per year · effective tax rate 15.4%
$3,605Monthly
$1,802Twice a month
$1,664Every 2 weeks
$20.80Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,954
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,169
- Medicare (1.45%)$741
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$43,255
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,510 | $16.59 | $29,909 |
| 25th percentile | $41,170 | $19.79 | $35,260 |
| Median (50th) | $51,120 | $24.58 | $43,255 |
| 75th percentile | $62,390 | $30.00 | $52,310 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,290 | $38.12 | $64,611 |
Best cities for proofreaders and copy markers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $59,740 | $47,552 | $42,245 | 970 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $59,740
Proofreader and Copy Marker salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,120 | $53,771 | $44,130 – $103,200 | 50 |
| New York | $59,740 | $47,552 | $39,080 – $97,300 | 1,030 |
| California | $57,490 | $46,127 | $34,320 – $81,500 | 300 |
| Massachusetts | $57,160 | $45,470 | $51,870 – $74,480 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $56,700 | $46,154 | $38,560 – $81,400 | 160 |
| Ohio | $55,560 | $46,077 | $29,670 – $71,980 | 100 |
| Maryland | $53,920 | $43,307 | $42,900 – $65,530 | — |
| Washington | $53,890 | $45,481 | $39,990 – $105,840 | 60 |
| Missouri | $52,920 | $43,151 | $28,600 – $69,850 | 110 |
| Kansas | $51,160 | $41,232 | $24,960 – $67,760 | 90 |
| Illinois | $50,060 | $40,070 | $33,950 – $77,030 | 300 |
| Minnesota | $49,450 | $40,074 | $42,720 – $57,590 | — |
| Georgia | $49,200 | $39,782 | $34,980 – $58,910 | — |
| Virginia | $48,090 | $38,869 | $41,270 – $60,510 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,510 | $38,896 | $38,000 – $82,340 | 230 |
| Kentucky | $46,380 | $37,941 | $41,200 – $72,830 | 70 |
| North Carolina | $46,140 | $37,921 | $36,020 – $56,730 | 70 |
| Iowa | $44,680 | $37,034 | $38,430 – $66,350 | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $43,630 | $36,098 | $28,400 – $62,820 | 60 |
| South Carolina | $42,900 | $35,233 | $35,670 – $60,390 | 40 |
| Utah | $42,840 | $35,640 | $38,560 – $52,920 | — |
| Texas | $41,990 | $35,919 | $32,010 – $65,460 | 200 |
| Indiana | $40,920 | $33,882 | $36,530 – $51,030 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $36,730 | $30,703 | $22,060 – $68,910 | 50 |
| Florida | $35,610 | $30,793 | $33,620 – $119,150 | 200 |
| Michigan | $35,530 | $29,469 | $32,180 – $63,090 | 140 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a proofreader and copy marker make?
The national median salary for proofreaders and copy markers is $51,120 a year ($24.58 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,510 and the top 10% earn over $79,290. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays proofreaders and copy markers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $68,120. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many proofreaders and copy markers are there in the U.S.?
About 4,580 people work as proofreaders and copy markers nationwide.