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Boston Career Explorer

Office and Administrative Support

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

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.

Also called: Copy Editor, Copyholder, Editorial Assistant, News Copy Editor, Proofer, Proofreader

Median pay in Greater Boston
$57,840
$27.81/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
170
Massachusetts 2024–2034
Not published
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Bachelor's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$51,870$56,430$57,840$67,150$74,480

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • 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.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Higher exposure90 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 85
  • Language-model AIOE 93
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 93

Observed AI use today: Substantial (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure is higher for this job, and observed AI use is substantial. AI tools can already help check text for spelling, grammar, and inconsistencies, and compare records. People still decide which corrections fit the author's intent and route proofs to the right editors and authors.

Likely to change

  • Spotting spelling and grammar errors
  • Comparing records against the original copy

Still relies on people

  • Judging what the author intended
  • Working with authors and editors on fixes

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Medical Records Specialists

    Checking records for accuracy and completeness carries over. This move offers similar pay and a postsecondary award instead of a bachelor's degree.

    Pay difference
    +$2,620 median
    AI exposure
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    Postsecondary nondegree award

  • Administrative Services Managers

    Reviewing reports for accuracy builds on your attention to detail. This management role pays much more, though AI exposure is also higher.

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  • Graphic Designers

    Reviewing final layouts and suggesting improvements builds on proofing skills. This role pays more and has somewhat lower AI exposure than your current job.

    Pay difference
    +$20,430 median
    AI exposure
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    MA growth
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    To get started
    Bachelor's degree

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

37 programs near Boston (plus 23 graduate)

Related occupations

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