Top 15 cities for proofreaders and copy markers by average salary
| New York, NY | $67,880 |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,550 |
| Boston, MA | $61,820 |
| Washington, DC | $60,980 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $60,240 |
| St. Louis, MO | $55,870 |
| San Francisco, CA | $54,650 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $54,050 |
| Miami, FL | $53,850 |
| Denver, CO | $53,270 |
| Chicago, IL | $53,250 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $52,830 |
| Louisville, KY | $50,150 |
| Dallas, TX | $49,760 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,650 |
Map: Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary by metro area
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary by state
Washington, D.C. pays proofreaders and copy markers the most statewide, $69,220 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $69,220 | $68,120 | 50 | 1 | $60,980 | $60,980 |
| New York | $65,980 | $59,740 | 1,030 | 2 | $67,880 | $47,050 |
| Massachusetts | $61,230 | $57,160 | 190 | 1 | $61,820 | $61,820 |
| New Jersey | $59,790 | $56,700 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| California | $59,630 | $57,490 | 300 | 2 | $64,550 | $54,650 |
| Washington | $58,310 | $53,890 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $55,170 | $47,510 | 230 | 2 | $60,240 | $49,650 |
| Maryland | $54,840 | $53,920 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $54,020 | $55,560 | 100 | 1 | $54,050 | $54,050 |
| Kentucky | $53,480 | $46,380 | 70 | 1 | $50,150 | $50,150 |
| Colorado | n/a | n/a | 120 | 1 | $53,270 | $53,270 |
| Minnesota | $52,200 | $49,450 | n/a | 1 | $52,830 | $52,830 |
| Florida | $52,090 | $35,610 | 200 | 2 | $53,850 | $37,510 |
| Illinois | $52,010 | $50,060 | 300 | 1 | $53,250 | $53,250 |
| Missouri | $50,590 | $52,920 | 110 | 2 | $55,870 | $47,660 |
| Virginia | $49,850 | $48,090 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $49,370 | $51,160 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Iowa | $47,950 | $44,680 | 110 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $47,740 | $46,140 | 70 | 1 | $49,110 | $49,110 |
| Georgia | $47,730 | $49,200 | n/a | 1 | $49,520 | $49,520 |
| Texas | $46,670 | $41,990 | 200 | 1 | $49,760 | $49,760 |
| Utah | $44,990 | $42,840 | n/a | 1 | $44,450 | $44,450 |
| South Carolina | $44,830 | $42,900 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $43,130 | $35,530 | 140 | 1 | $44,510 | $44,510 |
| Wisconsin | $42,590 | $43,630 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| West Virginia | $41,650 | $36,730 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $41,250 | $40,920 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $67,880 | $59,740 | $32.64 | 970 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,550 | $66,620 | $31.04 | 110 |
| Boston, MA | $61,820 | $57,840 | $29.72 | 170 |
| Washington, DC | $60,980 | $55,360 | $29.32 | 120 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $60,240 | $54,900 | $28.96 | 130 |
| St. Louis, MO | $55,870 | $55,280 | $26.86 | 70 |
| San Francisco, CA | $54,650 | $49,920 | $26.28 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $54,050 | $55,020 | $25.98 | 30 |
| Miami, FL | $53,850 | $52,440 | $25.89 | 40 |
| Denver, CO | $53,270 | $55,320 | $25.61 | 70 |
| Chicago, IL | $53,250 | $51,970 | $25.60 | 260 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $52,830 | $52,250 | $25.40 | n/a |
| Louisville, KY | $50,150 | $44,160 | $24.11 | 40 |
| Dallas, TX | $49,760 | $41,600 | $23.93 | 60 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,650 | $45,740 | $23.87 | 30 |
| Atlanta, GA | $49,520 | $53,020 | $23.81 | n/a |
| Charlotte, NC | $49,110 | $46,040 | $23.61 | 30 |
| Kansas City, MO | $47,660 | $48,370 | $22.91 | 50 |
| Albany, NY | $47,050 | $42,140 | $22.62 | 50 |
| Detroit, MI | $44,510 | $39,040 | $21.40 | 30 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $44,450 | $42,840 | $21.37 | n/a |
| Tampa, FL | $37,510 | $35,240 | $18.03 | 30 |
Related jobs
- Data Entry KeyersU.S. average $43,310
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksU.S. average $52,920
- Office Clerks, GeneralU.S. average $46,420
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All OtherU.S. average $48,670
- Word Processors and TypistsU.S. average $51,120
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceU.S. average $41,650
- Office Machine Operators, Except ComputerU.S. average $43,220
- Statistical AssistantsU.S. average $55,650
Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary: questions
Where do proofreaders and copy markers make the most money?
In New York, NY, with an average of $67,880 a year, among the 22 metro areas we cover.
What is the average proofreaders and copy markers salary in the U.S.?
$54,800 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $51,120, so half of proofreaders and copy markers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should proofreaders and copy markers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of proofreaders and copy markers nationwide earn between $41,170 (25th percentile) and $62,390 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays proofreaders and copy markers the most?
Washington, D.C., with a statewide average of $69,220 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is proofreaders and copy markers pay the lowest?
Tampa, FL, at $37,510 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-9081.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.