Skip to content
Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Printing Technology pathway.

Job zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 43-9081.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found.
  • 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.
  • Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors.
  • Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition.
  • Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting.

What it pays

$41,990
Median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $32,010
Experienced workers reach $65,460
  1. $32k10th
  2. $36k25th
  3. $42kMedian
  4. $57k75th
  5. $65k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $32,010, 25th $36,130, Median $41,990, 75th $57,380, 90th $65,460

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

-1%

U.S. employment change

1,900

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

12,000

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.3
  2. Writing4.0
  3. Speaking3.1
  4. Active Listening3.1
  5. Critical Thinking3.0
  6. Monitoring2.8
  7. Time Management2.5
  8. Active Learning2.4

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less11%
  2. Certificate6%
  3. Some college12%
  4. Associate degree23%
  5. Bachelor's degree47%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. English

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  2. English

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  3. Reading & Writing

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  4. English

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Public Service

  5. English

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  6. English

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Does this fit you?

Six questions rank every career here by how closely its interest profile follows yours.

Check my interests
  1. Editors

    Zone 46 Alamo programs

    $60kSan Antonio median
  2. $58kTexas median
  3. $83kSan Antonio median
  4. Document Management Specialists

    Zone 46 Alamo programs Bright outlook

    $110kSan Antonio median
  5. Writers and Authors

    Zone 410 Alamo programs

    $74kSan Antonio median
  6. Film and Video Editors

    Zone 42 Alamo programs

    $58kSan Antonio median
  7. $40kSan Antonio median