Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary in California
Proofreaders and Copy Markers in California earn a median of $57,490 a year ($27.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,500 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $51,120. California ranks 3rd of 26 states for proofreaders and copy markers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 proofreaders and copy markers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $59,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for proofreaders and copy markers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 25th percentile | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Median | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| 75th percentile | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,500 | $39.19 |
| Average (mean) | $59,630 | $28.67 |
Half of proofreaders and copy markers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,790.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,395.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,211.15 |
| Weekly | $1,105.58 |
| Hourly | $27.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $66,620 | 110 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $49,920 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for proofreaders and copy markers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,120 |
| New York | $59,740 |
| California | $57,490 |
| Massachusetts | $57,160 |
| New Jersey | $56,700 |
| Ohio | $55,560 |
| Maryland | $53,920 |
| Washington | $53,890 |
| Missouri | $52,920 |
| Kansas | $51,160 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $54,020 | $25.97 |
| Data Entry Keyer | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Word Processors and Typists | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Desktop Publisher | $71,930 | $34.58 |
| Statistical Assistant | $82,580 | $39.70 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $55,400 | $26.64 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $54,490 | $26.20 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-9081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a proofreaders and copy markers make in California?
The median salary for proofreaders and copy markers in California is $57,490 a year, or $27.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid proofreaders and copy markers make in California?
The top 10% of proofreaders and copy markers in California earn at least $81,500 a year. The top 25% earn $73,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for proofreaders and copy markers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,320 a year, and a quarter of proofreaders and copy markers earn $45,400 or less.
How many proofreaders and copy markers work in California?
About 300 proofreaders and copy markers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.