CDCareer Decision

Proofreaders and Copy Markers Salary in Washington, DC

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Proofreaders and Copy Markers in Washington, DC have a median annual salary of $55,360, with 120 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $44,130 at the 10th percentile to $85,300 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$55,360

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$26.62

Employment

120

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$44,130
10th
$47,290
25th
$55,360
Median
$68,120
75th
$85,300
90th

Local compared with national

Washington, DC

$55,360

Median annual · 2025

United States

$51,120

Median annual · 2025

The Washington, DC median is 8.3% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $4,240).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.3
  2. 2.WritingImportance 3.6
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.1
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 2.9
  7. 7.Time ManagementImportance 2.8
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 2.5
  9. 9.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.5
  10. 10.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.4
  11. 11.Quality Control AnalysisImportance 2.4
  12. 12.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.3

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Captivate
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe FrameMaker
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InCopy
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • After the Deadline
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple iWork Keynote
  • AutoCrit Editing Wizard
  • Avid Technology Media Composer

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions.
  • Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs.
  • Write original content, such as headlines, cutlines, captions, and cover copy.
  • Typeset and measure dimensions, spacing, and positioning of page elements, such as copy and illustrations, to verify conformance to specifications, using printer's ruler or layout software.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Proofreaders and Copy Markers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Washington, DC