How Much to Charge Per Word for Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final editorial pass most documents receive before publication and distribution. As a proofreader, you must be able to catch the smallest mechanical errors, but are generally not authorized to make larger changes that affect the document's voicing and style. Whether you are beginning your proofreading business or simply revising your pricing, consider a variety of factors before you settle on a per-word rate.

Word Count Determination

Determine how your word-processing program calculates word counts. Some programs will include specialty items such as numerals and hyperlinks in the word count, while others ignore them. Make sure your client knows you will be using your program's word count to set your fee. Also, decide whether you will charge based on the document's original word count or its final word count, because splitting compound or hyphenated words during proofreading can alter the count.

Document Types

Consider whether you will vary your rate according to type of document, or simply have a flat per-word rate. Technical documents may have fewer words per page, but each word may be longer and require a deeper understanding of the topic. A non-technical document of the same length may have more words but take you less time to complete. If you charge different rates based on document types, make this clear to the client before you agree to edit.

Pricing Methods

Decide whether your per-word rate should be based on your personal needs or competitive concerns. To base your pricing on your own needs, determine how much you think you need to make per hour to meet your financial goals, and then divide that by your average word-per-hour proofreading speed to determine your per-word price. To price according to competition, contact other local proofreaders who handle similar document types to find out what they charge. Your area may also have a local writers and editors association that can help you with rates.

Considerations

Price according to your expertise, for which you can charge more. For example, a resume proofreader who was the head of the human resources department of a large firm may be more valuable to a client than a proofreader with prior experience as a grammar teacher, because he can offer insight into the target audience for the document as well as provide language expertise. In addition, experienced proofreaders can charge more than beginners, especially if they have a track record of success and satisfied clients.

Additional Charges

Consider charging for extra services such as document formatting or converting file types. You may receive documents created in a variety of word-processing programs, so extra time may be required to convert them into a format you can use. Alternatively, you could require clients to provide the documents in a certain format to you don't have to make the conversions yourself. Make sure any extra charges are clear to the client before you begin.

Reported Dollar Amounts

As of 2008, the Editorial Freelancers Association reported a standard charge of $25 to $35 per hour for proofreading. Editors surveyed by the Northwest Independent Editors Guild in 2007 reported charging $30 to $45 per hour for corporate or technical proofreading, and $25 per hour for books, articles, nonprofit organizations and individual requests. Consider dividing these rates by your average word-per-hour speed to determine a per-word rate.

References

• The Write Direction: Putting a Price on Your Capabilities
• The HTML Writers Guild: How to Set Rates FAQ
• Editorial Freelancers Association: Editorial Rates
• Northwest Freelance Editors Guild: Rate Survey