Proofreaders and copy markers
SOC Code: 43-9081
Proofreaders and copy markers carries a 56% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $49,210 and -0.6% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 12,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 56% AI exposure, Proofreaders and copy markers sits 19 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 92% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Career outlook score
24/100
Proofreaders and copy markers, weighted across 3 of 3 tracked dimensions
A weighted composite of median wage, projected growth, and AI-automation security (inverted exposure), each benchmarked against every other tracked occupation. It describes this occupation's standing across those three dimensions, not a guarantee of future outcomes.
- Median wage F $49,210
Annual median wage, percentile rank vs all tracked occupations
- Projected growth F -0.6%
Projected employment change, 2024-2034, BLS Employment Projections
- AI exposure (inverted) F 56% exposure
Lower O*NET task-automability scores lower risk; this dimension scores security, not exposure
Home health and personal care aides is #1 of 832 occupations by employment (4.3M, AI exposure rank #392 at 35%) vs. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks #1 by AI task exposure (95%, employment rank #17 at 1.6M).
Automation-risk inventory
Exclusive cut of 832 occupations by PlainWorkforce automation-risk band. Orthogonal to the continuous AI-exposure distribution chart below and to this occupation's single risk badge, this is the corpus band mix, with Proofreaders and copy markers in the High band.
Credential × growth standing
Bachelor's band with mid-pack BLS pace
Proofreaders and copy markers shares the Bachelor's gate with 178 peer occupations and lands in Slow growth (245 of 832). Neither the rarest nor the most crowded growth shelf - use wage and AI desks on this page for the differentiator.
Where Proofreaders and copy markers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Where Proofreaders and copy markers sits by AI exposure
AI-exposure score distribution across U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis)
56% Higher than most higher than 92% of 832 occupations
Occupations, banded by AI-exposure score
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor) · BLS 2024–2034
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Proofreaders and copy markers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Proofreaders and copy markers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Where This Score Comes From
Proofreaders and copy markers's High automation-risk tier is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each documented task the occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The employment, wage, and education figures above come from a second, separate federal source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034, matched to the O*NET task data by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 43-9081) code, with the wage figure cross-validated against the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 survey. BLS figures are presented exactly as published, with no adjustment on our part; the SOC-code match is what lets Proofreaders and copy markers be compared directly against every other tracked occupation on the same basis, not just roles that happen to share a job title.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Proofreaders and copy markers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Mark copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, using standard printers' marks.
- 2. Read corrected copies or proofs to ensure that all corrections have been made.
- 3. Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found.
- 4. Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors.
- 5. Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting.
- 6. Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition.
- 7. 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.
- 8. Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions.
- 9. Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs.
- 10. Write original content, such as headlines, cutlines, captions, and cover copy.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Mathematics
- Philosophy and Theology
- Education and Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Proofreaders and copy markers?
Proofreaders and copy markers has an AI exposure score of 56%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Proofreaders and copy markers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Proofreaders and copy markers is projected to decline by 0.6% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 12,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Proofreaders and copy markers?
Key skills for Proofreaders and copy markers include Reading Comprehension, Writing, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Proofreaders and copy markers earn?
The median annual wage for Proofreaders and copy markers is $49,210, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Proofreaders and copy markers?
The typical entry-level education for Proofreaders and copy markers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Proofreaders and copy markers?
Proofreaders and copy markers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Nationwide occupations with similar workforce profiles
Two data-derived peer sets for Proofreaders and copy markers: AI-exposure neighbors and BLS 2034 growth neighbors (distinct comparison neighborhoods, cross-occupation).
Similar AI exposure score
Nearest O*NET task-automability scores nationwide (56% here).
- Air traffic controllers · AI exposure 56%
- Credit analysts · AI exposure 56%
- Customer service representatives · AI exposure 56%
- Legal secretaries and administrative assistants · AI exposure 56%
Similar projected growth (2024–2034)
Nearest BLS employment change rates nationwide (-0.6% here).
- Gambling dealers · growth -0.6%
- Gambling service workers, all other · growth -0.6%
- Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood · growth -0.6%
- Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers · growth -0.7%
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on published BLS + O*NET metrics among occupations with ≥10,000 workers in 2024; corpus ranks above sort the full tracked set.
Related Occupations
Showing 6 of 24 occupations with a comparable automation-risk profile.
What to do with this
Use Proofreaders and copy markers' numbers above to compare, not just read in isolation.
- Compare Proofreaders and copy markers side by side against another occupation on wage, growth, and AI exposure. Workforce comparison tool
- Understand how the AI exposure score above is actually calculated before treating it as a verdict. Reading AI exposure scores
- See the full ranked list of occupations with the lowest automation exposure nationwide. Safest occupations from AI
AI exposure scores estimate task automatability from O*NET data; they are not a certainty of job loss, and BLS growth projections are estimates, not guarantees.
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).