Proofreaders and Copy Markers
Machines can already do 59% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 86%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Proofreaders and Copy Markers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 59% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 18% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 86% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 4,580 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $51,120 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 67% for contact with people.
- Also called: Copy Editor, Copyholder, Editorial Assistant, News Copy Editor.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling, using standard printers' marks | 32% | 77% to 97% | |
| Correct or record omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found | 16% | 50% to 85% | |
| Read corrected copies or proofs to ensure that all corrections have been made | 13% | 50% to 85% | |
| Compare information or figures on one record against same data on other records, or with original copy, to detect errors | 13% | 70% to 95% | |
| Route proofs with marked corrections to authors, editors, typists, or typesetters for correction or reprinting | 5% | 10% to 30% | |
| Consult reference books or secure aid of readers to check references with rules of grammar and composition | 5% | 55% to 85% | |
| Archive documents, conduct research, and read copy, using the internet and various computer programs | 5% | 60% to 88% | |
| Consult with authors and editors regarding manuscript changes and suggestions | 4% | 30% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills proofreaders and copy markers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Proofreaders and Copy Markers?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of proofreaders and copy markers?
Machines can do 59% of the tasks of proofreaders and copy markers today and 86% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-9081.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Proofreaders and Copy Markers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/proofreaders-and-copy-markers/