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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30856
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/30856
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Here is the data from the USA Bureau of Labor Statistics for the wages of a [Proofreader](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes439081.htm), the median wage is $19.06 per hour. Their job description is:

> Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors.

For an [Editor,](https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes273041.htm) the average wage is $31.77 per hour. Job description:

> Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.

Finally, here is a link that supports the industry rule of thumb in editing, that professionals can edit [Six pages per hour.](https://aceseditors.org/news/2014/how-fast-can-you-edit-everybody-say-6-pages-per-hour)

I would bet proofreading is twice that rate. Put these figures together, and the COST of their proofreading is about $1.60 per page, and the COST of full professional editor work is about $5.30 per page.

How much profit they should earn beyond pay is a matter of opinion, but I generally think for a business owner you should about double the price of the salary. $3.20 per page for good professional proofreading, and $10.60 for good professional editing. I would not stray far from that.

Also, I would ask them if you can pay for perhaps the first 20 pages, unconditionally, in order to see the value of what you are buying. Before you drop $1280 or $4240 on it.

Original score: 3