Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

The occupation of "Proofreaders and Copy Markers" faces a high automation risk of 74.3%, which is very close to the base risk of 75.0%. This elevated risk largely stems from the repetitive and rule-based nature of key tasks performed in this role. For instance, the most automatable duties include marking copy to indicate and correct errors in type, arrangement, grammar, punctuation, or spelling using standard printers' marks; reading corrected copies or proofs to ensure all corrections have been made; and correcting or recording omissions, errors, or inconsistencies found. These tasks are highly standardized and can be efficiently executed by modern artificial intelligence tools and software, which can scan vast amounts of text, identify errors, and implement changes much faster and more consistently than humans. Despite the high risk of automation, there are still aspects of the proofreader’s role that are more resistant to being fully replaced by machines. The top three most resistant tasks involve reading proof sheets aloud and calling out punctuation marks or spelling unusual words and proper names, typesetting and measuring page elements for proper dimensions and positioning, and writing original content such as headlines, captions, and cover copy. These activities demand a level of contextual understanding, creativity, and nuanced judgment that current AI systems struggle to replicate. Verbal skills, attention to layout details, and original content creation all introduce significant complexity that software alone cannot easily master. The primary bottleneck skill that offers resistance to automation in this field is originality, with skill levels noted at 1.9% and 1.6%. Originality is crucial when crafting compelling headlines, captions, or resolving ambiguous language use—tasks that require more than just rule-following. However, these low percentages indicate that the majority of work done by proofreaders and copy markers does not hinge on originality, which contributes to the occupation’s overall high susceptibility to automation. As technology continues to evolve, professionals in this field may need to pivot toward tasks emphasizing creative input and higher-level editorial decisions to remain relevant in a rapidly automating landscape.