Image that illustrates Proofreader, newspaper

Proofreader, newspaper

44 800 kr

Journalists etc.

43 900 - 51 000 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Proofreader, newspaper

Average salary 44 800 kr
Males 45 200 kr
Females 44 400 kr

What does a proofreader in the newspaper industry do? – Tasks and work environment

A proofreader in the newspaper industry is responsible for reviewing and correcting texts before publication. Tasks include meticulous language proofreading, fixing spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors, as well as verifying factual information and names. The proofreader works closely with journalists, editors, and other staff to ensure the publication maintains high linguistic and stylistic quality. The work is often performed in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, typically within an editorial setting where accuracy and efficiency are crucial.

Salary development over time

The profession of newspaper proofreader has seen varied salary developments in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 43,000 SEK per month. In 2023, the average salary decreased slightly to 42 500 SEK but recovered strongly to 44 800 SEK in 2024. This represents a total increase of approximately 4.2% between 2023 and 2024, after a slight decline the previous year. Salary changes can be explained by factors such as demand for qualified language editors, changes within the media industry, and collective bargaining negotiations. The increase over the past year suggests that the profession's value has strengthened, likely due to increased awareness of quality assurance in journalistic processes.

Proofreader, newspaper salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 44 800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 43,900 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,000 SEK/month (male, public sector, post-secondary education 3+ years)
  • Highest salary, woman: 48,500 SEK/month
  • Hourly rate: 269 SEK
  • Gender pay gap: Women earn 98% of what men do (women: 44 400 SEK, men: 45 200 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a proofreader in the newspaper industry, a post-secondary education in language, journalism, or communication is usually required. Employers value a combination of linguistic proficiency, editorial experience, and the ability to work under pressure. Both formal degrees and practical experience are important, and many supplement their education with specialized courses in proofreading or text review.

  • Education: Post-secondary education in language, journalism, or communication (2–4 years)
  • Certifications: Courses in proofreading or language editing
  • Internships: Editorial internships or trainee programs are recommended
  • Prerequisites: Very good knowledge of Swedish language and grammar
  • Self-study: Opportunities to deepen knowledge through online courses and self-study

Proofreaders with specialist competence in areas such as law or medicine are particularly sought after, as these texts require extra accuracy and domain knowledge. Developing expertise in a specific field can therefore open more doors and lead to more interesting assignments.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Common benefits for proofreaders in the newspaper industry include wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work options, and skill development opportunities. Additionally, collective agreement-based insurances and pension contributions are often offered, along with access to modern equipment and tools that facilitate daily work.

Competition and challenges

The competition for proofreading positions in the newspaper industry is intense, as the number of permanent jobs is limited and many seek freelance work. Digitalization and automated proofreading tools have changed the profession's conditions, requiring proofreaders to continuously develop their skills and stay updated on new methods. The ability to handle tight deadlines and work efficiently under pressure is crucial, while maintaining the quality of language review. An additional challenge is adapting to various editorial styles and digital publishing systems. The role demands both adaptability and high linguistic competence.

Tips for aspiring newspaper proofreaders

To succeed as a proofreader in the newspaper industry, it is beneficial to be detail-oriented and genuinely interested in language nuances, which makes it easier to spot even minor errors. Developing good collaboration skills facilitates cooperation with journalists and editors and contributes to a smooth workflow. A structured work approach is important for managing large texts and tight deadlines, while stress resistance helps during busy production periods. Actively seeking internships or trainee positions provides valuable experience and increases employment chances. Continuing education in language and proofreading further strengthens competitiveness. Finally, curiosity and openness to new digital tools are advantageous, as the industry evolves rapidly and requires constant development.

Key facts about a newspaper proofreader

  • Education level: Post-secondary education (2–4 years)
  • Work environment: Editorial environment with high pace
  • Typical employment: Permanent or freelance
  • Demand: 620 job openings within the profession
  • Gender distribution: Women earn 98% of men's salaries

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a proofreader in the newspaper industry, opportunities exist to advance to roles such as editor, language manager, or project leader for larger publishing projects. Some choose to specialize in areas like medical or legal proofreading, which can lead to more qualified and higher-paid assignments. According to the Employment Service, no specific forecast exists for the proofreader profession, but within the journalism group, there are approximately 620 job openings, indicating some demand. Technological developments and digitalization mean the role may change, but the need for qualified language review remains important to ensure quality in published texts.

Common questions about a newspaper proofreader

  • What does a newspaper proofreader earn?
    - The average salary is 44 800 SEK per month, with an hourly rate of 269 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a proofreader in a newspaper?
    - Usually, post-secondary education in language, journalism, or communication is required.
  • What are the gender differences in salaries for proofreaders?
    - Women earn 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • Are there good future prospects for proofreaders?
    - Prognoses are unavailable, but there are 620 job openings within the journalism profession.
  • What personal qualities are important for a proofreader?
    - Attention to detail, stress resistance, and good language sense are essential.
  • What is the highest and lowest salary for a newspaper proofreader?
    - The highest salary is 51,000 SEK and the lowest is 43,900 SEK per month.
  • What benefits are common for proofreaders?
    - Wellness allowances, flexible working hours, remote work, and collective agreement benefits.

Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Proofreader, newspaper is 51000 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Public sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 48500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Proofreader, newspaper is 43900 kr. Both men and women in this profession have the same lowest salary and work in the Multiple sectors.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
18-24 31500 kr 34000 kr
25-34 96% 38400 kr 40100 kr
35-44 102% 45400 kr 46500 kr
45-54 104% 45600 kr 46400 kr
55-64 97% 47400 kr 48600 kr
Snitt 98% 43500 kr 44800 kr
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Proofreader, newspaper has the SSYK code 2642, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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