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What´s the best rate for Proofreading?
Thread poster: Valeria_2323 (X)
Valeria_2323 (X)
Valeria_2323 (X)
Argentina
Local time: 16:12
English to Spanish
May 26, 2009

Hi!
I am an English>Spanish translator from Argentina and I have been working for around 4 years. I am taking a course in proofreading (Spanish). Today I was asked my rate per hour for proofreading Spanish texts. The thing is that I never charged per hour, so I am not sure which the best rate would be. Is it ok to charge USD 10 per hour to a standard translation agency in Europe/USA?

Anyway I do not think that a translation/proofreading could be "rated" per hour. It should alw... See more
Hi!
I am an English>Spanish translator from Argentina and I have been working for around 4 years. I am taking a course in proofreading (Spanish). Today I was asked my rate per hour for proofreading Spanish texts. The thing is that I never charged per hour, so I am not sure which the best rate would be. Is it ok to charge USD 10 per hour to a standard translation agency in Europe/USA?

Anyway I do not think that a translation/proofreading could be "rated" per hour. It should always be rated per word!

Thanks in advance =)


[Edited at 2009-05-26 14:10 GMT]

[Edited at 2009-05-26 14:29 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
Jan Willem van Dormolen (X)
Jan Willem van Dormolen (X)  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 21:12
English to Dutch
+ ...
Sorry, but... May 26, 2009

USD 10 per hour will be very, very OK with the agency - it's ridiculously low. I charge 35 USD for proofreading, and that is not the highest rate around.
You should always charge by the hour for proofreading, as there's no telling how much work it will be. Sometimes a short text of less than 1000 words can take thrice as long as a longer one of 3000 words, if the former is a bad translation and the latter a good one.
There really is NO relationship between word count and work amount ... See more
USD 10 per hour will be very, very OK with the agency - it's ridiculously low. I charge 35 USD for proofreading, and that is not the highest rate around.
You should always charge by the hour for proofreading, as there's no telling how much work it will be. Sometimes a short text of less than 1000 words can take thrice as long as a longer one of 3000 words, if the former is a bad translation and the latter a good one.
There really is NO relationship between word count and work amount for proofreading. ▲ Collapse
 
Alexander Onishko
Alexander Onishko  Identity Verified
Russian to English
+ ...
It appears to me... May 26, 2009

It appears to me that 10 USD per hour is the hourly wage, which a waitress gets in the United States.

In my opinion a language specialist should be paid somewhat more than a waitress...

And remember - waitress has tips in addition to the hourly rate!

Hope this helps
 
Laureana Pavon
Laureana Pavon  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 16:12
Member (2007)
English to Spanish
+ ...

MODERATOR
Please don't do it May 26, 2009

Dear Valeria,
Please don't offer to work for USD 10.00 / hour!!
This won't even help you get the job... it's so incredibly, ridiculously low that the agency will think you are completely out of touch with the profession and don't know what you're doing.
As Jan says, if you are indeed a professional with several years of experience, you should consider asking for USD 30-40 / hour.
I sincerely hope you reconsider your offer.
 
Walter Landesman
Walter Landesman  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 16:12
English to Spanish
+ ...
All of the above May 26, 2009

Agree with all the above comments. USD 10/hour is outrageous.

You should also be sure the job is proofing and not editing. You may charge by the hour on an edition job, but a proofing job can also be charged on a word count basis.

This topic has been dealt with several times. It also has its proper forum. Just take some time and browse around. You might find the answers to most of your questions. And you may come back afterwards if you have not.

Hints: ... See more
Agree with all the above comments. USD 10/hour is outrageous.

You should also be sure the job is proofing and not editing. You may charge by the hour on an edition job, but a proofing job can also be charged on a word count basis.

This topic has been dealt with several times. It also has its proper forum. Just take some time and browse around. You might find the answers to most of your questions. And you may come back afterwards if you have not.

Hints:
Check the Proofreading / Editing / Reviewing Forum http://www.proz.com/forum/proofreading_editing_reviewing-418.html and the Spanish forum about related topics. ▲ Collapse
 
Valeria_2323 (X)
Valeria_2323 (X)
Argentina
Local time: 16:12
English to Spanish
TOPIC STARTER
Thanks! May 26, 2009

Thank you so much for your replies Jan, Walter, Laureana, and Alexander. Now I realize I would be making a big mistake by charging only 10 dollars/hour.

I am happy we can talk about these topics with freedom and get advice from experienced people on this site.


[Edited at 2009-05-26 22:44 GMT]
 
Penelope Ausejo
Penelope Ausejo  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 21:12
English to Spanish
+ ...
40 €/hour May 27, 2009

I charge 40 EUR/hour. 10 USD is very little, at least here. Maids in my city charge 12 EUR/hour and many of them don't even know how to clean or communicate with the employer.
 


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