Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
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Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Interpreters and Translators pay by experience level
Entry level$38,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$48,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$62,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$83,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$107,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.7%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
6,900
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Interpreters and Translators salary by industry
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
21,620 workers
$71,000
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
20,260 workers
$70,500
Educational Services
11,030 workers
$70,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
8,890 workers
$65,000
Elementary and Secondary Schools
8,260 workers
$63,000
Hospitals
5,020 workers
$68,500
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
4,720 workers
$68,500
Hospitals, Privately Owned
3,810 workers
$70,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
3,770 workers
$79,000
Ambulatory Health Care Services
2,970 workers
$53,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
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