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What You Need to Know About Interpreter or Translator

Example of Interpreter or Translator Job Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

What Do Interpreters and Translators Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.
  • Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language.
  • Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
  • Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.
  • Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.
  • Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.

Interpreter or Translator Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Interpreters and Translators say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Other Interpreter or Translator Job Titles

  • Interpreter-Bosnia-English and Albanian-English
  • Interpreter for the Deaf
  • Medical Interpreter
  • Freelance Translator
  • Braille Transcriber/Tactile Graphics Specialist

Interpreter or Translator Job Outlook

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 68,200 jobs in the United States for Interpreter or Translator. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,100 new jobs for Interpreter or Translator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,800 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Interpreter or Translator are Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Montana, or Delaware. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does an Interpreter or Translator Make?

The average yearly salary of an Interpreter or Translator ranges between $27,230 and $90,610.

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Interpreters and Translators who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.

How much do Interpreters and Translators make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $40,510
Alaska $52,990
Arizona $46,100
Arkansas $34,260
California $58,180
Colorado $70,050
Connecticut $47,560
Delaware $53,860
District of Columbia $93,730
Florida $49,300
Georgia $55,670
Hawaii $45,580
Idaho $37,650
Illinois $46,320
Indiana $41,700
Iowa $37,840
Kansas $40,190
Kentucky $49,690
Louisiana $40,440
Maine $63,210
Maryland $70,530
Massachusetts $55,600
Michigan $41,450
Minnesota $52,730
Mississippi $52,110
Missouri $62,610
Montana $37,910
Nebraska $43,760
Nevada $52,150
New Hampshire $49,970
New Jersey $74,750
New Mexico $58,700
New York $68,940
North Carolina $59,310
North Dakota $35,250
Ohio $58,380
Oklahoma $35,240
Oregon $50,090
Pennsylvania $50,100
Rhode Island $50,380
South Carolina $44,950
South Dakota $37,650
Tennessee $43,550
Texas $58,650
Utah $43,830
Vermont $46,270
Virginia $70,770
Washington $48,560
West Virginia $38,590
Wisconsin $50,750
Wyoming $48,750

What Tools do Interpreters and Translators Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Interpreters and Translators:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system software

How do I Become an Interpreter or Translator?

What education or degrees do I need to become an Interpreter or Translator?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Interpreters and Translators Work

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

Image Credit: Susana Freixeiro via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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