Interpreters and Translators earn $60,170 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $46,530 and $80,830. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Also known as:
Interpreters and Translators earn $60,170 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,530 and $80,830. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Near the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Interpreters and Translators roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +1.7% employment change for Interpreters and Translators through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 6,900 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Interpreters and Translators professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $60,170 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 6,710 | $73,510 | +22.2% |
| 2 | Texas | 5,820 | $45,610 | -24.2% |
| 3 | Florida | 4,500 | $46,320 | -23.0% |
| 4 | New York | 3,650 | $84,650 | +40.7% |
| 5 | Virginia | 2,610 | $74,250 | +23.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Interpreters and Translators positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 10 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Special Education | 34,843 | $50,499 | 1,010 |
| 2 | Romance Languages | 13,043 | $55,000 | 1,009 |
| 3 | Ethnic Studies | 9,022 | $51,710 | 681 |
| 4 | Linguistics | 7,681 | $49,984 | 526 |
| 5 | American Sign Language | 2,341 | $45,044 | 216 |
| 6 | East Asian Languages | 2,056 | $51,642 | 205 |
| 7 | Classics and Classical Languages | 1,484 | $49,429 | 272 |
| 8 | Germanic Languages | 1,098 | $55,459 | 348 |
| 9 | Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages | 549 | $67,612 | 108 |
| 10 | Slavic Languages | 536 | $62,169 | 143 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD | 97 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
Once you've sized up Interpreters and Translators, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Interpreters and Translators pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Interpreters and Translators shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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