Interpreters
Overview
Introduction
An interpreter translates spoken passages of a foreign language into another specified language. The job is often designated by the language interpreted, such as Spanish or Japanese. In addition, many interpreters specialize according to subject matter. For example, medical interpreters have extensive knowledge of and experience in the health care field, while court or judiciary interpreters speak both a second language and the "language" of law. Interpreters for the deaf, also known as sign l...
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Earnings for interpreters vary depending on experience, skills, number of languages used, and employers. In February 2025, ZipRecruiter indicated that annual salaries for interpreters ranged from $26,000 to $84,000, averaging $66,330. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that interpreters and translators earned median annual salaries of $57,090 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned...
Work Environment
Interpreters work under a wide variety of circumstances and conditions. As a result, most do not have typical nine-to-five schedules.
Conference interpreters probably have the most comfortable physical facilities in which to work. Their glass-enclosed booths are well lit and temperature controlled. Court or judiciary interpreters work in courtrooms or conference rooms, while interpreters...
Outlook
Employment opportunities for interpreters and translators are expected to grow much by 2 percent, slower than the average, through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). There will still be need for interpreters and translators, however, due to the increase in globalization and increasing diversity of the U.S. population. There will be continual need for military and national se...
