Interpreter and Translator Salary
Interpreters and Translators earn a median $60,170 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
U.S. median
$60,170
$28.93 per hour
Range
$37,070 – $103,660
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
52,060
across the U.S.
▲1.2%
Pay trend: The median for interpreters and translators in the U.S. rose from $59,440 (May 2024) to $60,170 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 1.2%.
What interpreters and translators do
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 6,000
- Self-employed
- 28%
Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow 2.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Interpreter and Translator take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$50,527
per year · effective tax rate 16.0%
$4,211Monthly
$2,105Twice a month
$1,943Every 2 weeks
$24.29Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,040
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,731
- Medicare (1.45%)$872
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,527
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,070 | $17.82 | $31,966 |
| 25th percentile | $46,530 | $22.37 | $39,567 |
| Median (50th) | $60,170 | $28.93 | $50,527 |
| 75th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 | $65,694 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,660 | $49.84 | $81,755 |
Best cities for interpreters and translators (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $87,590 | $66,317 | $58,915 | 2,520 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $44,490 | $37,928 | $38,455 | 2,530 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $87,590
- Houston, TX — $44,490
Interpreter and Translator salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109,970 | +35.5% | $79,815 | $58,720 – $128,610 | 280 |
| Maryland | $88,550 | +13.0% | $67,282 | $51,660 – $120,900 | 1,150 |
| New York | $84,090 | −0.7% | $64,043 | $48,930 – $127,350 | 3,240 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 | — | $64,272 | $51,450 – $134,270 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | +11.1% | $56,592 | $49,650 – $131,900 | 2,280 |
| Colorado | $71,790 | +7.8% | $56,884 | $51,230 – $105,180 | 800 |
| California | $70,770 | −3.7% | $55,247 | $49,530 – $119,810 | 5,560 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 | +18.4% | $54,723 | $40,840 – $128,760 | 280 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 | +4.7% | $52,548 | $52,290 – $91,150 | 1,030 |
| Oregon | $66,300 | +7.8% | $50,480 | $47,090 – $95,770 | 660 |
| Idaho | $66,130 | +17.4% | $52,919 | $42,740 – $101,500 | 300 |
| Utah | $65,770 | −0.3% | $53,033 | $46,140 – $86,360 | 850 |
| New Mexico | $63,550 | +7.7% | $51,421 | $31,120 – $99,860 | 360 |
| Maine | $63,470 | +15.6% | $50,076 | $50,450 – $99,050 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $63,390 | +3.9% | $51,106 | $40,390 – $88,460 | 1,410 |
| Virginia | $63,030 | −15.1% | $50,014 | $43,160 – $123,490 | 1,630 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | +3.7% | $50,697 | $48,050 – $113,460 | 80 |
| Washington | $61,750 | −11.3% | $51,796 | $44,640 – $105,710 | 1,250 |
| Ohio | $61,230 | +5.8% | $50,477 | $39,300 – $91,920 | 2,030 |
| New Jersey | $58,970 | +30.7% | $47,852 | $33,170 – $176,910 | 870 |
| Georgia | $57,880 | −6.1% | $46,305 | $35,370 – $98,980 | 1,600 |
| Mississippi | $57,130 | +31.6% | $46,531 | $33,020 – $83,740 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,040 | +16.4% | $46,261 | $38,580 – $104,120 | 1,420 |
| Missouri | $57,010 | +9.5% | $46,245 | $39,790 – $94,320 | 440 |
| New Hampshire | $56,370 | +3.1% | $47,473 | $47,610 – $61,900 | 240 |
| Illinois | $55,290 | +2.6% | $44,013 | $37,990 – $82,370 | 1,510 |
| Kentucky | $53,590 | −0.4% | $43,482 | $35,160 – $81,800 | 480 |
| South Dakota | $53,140 | +7.1% | $44,878 | $36,730 – $75,320 | 230 |
| Nebraska | $53,050 | +8.1% | $43,271 | $41,860 – $87,480 | 570 |
| Arkansas | $52,490 | +3.2% | $42,521 | $32,170 – $80,770 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $51,080 | +3.7% | $43,223 | $32,280 – $78,480 | 710 |
| South Carolina | $50,860 | +8.1% | $41,152 | $36,860 – $75,310 | 520 |
| Nevada | $50,370 | +5.2% | $42,652 | $37,470 – $70,160 | 320 |
| Arizona | $50,150 | +4.0% | $41,431 | $32,280 – $99,070 | 2,070 |
| North Carolina | $50,030 | −1.6% | $40,892 | $34,510 – $101,110 | 1,780 |
| Oklahoma | $48,980 | +5.0% | $39,877 | $27,790 – $82,750 | 320 |
| Florida | $48,930 | +5.6% | $41,495 | $34,290 – $99,590 | 4,200 |
| Louisiana | $48,420 | +7.5% | $40,019 | $29,910 – $79,040 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $48,190 | +4.4% | $40,901 | $39,650 – $73,030 | 130 |
| Iowa | $48,150 | −3.9% | $39,691 | $34,330 – $67,290 | 560 |
| Indiana | $48,140 | +1.4% | $39,470 | $41,460 – $80,810 | 1,170 |
| Kansas | $47,950 | +0.3% | $38,832 | $32,850 – $88,830 | 470 |
| Montana | $47,850 | +3.5% | $39,135 | $38,520 – $60,940 | 60 |
| Texas | $47,510 | +4.2% | $40,354 | $31,500 – $89,140 | 6,780 |
| Alabama | $46,130 | +0.8% | $37,204 | $33,050 – $98,660 | 310 |
| Michigan | $45,310 | −13.3% | $36,912 | $35,990 – $88,630 | 940 |
| Hawaii | $42,270 | −11.2% | $34,416 | $36,910 – $92,150 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $72,420 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -0.1% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $73,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,200 | Bachelor's degree | -5.9% |
| Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey | $47,340 | Bachelor's degree | -7.6% |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Editor | $77,920 | Bachelor's degree | -1.1% |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 | Bachelor's degree | +0.8% |
| Broadcast Technician | $59,570 | Associate's degree | -3.1% |
| Audio and Video Technician | $58,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interpreter and translator make?
The national median salary for interpreters and translators is $60,170 a year ($28.93 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,070 and the top 10% earn over $103,660. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays interpreters and translators the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $109,970. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many interpreters and translators are there in the U.S.?
About 52,060 people work as interpreters and translators nationwide.