Interpreter and Translator Salary in Houston, TX
Interpreters and Translators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $44,490 a year — 26% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,928 take-home, or $3,161 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median interpreter and translator salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,159
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,758
- Medicare (1.45%)$645
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,928
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Interpreter and Translator pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,750 | $16.71 | $30,102 | $2,508 |
| 25th percentile | $36,480 | $17.54 | $31,492 | $2,624 |
| Median (50th) | $44,490 | $21.39 | $37,928 | $3,161 |
| 75th percentile | $59,940 | $28.82 | $50,342 | $4,195 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,380 | $37.20 | $63,267 | $5,272 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,490 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median interpreter and translator's $37,928 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,455 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Houston, TX has 2.3× the national concentration of interpreter and translator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for interpreters and translators, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #28 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $94,510 | $70,253 | $64,521 |
| 2 | Rochester, NY | $77,770 | $59,939 | $61,770 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $87,590 | $66,317 | $58,915 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $74,850 | $58,902 | $55,682 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $83,680 | $63,058 | $54,543 |
| 6 | Riverside, CA | $74,310 | $57,408 | $53,934 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $62,900 | $52,720 | $53,760 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $64,700 | $52,101 | $53,747 |
| 28 | Houston, TX | $44,490 | $37,928 | $38,455 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Interpreter and Translator salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Austin, TX — $62,900
- Dallas, TX — $56,920
- El Paso, TX — $43,870
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interpreter and translator make in Houston, TX?
The median interpreter and translator salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $44,490 a year, or about $21.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,480 and $59,940.
What is a interpreter and translator’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $44,490 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $37,928 a year ($3,161 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a interpreter and translator?
Pay here is 26% below the national median of $60,170. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,455 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #28 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a interpreter and translator afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median interpreter and translator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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