Interpreter and Translator Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Interpreters and Translators in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $50,070 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,368 take-home, or $3,447 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median interpreter and translator salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,828
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,104
- Medicare (1.45%)$726
- Arizona income tax$1,043
- Take-home pay$41,368
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Interpreter and Translator pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,280 | $15.52 | $27,519 | $2,293 |
| 25th percentile | $37,980 | $18.26 | $31,956 | $2,663 |
| Median (50th) | $50,070 | $24.07 | $41,368 | $3,447 |
| 75th percentile | $61,470 | $29.55 | $50,243 | $4,187 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,000 | $49.04 | $78,246 | $6,520 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,070 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median interpreter and translator's $41,368 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,041 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 2.2× 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
Phoenix, AZ ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Phoenix, AZ | $50,070 | $41,368 | $40,041 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interpreter and translator make in Phoenix, AZ?
The median interpreter and translator salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $50,070 a year, or about $24.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,980 and $61,470.
What is a interpreter and translator’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $50,070 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $41,368 a year ($3,447 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,043 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a interpreter and translator?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $60,170. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,041 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #27 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a interpreter and translator afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median interpreter and translator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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