How To Become A Cryptologic Linguist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a cryptologic linguist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

One of the keys responsibilities of a cryptologic linguist is communication by breaking down or simplifying complex ideas. A cryptologic linguist is required to identify foreign communication using signal equipment. As such, they are usually important for the national defense that depends largely on the information that comes from foreign languages.

For this role, you are expected to provide translation expertise to analysts. You must also be able to give expert tips to appropriate authorities and recognize changes in transmission mode. Part of your jurisdiction is to providing transcriptions and translations from foreign languages. As expected, cryptologic linguists work majorly in the military sector.

A good cryptologic linguist must be able to identify foreign communication from an assigned geological area. He/She must also enjoy reading and writing. Plus, good people-oriented skills, a great interest and passion in communication, speech, and foreign languages are equally essential. The average yearly salary of a cryptologic linguist is $52,432. The most common educational qualification employers ask for is a bachelor's degree.

ScoreCryptologic LinguistUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,225

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate 20%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 11.66%

Black or African American 6.89%

Hispanic or Latino 22.10%

Unknown 4.53%

White 54.58%

Gender

female 28.44%

male 71.56%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a cryptologic linguist

Explore cryptologic linguist education requirements

Most common cryptologic linguist degrees

Bachelor's

53.7 %

Associate

29.7 %

Master's

6.0 %

Start to develop specific cryptologic linguist skills

Skills	Percentages
TIP	50.36%
Government Agencies	14.96%
National Security	9.53%
Signals Intelligence	7.71%
Language Training	5.95%

Complete relevant cryptologic linguist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New cryptologic linguists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a cryptologic linguist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real cryptologic linguist resumes.

Research cryptologic linguist duties and responsibilities

Achieve highest score as a non-native Russian language communicator; hold TS/SCI security clearance.
Provide written and verbal translation services (Farsi) to achieve assign USAF mission goals.
Develop data visualization dashboard and write SQL scripts to track vendor metrics.
Support military personnel in the development of the Korean language as well as their overall score on the DLPT.

Prepare your cryptologic linguist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your cryptologic linguist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a cryptologic linguist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable cryptologic linguist resume templates

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