How to hire a cryptologic linguist

How to hire a cryptologic linguist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cryptologic linguist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a cryptologic linguist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cryptologic linguist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your cryptologic linguist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a cryptologic linguist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A cryptologic linguist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, cryptologic linguists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of cryptologic linguists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Cryptologic Linguist	Description	Hourly rate
   Cryptologic Linguist	Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language; translators work in written language.	$12-32
   Educational Interpreter	An educational interpreter specializes in providing communication assistance to students with hearing problems or difficulty in understanding the language. It is their duty to develop strategies to convey lessons through various materials and efforts, interpret messages from the speaker and receiver, and monitoring the student's progress... Show more	$12-29
   Freelance Translator	A freelance translator is an independent contractor specializing in translating audio or written materials into a particular language. They primarily communicate with clients to identify their needs and preferences, including project specifications such as deadlines and format... Show more	$12-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • TIP
   • Government Agencies
   • National Security
   • Signals Intelligence
   • Language Training
   • Signals Equipment
   • Foreign Communications
   • Transcription
   • TS/SCI
   • SIGINT
   • Intelligence Community
   • Mandarin
   • Combat
   • Language Proficiency Test

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Research and development on distributional semantics, multi-word expression, NLP systems design and implementation, machine learning, and more.
   • Create modules for medication NER, including ontology creation using RxNorm web services and baseline comparison using the NCBO annotator API.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cryptologic linguist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A cryptologic linguist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, cryptologic linguists' average salary in delaware is 59% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level cryptologic linguists earn 60% less than senior-level cryptologic linguists.
   • Certifications. A cryptologic linguist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a cryptologic linguist's salary.

   Average cryptologic linguist salary

   $43,225yearly

   $20.78 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level cryptologic linguist salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a cryptologic linguist job description

   A cryptologic linguist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a cryptologic linguist job description:

   Cryptologic linguist job description example

   Our national security relies on information gathered from foreign language sources. As a Cryptologic Linguist in the Army National Guard, you will learn to interpret the words, intent, and tenor of these foreign communications, and present it to the people who need it the most. In this role, you will earn a security clearance and perform or supervise the detection, acquisition, geolocation, identification, and exploitation of foreign communications using specialized signals equipment.
   
   Specific duties of the Cryptologic Linguist may include identification of foreign communications; categorizing signals by activity type; foreign communication analysis; recognizing changes in transmission modes and reporting the change; providing translation expertise to analysts; supporting Signals Intelligence tasking, reporting, and coordination; and providing transcriptions or translations of foreign communications.
   Identify and analyze foreign communications Recognize changes in transmission modes and tip the appropriate authority Provide translation expertise to analysts Provide transcripts and translations from foreign communications
   Some of the Skills You'll Learn
   Identifying foreign communications from an assigned geographic area Analyzing foreign communications to support missions Procedures for handling classified information and preparing reports
   Helpful Skills
   Talent for foreign languages Interest in speech, communications, and foreign languages Ability to work as a team member Enjoy reading and writing
   Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career as a translator for government agencies, embassies, universities, and companies that conduct business overseas.
   
   Earn While You Learn
   
   More than any other branch of service, the Army National Guard offers a wide range of intelligence-related positions. Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to learn. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance and certifications.
   
   Job training for a Cryptologic Linguist requires 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and three to 80 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Soldiers who don't possess foreign language fluency will attend foreign language training at the Defense Language Institute for six to 18 months prior to attending Advanced Individual Training. Completion of your initial entry training in the Army National Guard could also lead to additional college credit.
   
   Benefits/Requirements
   
   Benefits
   Paid training A monthly paycheck Earn a security clearance Montgomery GI Bill Federal and State tuition assistance Retirement benefits for part-time service Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage) 401(k)-type savings plan Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans) Health care benefits available VA home loans Bonuses, if applicable
   Most non-prior service candidates will initially earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change. As a 35P, you will earn additional pay each month for maintaining your language proficiency, from $100 to $500 per month for your primary language depending on your level of proficiency, and up to $1000 total if you maintain proficiency in additional languages.
   
   Requirements
   Military enlistment in the Army National Guard Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details) Requires military enlistment. Programs and benefits are subject to change. Ask your Army National Guard recruiter for the most up-to-date information. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.
   
   Other Job Information
   
   Job Category: Intelligence
   Age Requirements: Must be between the ages of 17 and 35 law enforcement interpreter

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find cryptologic linguists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any cryptologic linguists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level cryptologic linguists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cryptologic linguist job on Zippia to find and recruit cryptologic linguist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with cryptologic linguist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new cryptologic linguist

   Once you've decided on a perfect cryptologic linguist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new cryptologic linguist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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