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Deaf/hard of hearing specialist vs sign language interpreter

The differences between deaf/hard of hearing specialists and sign language interpreters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a deaf/hard of hearing specialist and a sign language interpreter. Additionally, a deaf/hard of hearing specialist has an average salary of $48,495, which is higher than the $43,655 average annual salary of a sign language interpreter.

The top three skills for a deaf/hard of hearing specialist include ASL, DHH and . The most important skills for a sign language interpreter are customer service, ASL, and registry.

Deaf/hard of hearing specialist vs sign language interpreter overview

Deaf/Hard Of Hearing SpecialistSign Language Interpreter
Yearly salary$48,495$43,655
Hourly rate$23.31$20.99
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs1,47023,371
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Deaf/hard of hearing specialist vs sign language interpreter salary

Deaf/hard of hearing specialists and sign language interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Deaf/Hard Of Hearing SpecialistSign Language Interpreter
Average salary$48,495$43,655
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $70,000Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Virginia
Best paying company-Kern Community College District
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between deaf/hard of hearing specialist and sign language interpreter education

There are a few differences between a deaf/hard of hearing specialist and a sign language interpreter in terms of educational background:

Deaf/Hard Of Hearing SpecialistSign Language Interpreter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorSpecial EducationAmerican Sign Language
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Deaf/hard of hearing specialist vs sign language interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between deaf/hard of hearing specialists' and sign language interpreters' demographics:

Deaf/Hard Of Hearing SpecialistSign Language Interpreter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 19.0% Female, 81.0%Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 35.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 41.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between deaf/hard of hearing specialist and sign language interpreter duties and responsibilities

Deaf/hard of hearing specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage FDA regulate products requirements for ISO2000 quality assurance.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEP) design to promote educational, physical and social development.
  • Maintain HIPAA compliance, review records and make recommendations for medical devices.

Sign language interpreter example responsibilities.

  • Utilize basic ASL medical terminology to provide access and facilitate communication between adult patients and medical staff or doctor.
  • Provide interpretation services for patients in preparation for procedures, locations and other general information.
  • Perform consecutive interpretation services over the phone to provide quality interpretation between clients and LEP.
  • Tutor a deaf student in math and reading.
  • Translate and make subtitles in documentary and self produce films.
  • Work with students and staff/faculty to interpret sign-to-voice and voice-to sign.
  • Show more

Deaf/hard of hearing specialist vs sign language interpreter skills

Common deaf/hard of hearing specialist skills
  • ASL, 65%
  • DHH, 35%
Common sign language interpreter skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • ASL, 20%
  • Registry, 8%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Sign Language, 6%
  • English Language, 5%

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