Foreign language interpreter vs interpreter

The differences between foreign language interpreters and 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 foreign language interpreter and an interpreter. Additionally, a foreign language interpreter has an average salary of $44,242, which is higher than the $42,008 average annual salary of an interpreter.

The top three skills for a foreign language interpreter include target language, foreign language and medical terminology. The most important skills for an interpreter are patients, customer service, and ASL.

Foreign language interpreter vs interpreter overview

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Interpreter
Yearly salary	$44,242	$42,008
Hourly rate	$21.27	$20.20
Growth rate	20%	20%
Number of jobs	23,134	3,772
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Foreign language interpreter vs interpreter salary

Foreign language interpreters and interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Interpreter
Average salary	$44,242	$42,008
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $72,000	Between $29,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Arlington, VA
Highest paying state	New York	Virginia
Best paying company	Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept	Cottage Health
Best paying industry	Automotive	Government

Differences between foreign language interpreter and interpreter education

There are a few differences between a foreign language interpreter and an interpreter in terms of educational background:

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Interpreter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Harvard University	Harvard University

Foreign language interpreter vs interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between foreign language interpreters' and interpreters' demographics:

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Interpreter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 33.0% Asian, 14.0% White, 39.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 32.8% Asian, 17.5% White, 38.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between foreign language interpreter and interpreter duties and responsibilities

Foreign language interpreter example responsibilities.

Coach and teach students to achieve grades at or beyond expect IEP goals.
Translate patent's documentation from doctors who fill out prescription and directions in Tamil and Hindi.
Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.
Create education and promotional materials relate to Latino health and wellness.

Interpreter example responsibilities.

Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
Perform administrative duties such as filling, scanning, printing and photocopying.
Keep update information on students, families and translate school documents into Hmong.
Serve as a media spokesperson for the ESL department on Spanish radio and television.
Interpret ASL to English, and English to ASL for high profile & complex legal matters.
Serve as French, creole and Spanish interpreter when necessary.- Responsible to take and document vital signs.

Foreign language interpreter vs interpreter skills

Common foreign language interpreter skills

Target Language, 28%
Foreign Language, 27%
Medical Terminology, 23%
Facilitate Communication, 11%
Interpretation Services, 6%
Court Proceedings, 2%

Common interpreter skills

Patients, 24%
Customer Service, 18%
ASL, 10%
Medical Terminology, 8%
LEP, 5%
Sign Language, 4%

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Foreign Language Interpreter
Foreign Language Interpreter vs Interpreter

Updated January 8, 2025

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