Foreign language interpreter vs medical interpreter

The differences between foreign language interpreters and medical 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 a medical interpreter. Additionally, a foreign language interpreter has an average salary of $44,242, which is higher than the $43,593 average annual salary of a medical interpreter.

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

Foreign language interpreter vs medical interpreter overview

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Medical Interpreter
Yearly salary	$44,242	$43,593
Hourly rate	$21.27	$20.96
Growth rate	20%	20%
Number of jobs	23,134	47,796
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Foreign language interpreter vs medical interpreter salary

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

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Medical Interpreter
Average salary	$44,242	$43,593
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $72,000	Between $27,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	California
Best paying company	Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept	UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
Best paying industry	Automotive	Health Care

Differences between foreign language interpreter and medical interpreter education

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

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Medical Interpreter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Harvard University	Harvard University

Foreign language interpreter vs medical interpreter demographics

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

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Medical Interpreter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%
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, 4.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 35.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 39.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between foreign language interpreter and medical 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.

Medical interpreter example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Inform providers and patients of relevant cultural issues to assist providers in delivering culturally competent patient care.
Assist another medical interpreter in interpreting for patients who have trouble understanding English spoken by health professionals and receptionists.
Create education and promotional materials relate to Latino health and wellness.

Foreign language interpreter vs medical 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 medical interpreter skills

Patients, 35%
Customer Service, 11%
Patient Care, 8%
LEP, 7%
Informed Consent, 4%
Target Language, 4%

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Foreign Language Interpreter vs Medical Interpreter

Updated January 8, 2025

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