Foreign language interpreter vs sign language interpreter

The differences between foreign language interpreters 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 foreign language interpreter and a sign language interpreter. Additionally, a foreign language interpreter has an average salary of $44,242, which is higher than the $43,655 average annual salary of a sign language interpreter.

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

Foreign language interpreter vs sign language interpreter overview

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Yearly salary	$44,242	$43,655
Hourly rate	$21.27	$20.99
Growth rate	20%	20%
Number of jobs	23,134	23,371
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Foreign language interpreter vs sign language interpreter salary

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

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Average salary	$44,242	$43,655
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $72,000	Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	New York	Virginia
Best paying company	Jefferson County Sheriffs Dept	Kern Community College District
Best paying industry	Automotive	Government

Differences between foreign language interpreter and sign language interpreter education

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

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Business	American Sign Language
Most common college	Harvard University	Harvard University

Foreign language interpreter vs sign language interpreter demographics

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

	Foreign Language Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%	Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between foreign language interpreter and sign language 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.

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.

Foreign language interpreter vs sign language 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 sign language interpreter skills

Customer Service, 20%
ASL, 20%
Registry, 8%
Patients, 8%
Sign Language, 6%
English Language, 5%

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Foreign Language Interpreter vs Sign Language Interpreter

Updated January 8, 2025

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