Best cities for an interpreter and translator
The best cities for interpreter and translators are Virginia Beach, VA, Washington, DC, and El Paso, TX, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for interpreter and translators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for interpreter and translators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an interpreter and translator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for interpreter and translators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for interpreter and translators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an interpreter and translator. While the absolute best city for interpreter and translators is Virginia Beach, VA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for interpreter and translators in 2024.
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10 best cities for interpreter and translators in 2025
1. Virginia Beach, VA
Interpreter and translator jobs in Virginia BeachTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $59,283 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $100,000 Location quotient: 3.53 2. Washington, DC
Interpreter and translator jobs in WashingtonTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 25 Average annual salary: $77,883 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $133,000 Location quotient: 3.42 3. El Paso, TX
Interpreter and translator jobs in El PasoTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $47,095 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 5.53 4. Oakland, CA
Interpreter and translator jobs in OaklandTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $62,528 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 3.29 5. New York, NY
Interpreter and translator jobs in New YorkTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 145 Average annual salary: $57,281 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $97,000 Location quotient: 3.49 6. San Jose, CA
Interpreter and translator jobs in San JoseTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $61,783 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 2.89 7. San Francisco, CA
Interpreter and translator jobs in San FranciscoTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 26 Average annual salary: $62,657 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $107,000 Location quotient: 2.05 8. Portland, OR
Interpreter and translator jobs in PortlandTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $57,337 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 1.85 9. Newark, NJ
Interpreter and translator jobs in NewarkTotal interpreter and translator jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $54,012 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 5.41 10. Lexington, KY
Total interpreter and translator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $46,234 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 2.53
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Best cities for interpreter and translators
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- El Paso, TX
- Oakland, CA
- New York, NY
- San Jose, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Portland, OR
- Newark, NJ
- Lexington, KY
- (3 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (25 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (4 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (4 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (145 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (26 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (26 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (8 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (8 interpreter and translator jobs)
- (2 interpreter and translator jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an interpreter and translator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach, VA | $59,283 | $34,000 | 452,602 | 3 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $77,883 | $45,000 | 681,170 | 25 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $47,095 | $27,000 | 683,080 | 4 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $62,528 | $36,000 | 420,005 | 4 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $57,281 | $33,000 | 8,537,673 | 145 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $61,783 | $36,000 | 1,025,350 | 26 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $62,657 | $36,000 | 870,887 | 26 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $57,337 | $33,000 | 639,863 | 8 |
| 9 | Newark, NJ | $54,012 | $31,000 | 281,764 | 8 |
| 10 | Lexington, KY | $46,234 | $28,000 | 318,449 | 2 |
| 11 | Las Vegas, NV | $46,859 | $27,000 | 632,912 | 4 |
| 12 | Fremont, CA | $62,110 | $36,000 | 233,136 | 2 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $45,111 | $26,000 | 1,567,872 | 15 |
| 14 | Houston, TX | $45,870 | $27,000 | 2,303,482 | 27 |
| 15 | Omaha, NE | $45,264 | $28,000 | 446,970 | 6 |
| 16 | Norfolk, VA | $59,049 | $34,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 17 | Los Angeles, CA | $55,311 | $32,000 | 3,976,322 | 37 |
| 18 | Chesapeake, VA | $58,620 | $34,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 19 | Sacramento, CA | $62,552 | $36,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 20 | Reno, NV | $51,053 | $29,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 21 | Stockton, CA | $62,205 | $36,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 22 | San Antonio, TX | $46,238 | $27,000 | 1,492,510 | 3 |
| 23 | Lincoln, NE | $45,366 | $28,000 | 280,364 | 2 |
| 24 | Brookhaven, NY | $57,501 | $34,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 25 | Boston, MA | $52,471 | $31,000 | 673,184 | 6 |
| 26 | Austin, TX | $46,154 | $27,000 | 947,890 | 7 |
| 27 | Islip, NY | $57,469 | $34,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 28 | Irvine, CA | $54,596 | $32,000 | 266,122 | 10 |
| 29 | Albuquerque, NM | $46,372 | $27,000 | 559,277 | 1 |
| 30 | Fort Worth, TX | $45,755 | $27,000 | 854,113 | 2 |
| 31 | Louisville, KY | $46,036 | $28,000 | 597,337 | 1 |
| 32 | Oyster Bay, NY | $57,393 | $33,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 33 | Buffalo, NY | $54,599 | $32,000 | 256,902 | 1 |
| 34 | Hempstead, NY | $57,369 | $33,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 35 | Minneapolis, MN | $50,109 | $31,000 | 413,651 | 2 |
| 36 | Jersey City, NJ | $54,042 | $31,000 | 264,152 | 2 |
| 37 | North Las Vegas, NV | $46,809 | $27,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 38 | New Orleans, LA | $43,029 | $25,000 | 391,495 | 4 |
| 39 | Saint Paul, MN | $50,178 | $31,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 40 | Henderson, NV | $46,555 | $27,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 41 | Orlando, FL | $41,185 | $24,000 | 277,173 | 20 |
| 42 | Anchorage, AK | $50,888 | $33,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 43 | Miami, FL | $41,299 | $23,000 | 453,579 | 15 |
| 44 | Fresno, CA | $59,969 | $35,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 45 | Lubbock, TX | $46,259 | $27,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 46 | Laredo, TX | $46,183 | $27,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 47 | Dallas, TX | $45,655 | $27,000 | 1,317,929 | 4 |
| 48 | Corpus Christi, TX | $46,094 | $27,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 49 | San Diego, CA | $53,674 | $31,000 | 1,406,630 | 14 |
| 50 | Bakersfield, CA | $57,721 | $34,000 | 376,380 | - |
Highest paying cities for interpreter and translators
| Rank | City | Avg. interpreter and translator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $77,883 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $62,657 |
| 3 | Reston, VA | $61,699 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $57,337 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $57,281 |
| 6 | Rockville, MD | $54,435 |
| 7 | Newark, NJ | $54,012 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $52,470 |
| 9 | Danbury, CT | $49,753 |
| 10 | Provo, UT | $48,802 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $48,659 |
| 12 | Nashua, NH | $47,260 |
| 13 | Austin, TX | $46,154 |
| 14 | Philadelphia, PA | $45,111 |
| 15 | Ann Arbor, MI | $42,072 |
| 16 | Duluth, GA | $41,929 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $41,593 |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | $36,259 |
| 19 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $34,797 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $33,043 |
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Updated January 8, 2025