How To Become An Interpreter And Translator: What It Is and Career Path

Q: Can you be both a translator and an interpreter?

Yes, you can be both a translator and an interpreter. However, these are separate roles with very different skill sets. People in roles as both translators and interpreters spend their lives converting words in one language into words in another language. However, it is not very common to find individuals who provide both translation and interpretation services. This is because these are roles that are not as interchangeable as a person might initially think.

Q: How long does it take to become an interpreter?

It takes at least four years to become an interpreter. However, many companies seek to hire a person who is already fluent in any language they are interpreting, so the time it takes to become an interpreter is largely dependent on their own language skills.

Q: How much do interpreters and translators make?

Interpreters and translators make about $51,000 in a year. However, the best paid 25% generally make over $71,000 in a year, while the lowest-paid 25% only make around $38,000 per year. The highest-paid roles in translation services are for literary translators. Literary translators earn an average of $51,000 a year. This is most likely because literature is considered the most challenging content to rewrite in a different language.

Q: What is the difference between an interpreter and a translator?

The difference between an interpreter and a translator is the method they are using. These are separate roles with very different skill sets. People in both roles as translators and interpreters spend their lives converting words in one language into words in another language. However, it is not very common to find individuals who provide both translation and interpretation services. This is because these are roles that are not as interchangeable as a person might initially think.

What is an interpreter and translator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Laura Polhemus Ph.D.

If you know another language and like the idea of helping people communicate with each other, then a career as an interpreter or translator may be perfect for you. As an interpreter or translator, you'll help break down communication barriers. Translators are responsible for taking written material in one language and transforming it into another language in written form. Interpreters, on the other hand, convert information from one spoken language into another.

If you're interested in using your language skills, you may find a position where you are required to both translate and interpret. However, in many positions, you will work exclusively with either written or spoken language. To succeed as a translator or interpreter, some of the skills you'll need include in-depth cultural knowledge, excellent research and analytical ability, and good attention to detail. Interpreters who work with the spoken word also need to be adaptable and able to think on their feet.

Most translators and interpreters have at least a Bachelor's degree. However, the most important requirement to work in this field is to have advanced language skills in at least two languages.

What general advice would you give to an interpreter and translator?

Laura Polhemus Ph.D.

Advanced Assistant Professor, Bethel University

Always be involved with the Deaf community where you live. Go to events, volunteer where appropriate, and seek out ways to be involved. This will grow your ASL skills and your understanding of how to be a good ally. Never stop learning. Listen to podcasts, watch ASL news, read, go to workshops, seek out mentors, and continue to learn and grow to become more knowledgeable of the world and the languages you're using. Give yourself grace and practice self-care. It will take many hours of practice to become an expert, so don't expect that to happen immediately. The biggest difference between experts and novices in this field is that experts know how to see a mistake and turn it around into something that motivates them or sometime they can learn from instead of seeing it only as a negative. Take advantage of massages, counseling, chiropractic services, and other types of self-care to keep yourself healthy physically and mentally.

ScoreInterpreter And TranslatorUS Average

Salary

3.4

Avg. Salary $43,870

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate 20%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.29%

Asian 14.23%

Black or African American 6.48%

Hispanic or Latino 34.30%

Unknown 5.37%

White 39.33%

Gender

female 48.19%

male 51.81%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an interpreter and translator

Explore interpreter and translator education requirements

Most common interpreter and translator degrees

Bachelor's

55.1 %

Master's

14.6 %

Associate

13.1 %

Start to develop specific interpreter and translator skills

Skills	Percentages
Transcription	12.65%
English Language	12.27%
Security Clearance	12.02%
Law Enforcement	11.57%
Target Language	10.31%

Complete relevant interpreter and translator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New interpreter and translators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an interpreter and translator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real interpreter and translator resumes.

Research interpreter and translator duties and responsibilities

Coach and teach students to achieve grades at or beyond expect IEP goals.
Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Provide foreign language support services, including transcription, and translation / interpretation services in support of military operations.

Prepare your interpreter and translator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your interpreter and translator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an interpreter and translator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable interpreter and translator resume templates

Build a professional interpreter and translator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your interpreter and translator resume.