How to hire an interpreter and translator

How to hire an interpreter and translator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step interpreter and translator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an interpreter and translator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new interpreter and translator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an interpreter and translator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your interpreter and translator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an interpreter and translator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect interpreter and translator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of interpreter and translators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Interpreter And Translator	Description	Hourly rate
   Interpreter And Translator	Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language; translators work in written language.	$12-33
   Cryptologic Linguist	Cryptologic linguists are lingual professionals who are responsible for using signals equipment to identify and analyze foreign communications. These linguists must assist intelligence community analysts in translating open source and sensitive materials as well as producing comprehensive reports about the daily activities of their enemies... Show more	$12-32
   Arabic Linguist	Arabic linguists are experts who interpret and translate research or business documents that are written in the Arab language or its dialects. These linguists are required to advise peers and superiors about the Arabic language and culture while providing inputs of written reports developed from target materials utilizing the specific Arabic language... Show more	$13-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Transcription
   • English Language
   • Security Clearance
   • Law Enforcement
   • Target Language
   • Vice Versa
   • Language
   • Source Language
   • DOD
   • Translation Services
   • Farsi
   • Verbal Communication
   • Military Operations
   • Transcribing

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Carry out assignments within the intelligence community in the capacity of Linguist/Interrogator in the Thai language.
   • Provide written translation of general and technical material into and from the Urdu language to English, and English into Urdu.

   More interpreter and translator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your interpreter and translator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An interpreter and translator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, interpreter and translators' average salary in oklahoma is 62% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level interpreter and translators 61% less than senior-level interpreter and translators.
   • Certifications. An interpreter and translator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an interpreter and translator's salary.

   Average interpreter and translator salary

   $43,870yearly

   $21.09 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level interpreter and translator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average interpreter and translator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$77,883	$37
   2	California	$62,657	$30
   3	Virginia	$61,699	$30
   4	Oregon	$57,337	$28
   5	New York	$57,281	$28
   6	Maryland	$54,435	$26
   7	New Jersey	$54,012	$26
   8	Massachusetts	$52,470	$25
   9	Connecticut	$49,753	$24
   10	Utah	$48,802	$23
   11	Washington	$48,659	$23
   12	New Hampshire	$47,260	$23
   13	Texas	$46,154	$22
   14	Pennsylvania	$45,111	$22
   15	Michigan	$42,072	$20
   16	Georgia	$41,929	$20
   17	Florida	$41,593	$20
   18	Illinois	$36,259	$17
   19	Hawaii	$34,797	$17
   20	Ohio	$33,043	$16

   Average interpreter and translator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$120,538	$57.95
   2	Meta	$117,542	$56.51	1
   3	Google	$109,690	$52.74
   4	Sensory	$104,916	$50.44
   5	eBay	$97,527	$46.89
   6	Arnold & Porter	$96,843	$46.56
   7	Bloomberg	$90,852	$43.68
   8	Honda Aircraft	$89,458	$43.01
   9	Amazon	$87,061	$41.86	4
   10	General Dynamics Mission Systems	$80,241	$38.58
   11	Stanford Health Care	$79,893	$38.41	1
   12	Booz Allen Hamilton	$78,085	$37.54
   13	NIO	$73,923	$35.54
   14	Transparent Language	$73,549	$35.36
   15	Cherokee Nation Businesses	$69,646	$33.48
   16	China Construction America	$67,946	$32.67
   17	Faraday Technology	$67,518	$32.46
   18	Chicago Public Schools	$67,159	$32.29	3
   19	Yoh	$66,039	$31.75
   20	Bederson	$65,316	$31.40

4. Writing an interpreter and translator job description

   A good interpreter and translator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an interpreter and translator job description:

   Interpreter and translator job description example

   We currently have immediate opening for a Karen Interpreter Translator. We offer incentives, 401K, Medical/dental/vision insurance and more! As an Interpreter Translator you must be fluent in speaking, reading, and writing Karen and English languages. Interpret accurately and completely, conveying the content and spirit of the original message, taking into consideration the cultural context that is responsive to the demands of the situation. This position is based in a warehouse/manufacturing setting and will require you to be in a refrigerated environment.
   Starting pay is $22.00 an hour Located 10 minutes from downtown St. Paul Day shift with some flexibility required dependent on business needs such as to translate for various departments/shifts Monday-Friday with some flexibilty on weekends Responsibilities Render correct concepts and meanings between languages, upholding grammar, clarity and tone from one language into another. Provide clear and accurate renditions with no additions or omissions Employ good customer service and clear enunciation, pronunciation, pleasant and professional voice. Follows instructions from BIX leaders. Able to interpret conversations and written documents with perfect accuracy Understand warehouse/manufacturing terminology Able to have multiple conversations in a short period of time. Provide exceptional customer service in stressful environments (coaching conversations). Able to work cross-functionally supporting all departments within the organization Maintain a safe working environment to reduce injuries and workers compensation claims. Food Safety as it relates to this position. All other duties assigned. Qualifications • Must demonstrate fluency in English and Karen (Burmese and /or Karenni a plus)
   • Good organizational skills with a strong attention to detail
   • Professional demeanor
   • High School plus Specialized Training (min 6mos-2yrs)
   • 1-2 years perishable consumer products warehouse experience.
   • Must have basic computer and Microsoft Office knowledge and skills
   • Maintain confidentiality
   • Ability to work effectively, in a fast paced, team-oriented environment.
   • Ability to work with people in a professional manner in all types of situations
   • Demonstrate good decision making and problem-solving skills
   • Have excellent customer service skills
   • Must have a high regard for safety
   • Must be able to work in a cold warehouse environment (0 degrees to 40 degrees). BIX Produce is an Equal Opportunity Employer

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find interpreter and translators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your interpreter and translator job on Zippia to find and recruit interpreter and translator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit interpreter and translators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new interpreter and translator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the interpreter and translator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new interpreter and translator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an interpreter and translator?