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Interpreter and translator vs bilingual interpreter

The differences between interpreter and translators and bilingual interpreters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an interpreter and translator and a bilingual interpreter. Additionally, a bilingual interpreter has an average salary of $44,168, which is higher than the $43,870 average annual salary of an interpreter and translator.

The top three skills for an interpreter and translator include transcription, english language and security clearance. The most important skills for a bilingual interpreter are patients, translation services, and interpretation services.

Interpreter and translator vs bilingual interpreter overview

Interpreter And TranslatorBilingual Interpreter
Yearly salary$43,870$44,168
Hourly rate$21.09$21.23
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs3,7875,338
Job satisfaction45
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does an interpreter and translator do?

An interpreter and translator are language experts responsible for translating one language to another for communicative purposes and context comprehension in the highest accuracy. Interpreters and translators must ensure that the translations keep the core message of the speaker or author's statement, including the proper interpretation of terminologies for the target audience. An interpreter and translator should also observe strict grammar rules and composition structures to maintain context integrity. They should have excellent communication skills, especially in the aspects of listening, writing, and speaking crucial for this kind of expertise.

What does a bilingual interpreter do?

A bilingual interpreter is responsible for translating communications from one language to another without compromising the focus of the context. Bilingual interpreters manage verbal and written interactions between parties, including the translation of complicated terminologies to comprehensive statements with the same meaning. They should be excellently familiar with the style and structure of their language expertise to translate codes effectively. A bilingual interpreter must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as coordinating with different kinds of people efficiently to assist clients in their daily tasks.

Interpreter and translator vs bilingual interpreter salary

Interpreter and translators and bilingual interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Interpreter And TranslatorBilingual Interpreter
Average salary$43,870$44,168
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $70,000Between $27,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaVirginia
Best paying companyAppleRandolph Health
Best paying industryGovernmentAutomotive

Differences between interpreter and translator and bilingual interpreter education

There are a few differences between an interpreter and translator and a bilingual interpreter in terms of educational background:

Interpreter And TranslatorBilingual Interpreter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorEnglishBusiness
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Interpreter and translator vs bilingual interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between interpreter and translators' and bilingual interpreters' demographics:

Interpreter And TranslatorBilingual Interpreter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 51.8% Female, 48.2%Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 34.3% Asian, 14.2% White, 39.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 47.2% Asian, 11.0% White, 32.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between interpreter and translator and bilingual interpreter duties and responsibilities

Interpreter and translator example 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.
  • Show more

Bilingual interpreter example responsibilities.

  • Observe company's protocols, including HIPAA compliance.
  • Set and attend appointments for professional staffs in school setting conferences for IEP, DEP, financial aidand truancy.
  • Provide bilingual interpretation during verbal interactions between English-speaking medical professionals and non-English speaking Hispanic patients.
  • Assist non-English speaking Hispanic patients providing accurate medical history, expressing medical concerns and receiving educational and various written materials.
  • Follow establish departmental guidelines and protect confidentiality of member's information (HIPPA )

Interpreter and translator vs bilingual interpreter skills

Common interpreter and translator skills
  • Transcription, 13%
  • English Language, 12%
  • Security Clearance, 12%
  • Law Enforcement, 12%
  • Target Language, 10%
  • Vice Versa, 4%
Common bilingual interpreter skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Translation Services, 23%
  • Interpretation Services, 17%
  • Target Language, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Medical Procedures, 5%

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