Can you be an interpreter without a degree?

Yes, you can be an interpreter without a degree. Though, this is rare. Just 7% of interpreters have only their high school diploma or equivalent. And, just 15% have only their associate's degree.

Do interpreters make good money?

No, interpreters do not make good money. Interpreters make $40,000 a year, on average, with those just starting out making an average of $28,000 annually. Even at the high end of the pay spectrum, interpreter jobs yield just $56,000 a year, on average.

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.

What is an interpreter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Laura Polhemus Ph.D.

An interpreter facilitates communication between individuals who speak different languages. They may work in legal, medical, educational, and business environments to translate spoken words and/or written documents. Interpreters must have excellent language skills and cultural knowledge, as well as strong communication and interpersonal skills. They may work in person or remotely, using technology to facilitate communication. Interpreting can be a rewarding profession that allows individuals to make a meaningful difference.

What general advice would you give to an interpreter?

Laura Polhemus Ph.D.

Advanced Assistant Professor, Bethel University

We are continuing to see more and more virtual interpreting. Knowing how to use technology, how to set up a background and lighting for optimal viewing, and having strategies for making interpreting happen smoothly on various virtual platforms is essential.
The Center for Atypical Language Interpreting offers many resources that will prepare you to work with individuals from a variety of language backgrounds. https://cssh.northeastern.edu/cali/
There are many Deaf individuals obtaining advanced degrees and working in high level positions. Knowing how to behave with the utmost professionalism in a multitude of work settings and having strong academic language skills in both American Sign Language and English are important in working with these individuals.

ScoreInterpreterUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,008

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate 20%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.26%

Asian 17.46%

Black or African American 5.80%

Hispanic or Latino 32.80%

Unknown 4.93%

White 38.75%

Gender

female 61.33%

male 38.67%

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

What are the pros and cons of being an interpreter?

Pros

High demand for interpreters
Flexible work schedule
Potential for travel and international work
Competitive pay rates
Opportunity for professional development and advancement

Cons

Irregular work hours, including weekends and evenings
Limited job security and benefits for freelance interpreters
Limited opportunities for career advancement in some settings
Potential for burnout from high demand and long hours
Potential for miscommunication or misunderstandings with clients

Key steps to become an interpreter

Explore interpreter education requirements

Most common interpreter degrees

Bachelor's

55.9 %

Associate

15.4 %

Master's

12.4 %

Start to develop specific interpreter skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	23.88%
Customer Service	17.66%
ASL	10.38%
Medical Terminology	7.67%
LEP	4.95%

Complete relevant interpreter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New interpreters 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 based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real interpreter resumes.

Research interpreter duties and responsibilities

Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
Perform administrative duties such as filling, scanning, printing and photocopying.
Keep update information on students, families and translate school documents into Hmong.
Serve as a media spokesperson for the ESL department on Spanish radio and television.

Prepare your interpreter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your interpreter 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 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 resume templates

Build a professional interpreter 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 resume.