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The differences between interpreters 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 a bilingual interpreter. Additionally, a bilingual interpreter has an average salary of $44,168, which is higher than the $42,008 average annual salary of an interpreter.
The top three skills for an interpreter include patients, customer service and ASL. The most important skills for a bilingual interpreter are patients, translation services, and interpretation services.
| Interpreter | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Yearly salary | $42,008 | $44,168 |
| Hourly rate | $20.20 | $21.23 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 3,772 | 5,338 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An interpreter is responsible for facilitating communication between different language speakers by translating information from one language to another for easy comprehension. Some interpreters work on spoken languages while the rest specialize in sign languages. Interpreters must have strong knowledge and expertise in their chosen language to translate communication accurately and efficiently. They should also provide written texts as needed, especially in the transcription and publishing industry. Interpreters must be detail-oriented all the time to communicate the message effectively without altering its core content.
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.
Interpreters and bilingual interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Interpreter | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Average salary | $42,008 | $44,168 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $60,000 | Between $27,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Cottage Health | Randolph Health |
| Best paying industry | Government | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an interpreter and a bilingual interpreter in terms of educational background:
| Interpreter | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between interpreters' and bilingual interpreters' demographics:
| Interpreter | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3% | Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 32.8% Asian, 17.5% White, 38.7% 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 Percentage | 15% | 15% |