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The differences between interpreters and cryptologic linguists 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 cryptologic linguist. Additionally, a cryptologic linguist has an average salary of $43,225, 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 cryptologic linguist are TIP, government agencies, and national security.
| Interpreter | Cryptologic Linguist | |
| Yearly salary | $42,008 | $43,225 |
| Hourly rate | $20.20 | $20.78 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 3,772 | 696 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| 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.
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. They are required to supervise a team of other linguistic professionals to provide transcriptions and analysis from foreign communications. Cryptologic linguists must also identify the languages spoken at target geographic areas of interest.
Interpreters and cryptologic linguists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Interpreter | Cryptologic Linguist | |
| Average salary | $42,008 | $43,225 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $60,000 | Between $27,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | - |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | - |
| Best paying company | Cottage Health | - |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between an interpreter and a cryptologic linguist in terms of educational background:
| Interpreter | Cryptologic Linguist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between interpreters' and cryptologic linguists' demographics:
| Interpreter | Cryptologic Linguist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3% | Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4% |
| 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, 6.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 11.7% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |