Interpreter vs deaf interpreter

The differences between interpreters and deaf 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 deaf interpreter. Additionally, a deaf interpreter has an average salary of $43,511, 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 deaf interpreter are registry, EIPA, and ASL.

Interpreter vs deaf interpreter overview

	Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Yearly salary	$42,008	$43,511
Hourly rate	$20.20	$20.92
Growth rate	20%	20%
Number of jobs	3,772	3,676
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Associate Degree, 38%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Interpreter vs deaf interpreter salary

Interpreters and deaf interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Average salary	$42,008	$43,511
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $60,000	Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Arlington, VA	Richmond, CA
Highest paying state	Virginia	New York
Best paying company	Cottage Health	Soliant
Best paying industry	Government	Education

Differences between interpreter and deaf interpreter education

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

	Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Associate Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Special Education
Most common college	Harvard University	Harvard University

Interpreter vs deaf interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between interpreters' and deaf interpreters' demographics:

	Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%	Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
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, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 11.0% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between interpreter and deaf interpreter duties and responsibilities

Interpreter example 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.
Interpret ASL to English, and English to ASL for high profile & complex legal matters.
Serve as French, creole and Spanish interpreter when necessary.- Responsible to take and document vital signs.

Deaf interpreter example responsibilities.

Help implement and modify behavior plans and IEP goals for the success of the students.
Work closely with teachers & other staff to meet or exceed student IEP goals & to resolve problems.
Provide effective communication by making important connection between patients, families and providers in clinical and hospital settings.
Follow establish departmental guidelines and protect confidentiality of member's information (HIPPA )

Interpreter vs deaf interpreter skills

Common interpreter skills

Patients, 24%
Customer Service, 18%
ASL, 10%
Medical Terminology, 8%
LEP, 5%
Sign Language, 4%

Common deaf interpreter skills

Registry, 35%
EIPA, 15%
ASL, 12%
Facilitate Communication, 11%
Mental Health, 10%
IEP, 7%

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Interpreter vs Deaf Interpreter

Updated January 8, 2025

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