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Interpreter vs interpreter and translator

The differences between interpreters and interpreter and translators 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 an interpreter and translator. Additionally, an interpreter and translator has an average salary of $43,870, 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 an interpreter and translator are transcription, english language, and security clearance.

Interpreter vs interpreter and translator overview

InterpreterInterpreter And Translator
Yearly salary$42,008$43,870
Hourly rate$20.20$21.09
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs3,7723,787
Job satisfaction44
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does an interpreter do?

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.

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.

Interpreter vs interpreter and translator salary

Interpreters and interpreter and translators have different pay scales, as shown below.

InterpreterInterpreter And Translator
Average salary$42,008$43,870
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $60,000Between $27,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityArlington, VAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateVirginiaVirginia
Best paying companyCottage HealthApple
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between interpreter and interpreter and translator education

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

InterpreterInterpreter And Translator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessEnglish
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Interpreter vs interpreter and translator demographics

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

InterpreterInterpreter And Translator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 51.8% Female, 48.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 34.3% Asian, 14.2% White, 39.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between interpreter and interpreter and translator 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.
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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.
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Interpreter vs interpreter and translator skills

Common interpreter skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • ASL, 10%
  • Medical Terminology, 8%
  • LEP, 5%
  • Sign Language, 4%
Common interpreter and translator skills
  • Transcription, 13%
  • English Language, 12%
  • Security Clearance, 12%
  • Law Enforcement, 12%
  • Target Language, 10%
  • Vice Versa, 4%

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