Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between interpreters and sign language 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 sign language interpreter. Additionally, a sign language interpreter has an average salary of $43,655, 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 sign language interpreter are customer service, ASL, and registry.
| Interpreter | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Yearly salary | $42,008 | $43,655 |
| Hourly rate | $20.20 | $20.99 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 3,772 | 23,371 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| 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 sign language interpreter specializes in bridging the communication gap for people with hearing or speaking difficulties using American Sign Language (ASL) and other sign languages. Interpreters may work for a company or independently; they may also interpret for one-on-one communication or public engagements. The responsibilities of a sign language interpreter depend on the situation or environment. Besides helping clients convey and receive messages, they may also build rapport with clients to make them feel at ease, manage schedules, and perform calls.
Interpreters and sign language interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Interpreter | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Average salary | $42,008 | $43,655 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $60,000 | Between $26,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Cottage Health | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an interpreter and a sign language interpreter in terms of educational background:
| Interpreter | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | American Sign Language |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between interpreters' and sign language interpreters' demographics:
| Interpreter | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3% | Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9% |
| 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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |