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Language translator vs deaf interpreter

The differences between language translators 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 a language translator and a deaf interpreter. Additionally, a language translator has an average salary of $45,490, which is higher than the $43,511 average annual salary of a deaf interpreter.

The top three skills for a language translator include proofreading, foreign language and target language. The most important skills for a deaf interpreter are registry, EIPA, and ASL.

Language translator vs deaf interpreter overview

Language TranslatorDeaf Interpreter
Yearly salary$45,490$43,511
Hourly rate$21.87$20.92
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs21,4503,676
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Associate Degree, 38%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Language translator vs deaf interpreter salary

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

Language TranslatorDeaf Interpreter
Average salary$45,490$43,511
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $70,000Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCRichmond, CA
Highest paying stateOregonNew York
Best paying companyBloombergSoliant
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between language translator and deaf interpreter education

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

Language TranslatorDeaf Interpreter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Associate Degree, 38%
Most common majorEnglishSpecial Education
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Language translator vs deaf interpreter demographics

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

Language TranslatorDeaf Interpreter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 39.4% Female, 60.6%Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 31.5% Asian, 18.0% White, 38.5% 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 Percentage15%15%

Differences between language translator and deaf interpreter duties and responsibilities

Language translator example responsibilities.

  • Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
  • Provide written translations from Dari and Pashto, and some Urdu, into English.
  • Consult employees on proper multicultural etiquette while connecting with Thai, Thai Yai, and Burmese sex workers.
  • Conduct interviews for a study on the male sex work industry and translate the answers from Thai to English.
  • Train soldiers to perform in a combat environment including tactical navigation, military communications, and several types of weapons.
  • Conduct monitoring, translating, transcribing, interpreting, perform translation/transcription, quality control and perform validating services.

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 )

Language translator vs deaf interpreter skills

Common language translator skills
  • Proofreading, 16%
  • Foreign Language, 15%
  • Target Language, 12%
  • Haitian Creole, 10%
  • Thai, 9%
  • Translation Services, 8%
Common deaf interpreter skills
  • Registry, 35%
  • EIPA, 15%
  • ASL, 12%
  • Facilitate Communication, 11%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • IEP, 7%

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