Medical interpreter vs deaf interpreter

The differences between medical 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 a medical interpreter and a deaf interpreter. Additionally, a medical interpreter has an average salary of $43,593, which is higher than the $43,511 average annual salary of a deaf interpreter.

The top three skills for a medical interpreter include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a deaf interpreter are registry, EIPA, and ASL.

Medical interpreter vs deaf interpreter overview

	Medical Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Yearly salary	$43,593	$43,511
Hourly rate	$20.96	$20.92
Growth rate	20%	20%
Number of jobs	47,796	3,676
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 38%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Medical interpreter vs deaf interpreter salary

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

	Medical Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Average salary	$43,593	$43,511
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $68,000	Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	Richmond, CA
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital	Soliant
Best paying industry	Health Care	Education

Differences between medical interpreter and deaf interpreter education

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

	Medical Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 51%	Associate Degree, 38%
Most common major	Business	Special Education
Most common college	Harvard University	Harvard University

Medical interpreter vs deaf interpreter demographics

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

	Medical Interpreter	Deaf Interpreter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%	Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 35.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 39.6% 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 medical interpreter and deaf interpreter duties and responsibilities

Medical interpreter example responsibilities.

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Inform providers and patients of relevant cultural issues to assist providers in delivering culturally competent patient care.
Assist another medical interpreter in interpreting for patients who have trouble understanding English spoken by health professionals and receptionists.
Create education and promotional materials relate to Latino health and wellness.

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 )

Medical interpreter vs deaf interpreter skills

Common medical interpreter skills

Patients, 35%
Customer Service, 11%
Patient Care, 8%
LEP, 7%
Informed Consent, 4%
Target Language, 4%

Common deaf interpreter skills

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

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Medical Interpreter vs Deaf Interpreter

Updated January 8, 2025

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