Paraprofessional interpreter vs sign language interpreter

The differences between paraprofessional 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 a paraprofessional interpreter and a sign language interpreter. Additionally, a sign language interpreter has an average salary of $43,655, which is higher than the $39,755 average annual salary of a paraprofessional interpreter.

The top three skills for a paraprofessional interpreter include ASL, and . The most important skills for a sign language interpreter are customer service, ASL, and registry.

Paraprofessional interpreter vs sign language interpreter overview

	Paraprofessional Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Yearly salary	$39,755	$43,655
Hourly rate	$19.11	$20.99
Growth rate	20%	20%
Number of jobs	5,279	23,371
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Paraprofessional interpreter vs sign language interpreter salary

Paraprofessional interpreters and sign language interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Paraprofessional Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Average salary	$39,755	$43,655
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $59,000	Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Virginia
Best paying company	-	Kern Community College District
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between paraprofessional interpreter and sign language interpreter education

There are a few differences between a paraprofessional interpreter and a sign language interpreter in terms of educational background:

	Paraprofessional Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common major	Special Education	American Sign Language
Most common college	Harvard University	Harvard University

Paraprofessional interpreter vs sign language interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between paraprofessional interpreters' and sign language interpreters' demographics:

	Paraprofessional Interpreter	Sign Language Interpreter
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%	Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 35.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 41.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	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%

Differences between paraprofessional interpreter and sign language interpreter duties and responsibilities

Paraprofessional interpreter example responsibilities.

Work with ESL and special needs students, individually and in small groups, to attain their learning objectives
Implement language simulation and ESL techniques into all areas of instruction.
Assist in providing services to English language learners with a combination of individual, group and classroom support.
Interpret using ASL for a mainstream deaf student as well as aiding in the assistance of self contain students daily needs.
Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.
Create PowerPoint presentations to display and categorize severity of defects to company personnel.

Sign language interpreter example responsibilities.

Utilize basic ASL medical terminology to provide access and facilitate communication between adult patients and medical staff or doctor.
Provide interpretation services for patients in preparation for procedures, locations and other general information.
Perform consecutive interpretation services over the phone to provide quality interpretation between clients and LEP.
Tutor a deaf student in math and reading.
Translate and make subtitles in documentary and self produce films.
Work with students and staff/faculty to interpret sign-to-voice and voice-to sign.

Paraprofessional interpreter vs sign language interpreter skills

Common paraprofessional interpreter skills

ASL, 100%

Common sign language interpreter skills

Customer Service, 20%
ASL, 20%
Registry, 8%
Patients, 8%
Sign Language, 6%
English Language, 5%

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Paraprofessional Interpreter vs Sign Language Interpreter

Updated January 8, 2025

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