How To Become A Per Diem Interpreter: What It Is and Career Path

What is a per diem interpreter and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Per diem interpreters interpret sign or oral language and translate text from one language to another. Some of their core duties include adapting translations to student's grades and cognitive levels, proofreading, revising, and editing translated materials, as well as collaborating with other educational team members when necessary.

You are responsible for translating messages into one language orally using hand signs and explaining translation requirements to clients. As a per diem interpreter, you will be responsible for checking translated texts for technical terminology. You can decide to work in clinical or non-clinical settings. In clinical settings, you might be required to use EMR software to manage patient records and files.

Important skills for any per diem interpreter are per diem, customer service, procedures, communication skills, and listening skills. Most per diem interpreters hold a bachelor's degree in nursing or occupational therapy. You will earn an average of $19.33 per hour and $40,000 annually.

ScorePer Diem InterpreterUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,675

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.1

Growth rate 20%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 10.84%

Black or African American 6.38%

Hispanic or Latino 22.45%

Unknown 4.48%

White 55.61%

Gender

female 66.28%

male 33.72%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Stress level

6.1

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a per diem interpreter

Explore per diem interpreter education requirements

Most common per diem interpreter degrees

Bachelor's

45.2 %

Associate

25.0 %

Master's

15.0 %

Start to develop specific per diem interpreter skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	37.24%
Per Diem	15.82%
Customer Service	11.38%
Acute Care	4.46%
CPR	4.26%

Complete relevant per diem interpreter training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New per diem interpreters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a per diem interpreter based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real per diem interpreter resumes.

Research per diem interpreter duties and responsibilities

Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
Facilitate communication between LEP patients/families and medical staff by providing accurate and comprehensive interpreter services (person/phone).
Monitor patient EKG patterns while patient is admitted.
Provide education and training while administering a base wide CPR training program.

Prepare your per diem interpreter resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your per diem interpreter resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a per diem interpreter resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable per diem interpreter resume templates

Build a professional per diem interpreter resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your per diem interpreter resume.