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The differences between per diem interpreters and language translators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a per diem interpreter and a language translator. Additionally, a language translator has an average salary of $45,490, which is higher than the $42,675 average annual salary of a per diem interpreter.
The top three skills for a per diem interpreter include patients, per diem and customer service. The most important skills for a language translator are proofreading, foreign language, and target language.
| Per Diem Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Yearly salary | $42,675 | $45,490 |
| Hourly rate | $20.52 | $21.87 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 38,934 | 21,450 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A per diem interpreter is responsible for interpreting sign or oral language and translating text from one specific language into another. You will perform several tasks that include adapting translations to students' grade and cognitive levels, working closely with other educational team members when necessary, and proofreading, revising, and editing translated materials. Additionally, you are responsible for translating messages into one language orally using hand signs and explaining translation requirements to clients. As a pier diem interpreter, you are also responsible for checking translated texts for technical terminology.
Language translators are linguistic professionals who are responsible for converting information from one language to another to help people read the translation based on the original source. These translators must use a computer to translate the original language into their native language. They can work for software development companies as under contract independent foreign language translators. They must utilize target language to translate and transcribe critical information and performing immediate data analysis. Language translators must also provide interpretations for meetings, conferences, and administrative hearings for any sponsored functions.
Per diem interpreters and language translators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Per Diem Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Average salary | $42,675 | $45,490 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $68,000 | Between $29,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Davis, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Cottage Health | Bloomberg |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a per diem interpreter and a language translator in terms of educational background:
| Per Diem Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Nursing | English |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between per diem interpreters' and language translators' demographics:
| Per Diem Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3% | Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 10.8% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |