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The average salary for a conference interpreter is approximately $44,176 annually, translating to about $21 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry in which interpreters work. This role is crucial in facilitating communication during conferences, meetings, and other events, underscoring the need for proficiency in multiple languages and cultural nuances.
Geographical location plays a vital role in salary differences. Conference interpreters in metropolitan areas often earn higher wages compared to those in rural locations. States known for hosting international conferences, such as California and New York, typically offer the highest salaries. Furthermore, interpreters with specialized skills, such as legal or medical terminology, may command even higher rates.
Tracking the average salary of conference interpreters over the years reveals a steady increase in demand for these professionals. As global communication needs expand, opportunities for interpreters are likely to grow, making it an attractive career path for those with language skills.
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The average conference interpreter salary in Oregon, New York, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average conference interpreter salary states are Tennessee, Arkansas, and Florida.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $79,103 | $38.03 |
| 2 | Oregon | $68,275 | $32.82 |
| 3 | New York | $66,521 | $31.98 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $57,902 | $27.84 |
| 5 | Utah | $61,403 | $29.52 |
| 6 | Virginia | $57,475 | $27.63 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $54,271 | $26.09 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $53,241 | $25.60 |
| 9 | Vermont | $55,362 | $26.62 |
| 10 | California | $59,826 | $28.76 |
| 11 | Washington | $57,221 | $27.51 |
| 12 | Montana | $50,476 | $24.27 |
| 13 | Colorado | $60,545 | $29.11 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $50,537 | $24.30 |
| 15 | Alaska | $64,492 | $31.01 |
| 16 | Maryland | $53,363 | $25.66 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $56,154 | $27.00 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $50,343 | $24.20 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $53,294 | $25.62 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $50,250 | $24.16 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $49,389 | $23.74 |
| 23 | Georgia | $48,934 | $23.53 |
| 24 | South Dakota | $45,849 | $22.04 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $48,833 | $23.48 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $49,555 | $23.82 |
| 27 | Maine | $50,345 | $24.20 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $46,086 | $22.16 |
| 29 | Delaware | $45,925 | $22.08 |
| 30 | Arizona | $45,064 | $21.67 |
| 31 | Texas | $45,848 | $22.04 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $47,334 | $22.76 |
| 33 | Indiana | $45,283 | $21.77 |
| 34 | Missouri | $46,772 | $22.49 |
| 35 | Michigan | $43,617 | $20.97 |
| 36 | Kansas | $44,436 | $21.36 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $44,078 | $21.19 |
| 38 | Iowa | $44,433 | $21.36 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| 40 | Idaho | $41,829 | $20.11 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $42,132 | $20.26 |
| 43 | Illinois | $43,517 | $20.92 |
| 44 | Ohio | $40,587 | $19.51 |
| 45 | Florida | $38,242 | $18.39 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $36,311 | $17.46 |
| 47 | Alabama | $39,869 | $19.17 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $39,278 | $18.88 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $37,204 | $17.89 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $39,278 | $18.88 |
| 51 | Nevada | $35,561 | $17.10 |
The highest-paying cities for conference interpreters are Washington, DC, Union City, CA, and Sugar Land, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $79,116 | $38.04 |
| 2 | Union City, CA | $65,867 | $31.67 |
| 3 | Sugar Land, TX | $45,076 | $21.67 |
A conference interpreter's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $71,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $44,176 | $3,681 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
The highest paying types of conference interpreters are technical translator, interpretive program coordinator, and language translator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Translator | $55,019 | $4,585 | $26.45 | 68,352 |
| Arabic Linguist | $44,433 | $3,703 | $21.36 | 742 |
| Translator | $44,278 | $3,690 | $21.29 | 1,206 |
| Cryptologic Linguist | $43,225 | $3,602 | $20.78 | 696 |
| Language Translator | $45,490 | $3,791 | $21.87 | 21,450 |
| Freelance Translator | $44,736 | $3,728 | $21.51 | 1,162 |
Top companies hiring conference interpreters now:
The average conference interpreter salary has risen by $6,897 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average conference interpreter earned $37,279 annually, but today, they earn $44,176 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for conference interpreters over the last decade.
Compare conference interpreter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare conference interpreter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,200 | $21.24 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $43,800 | $21.04 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $42,100 | $20.26 | +5.5% |
| 2022 | $39,800 | $19.15 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $38,900 | $18.72 | +4.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Interpreters for Parent-Teacher Conferences-Remote | WFH | Castle Rock, CO | 05/26/2025 | $41,740 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Interpreters for Parent-Teacher Conferences-Remote | WFH | Castle Rock, CO | 03/27/2025 | $41,740 |
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