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Language translator salary
Average language translator salary
$45,490
Average Language Translator Salary
The average salary for a language translator in the United States is $45,490 per year, or $22 per hour. This figure represents a competitive compensation rate, reflecting the demand for skilled translators in various industries, including legal, healthcare, and technical fields.
How Much Does a Language Translator Make?
Compensation can differ significantly based on experience, specialization, and location. Entry-level translators may earn less than the average, while those with expertise in niche languages can command higher rates. Additionally, freelance translators often set their own rates, which can lead to substantial earnings.
Where Can a Language Translator Earn More?
States with a high demand for translation services, such as California, New York, and Texas, tend to offer higher salaries. Understanding the job market in various regions can help translators make informed decisions about where to apply.
Language Translator Salary Estimates
Different online platforms provide varying salary estimates, so it’s beneficial to compare sources for a comprehensive view. The data here serves as a reliable foundation, helping job seekers gauge their earning potential.
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Where can a Language Translator earn more?
Language translator salary estimates from across the web
Average language translator salary by state
The average language translator salary in Oregon, New York, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average language translator salary states are Hawaii, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for language translators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | $61,312 | $29.48 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $53,493 | $25.72 |
| 3 | Oregon | $66,607 | $32.02 |
| 4 | Vermont | $52,410 | $25.20 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $76,706 | $36.88 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $54,486 | $26.20 |
| 7 | New York | $63,205 | $30.39 |
| 8 | Colorado | $59,491 | $28.60 |
| 9 | Washington | $55,407 | $26.64 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $52,806 | $25.39 |
| 11 | California | $57,519 | $27.65 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $52,336 | $25.16 |
| 13 | Utah | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| 14 | Alaska | $62,512 | $30.05 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $50,247 | $24.16 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $47,554 | $22.86 |
| 17 | Texas | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| 18 | Maryland | $51,561 | $24.79 |
| 19 | Montana | $48,824 | $23.47 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $48,876 | $23.50 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $50,143 | $24.11 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $47,249 | $22.72 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $46,889 | $22.54 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $53,411 | $25.68 |
| 25 | Georgia | $48,885 | $23.50 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $50,183 | $24.13 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $45,663 | $21.95 |
| 28 | Kansas | $44,015 | $21.16 |
| 29 | Iowa | $44,257 | $21.28 |
| 30 | Maine | $47,069 | $22.63 |
| 31 | Missouri | $46,432 | $22.32 |
| 32 | Delaware | $43,977 | $21.14 |
| 33 | Rhode Island | $45,500 | $21.88 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $43,928 | $21.12 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $44,343 | $21.32 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $41,934 | $20.16 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $42,209 | $20.29 |
| 38 | Illinois | $43,612 | $20.97 |
| 39 | Michigan | $43,001 | $20.67 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $39,518 | $19.00 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | $44,132 | $21.22 |
| 42 | Florida | $38,523 | $18.52 |
| 43 | Arizona | $40,421 | $19.43 |
| 44 | Idaho | $40,880 | $19.65 |
| 45 | Ohio | $40,109 | $19.28 |
| 46 | Indiana | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| 47 | Alabama | $39,814 | $19.14 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $39,181 | $18.84 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $39,018 | $18.76 |
| 50 | Nevada | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $36,804 | $17.69 |
Highest paying cities for language translators
The highest-paying cities for language translators are Washington, DC, Arlington, VA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $76,735 | $36.89 |
| 2 | Arlington, VA | $63,395 | $30.48 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $63,264 | $30.42 |
| 4 | Campbell, CA | $61,937 | $29.78 |
| 5 | Westminster, CO | $59,614 | $28.66 |
| 6 | Rockville, MD | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| 7 | Jackson, MS | $50,333 | $24.20 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| 9 | Urbandale, IA | $44,268 | $21.28 |
| 10 | New Orleans, LA | $43,555 | $20.94 |
| 11 | Farmington Hills, MI | $43,030 | $20.69 |
| 12 | Columbus, OH | $39,849 | $19.16 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $39,573 | $19.03 |
Language translator salary details
A language translator's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a language translator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $45,490 | $3,791 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying language translator jobs
The highest paying types of language translators are technical translator, interpretive program coordinator, and arabic translator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Interpreter | $39,807 | $3,317 | $19.14 | 5,541 |
| Per Diem Interpreter | $42,675 | $3,556 | $20.52 | 38,934 |
| Court Interpreter | $44,300 | $3,692 | $21.30 | 4,250 |
| Cryptologic Linguist | $43,225 | $3,602 | $20.78 | 696 |
| Medical Interpreter | $43,593 | $3,633 | $20.96 | 47,796 |
| Spanish Interpreter | $43,067 | $3,589 | $20.71 | 4,043 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for language translators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Sharon Rowley Ph.D.
Professor, Christopher Newport University
Top companies hiring language translators now:
Which companies pay language translators the most?
Language translator salaries at Bloomberg and Mercy Children's Hospital are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average language translator salary at companies like Dow Jones and Rochester City School District are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bloomberg | $86,627 | $41.65 |
| 2 | Mercy Children's Hospital | $73,063 | $35.13 |
| 3 | Dow Jones | $70,309 | $33.80 |
| 4 | Rochester City School District | $62,893 | $30.24 |
| 5 | PSEA | $60,771 | $29.22 |
| 6 | JTG | $59,164 | $28.44 |
| 7 | Dsa | $57,310 | $27.55 |
| 8 | ARISE Schools | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| 9 | CMA Consulting | $53,414 | $25.68 |
| 10 | Imua Family Services | $52,770 | $25.37 |
| 11 | fuboTV | $51,288 | $24.66 |
| 12 | Cq | $50,360 | $24.21 |
| 13 | Kelly Services | $46,025 | $22.13 |
| 14 | Iowa State University | $40,699 | $19.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Language translator salary trends
The average language translator salary has risen by $7,102 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average language translator earned $38,388 annually, but today, they earn $45,490 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for language translators over the last decade.
Compare language translator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average language translator salary over time
Compare language translator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Language translator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,500 | $21.87 | +1.0% |
| 2024 | $45,100 | $21.66 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $43,400 | $20.87 | +5.5% |
| 2022 | $41,000 | $19.72 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $40,100 | $19.27 | +4.2% |
Recently added language translator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County School District 50 | Language Translator and Interpreter 2025 | Westminster, CO | 06/13/2025 | $58,039 |
| Evoke Consulting | French (African) Language Translator | Translation Services [Clt038037] | Charlotte, NC | 05/26/2025 | $60,000 |
| Lotus Learning Group | Language Support-Translation & Interpreting/Spanish | Lodi, NJ | 05/16/2025 | $41,740 |
| Cayuse Shared Services | International/Foreign Language Translator | Arlington, VA | 05/04/2025 | $59,960 |
| Cayuse Holdings | International/Foreign Language Translator | Arlington, VA | 05/03/2025 | $59,960 |
| Evoke Consulting | Telugu Language Translator | Translation Services [Clt041040] | Charlotte, NC | 04/30/2025 | $60,000 |
| Imua Family Services | Language Translator Contractor-Contract Position | Kahului, HI | 04/19/2025 | $83,480 |
| Mac's List | Translator-Foreign Language-Early Learning-Limited Term | Hillsboro, OR | 04/12/2025 | $55,702 |
| Southern Oregon University | English To Spanish Language Translator | Ione, OR | 03/30/2025 | $44,704 |
| Bellevue School District | Language Access Translator (Temporary | Bellevue, WA | 03/09/2025 | $52,175 |
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