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The differences between sign language 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 sign language interpreter and a language translator. Additionally, a language translator has an average salary of $45,490, which is higher than the $43,655 average annual salary of a sign language interpreter.
The top three skills for a sign language interpreter include customer service, ASL and registry. The most important skills for a language translator are proofreading, foreign language, and target language.
| Sign Language Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Yearly salary | $43,655 | $45,490 |
| Hourly rate | $20.99 | $21.87 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 23,371 | 21,450 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A sign language interpreter specializes in bridging the communication gap for people with hearing or speaking difficulties using American Sign Language (ASL) and other sign languages. Interpreters may work for a company or independently; they may also interpret for one-on-one communication or public engagements. The responsibilities of a sign language interpreter depend on the situation or environment. Besides helping clients convey and receive messages, they may also build rapport with clients to make them feel at ease, manage schedules, and perform calls.
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.
Sign language interpreters and language translators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sign Language Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Average salary | $43,655 | $45,490 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $70,000 | Between $29,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | Bloomberg |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a sign language interpreter and a language translator in terms of educational background:
| Sign Language Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | American Sign Language | English |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between sign language interpreters' and language translators' demographics:
| Sign Language Interpreter | Language Translator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9% | Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |