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Site interpreter vs technical translator

The differences between site interpreters and technical 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 site interpreter and a technical translator. Additionally, a technical translator has an average salary of $55,019, which is higher than the $44,292 average annual salary of a site interpreter.

The top three skills for a site interpreter include social services, historic sites and target language. The most important skills for a technical translator are technical translation, technical manuals, and proofreading.

Site interpreter vs technical translator overview

Site InterpreterTechnical Translator
Yearly salary$44,292$55,019
Hourly rate$21.29$26.45
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs11,17568,352
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Site interpreter vs technical translator salary

Site interpreters and technical translators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Site InterpreterTechnical Translator
Average salary$44,292$55,019
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $72,000Between $37,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between site interpreter and technical translator education

There are a few differences between a site interpreter and a technical translator in terms of educational background:

Site InterpreterTechnical Translator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorHistoryEnglish
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Site interpreter vs technical translator demographics

Here are the differences between site interpreters' and technical translators' demographics:

Site InterpreterTechnical Translator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 38.0% Female, 62.0%Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 13.2% White, 51.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 27.5% Asian, 17.9% White, 42.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between site interpreter and technical translator duties and responsibilities

Site interpreter example responsibilities.

  • Coach and teach students to achieve grades at or beyond expect IEP goals.
  • Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.
  • Provide professional media relations, and VIP presentations to donor associations and government officials.

Technical translator example responsibilities.

  • Manage group-wide collaboration using SharePoint and enable cross-team communication base on unique team needs.
  • Freelance conference interpreting (English-Spanish).
  • Assist senior mechanic with the installation of HVAC systems up to 10 tons and associate gas lines and copper line sets.
  • Assist medical professionals with several types of surgical procedures including obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics, general surgery, endoscopy, and genitourinary.
  • Prepare patients for MRI procedure by conducting intake interview, positioning patient for imaging and initiating contrast administration.

Site interpreter vs technical translator skills

Common site interpreter skills
  • Social Services, 35%
  • Historic Sites, 21%
  • Target Language, 20%
  • LEP, 6%
  • Interpretation Services, 6%
  • ASL, 4%
Common technical translator skills
  • Technical Translation, 13%
  • Technical Manuals, 12%
  • Proofreading, 11%
  • User Interface, 7%
  • Proofread, 7%
  • Technical Specifications, 7%

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