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Staff interpreter vs sign language interpreter

The differences between staff interpreters and sign language interpreters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a staff interpreter and a sign language interpreter. Additionally, a staff interpreter has an average salary of $43,714, which is higher than the $43,655 average annual salary of a sign language interpreter.

The top three skills for a staff interpreter include ASL, mental health and interpretation services. The most important skills for a sign language interpreter are customer service, ASL, and registry.

Staff interpreter vs sign language interpreter overview

Staff InterpreterSign Language Interpreter
Yearly salary$43,714$43,655
Hourly rate$21.02$20.99
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs71,80023,371
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Staff interpreter vs sign language interpreter salary

Staff interpreters and sign language interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Staff InterpreterSign Language Interpreter
Average salary$43,714$43,655
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $70,000Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Virginia
Best paying company-Kern Community College District
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between staff interpreter and sign language interpreter education

There are a few differences between a staff interpreter and a sign language interpreter in terms of educational background:

Staff InterpreterSign Language Interpreter
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorAmerican Sign LanguageAmerican Sign Language
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Staff interpreter vs sign language interpreter demographics

Here are the differences between staff interpreters' and sign language interpreters' demographics:

Staff InterpreterSign Language Interpreter
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 24.5% Female, 75.5%Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 11.5% White, 52.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between staff interpreter and sign language interpreter duties and responsibilities

Staff interpreter example responsibilities.

  • Help to build collaboration with internal and international patients with medical staff, social organizations and insurance companies.
  • Create education and promotional materials relate to Latino health and wellness.

Sign language interpreter example responsibilities.

  • Utilize basic ASL medical terminology to provide access and facilitate communication between adult patients and medical staff or doctor.
  • Provide interpretation services for patients in preparation for procedures, locations and other general information.
  • Perform consecutive interpretation services over the phone to provide quality interpretation between clients and LEP.
  • Tutor a deaf student in math and reading.
  • Translate and make subtitles in documentary and self produce films.
  • Work with students and staff/faculty to interpret sign-to-voice and voice-to sign.
  • Show more

Staff interpreter vs sign language interpreter skills

Common staff interpreter skills
  • ASL, 38%
  • Mental Health, 18%
  • Interpretation Services, 12%
  • Sign Language, 11%
  • LEP, 8%
  • Social Services, 6%
Common sign language interpreter skills
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • ASL, 20%
  • Registry, 8%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Sign Language, 6%
  • English Language, 5%

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