How to hire a technical translator

How to hire a technical translator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step technical translator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a technical translator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new technical translator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a technical translator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The technical translator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect technical translator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of technical translators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Technical Translator	Description	Hourly rate
   Technical Translator	Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language; translators work in written language.	$17-37
   Court Interpreter	A court interpreter is responsible for translating one language to another in real-time in a courtroom setting. Court interpreters work closely with clients and law officers to relay accurate and reliable information from the actual context... Show more	$12-34
   Per Diem Interpreter	A per diem interpreter is responsible for interpreting sign or oral language and translating text from one specific language into another. You will perform several tasks that include adapting translations to students' grade and cognitive levels, working closely with other educational team members when necessary, and proofreading, revising, and editing translated materials... Show more	$12-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Technical Translation
   • Technical Manuals
   • Proofreading
   • User Interface
   • Proofread
   • Technical Specifications
   • HTML
   • R
   • Translation Services
   • FrameMaker
   • Training Materials
   • DMS
   • Web Pages
   • Translation Projects

   Check all skills

   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.

   More technical translator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your technical translator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A technical translator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, technical translators' average salary in nevada is 56% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level technical translators 53% less than senior-level technical translators.
   • Certifications. A technical translator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a technical translator's salary.

   Average technical translator salary

   $55,019yearly

   $26.45 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level technical translator salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average technical translator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$91,558	$44
   2	Virginia	$75,367	$36
   3	California	$73,838	$36
   4	New York	$71,122	$34
   5	Colorado	$68,373	$33
   6	Massachusetts	$64,585	$31
   7	Washington	$64,049	$31
   8	Maryland	$61,105	$29
   9	Texas	$57,384	$28
   10	Kentucky	$56,821	$27
   11	Pennsylvania	$52,923	$25
   12	Delaware	$52,869	$25
   13	Michigan	$50,615	$24
   14	Illinois	$49,674	$24
   15	New Mexico	$48,562	$23
   16	Ohio	$45,925	$22
   17	Indiana	$45,255	$22
   18	Florida	$44,467	$21
   19	Nevada	$39,864	$19

   Average technical translator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$119,278	$57.35	20
   2	AIG	$93,338	$44.87	16
   3	Bloomberg	$92,389	$44.42	31
   4	Amd	$86,702	$41.68	3
   5	I.T. Consortium	$84,887	$40.81
   6	Oracle	$78,628	$37.80	4,133
   7	Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle	$77,542	$37.28
   8	Greenblum & Bernstein, P.l.c.	$76,306	$36.69
   9	Digital Technology	$75,218	$36.16
   10	Enagic Usa	$72,473	$34.84
   11	Wolfram	$71,468	$34.36
   12	MasterWord	$70,723	$34.00
   13	Osha Liang LLP	$70,589	$33.94
   14	NI	$70,060	$33.68
   15	KYOCERA Document Solutions Development America	$69,511	$33.42
   16	Lissner & Lissner	$69,192	$33.27
   17	GMB North America	$68,709	$33.03
   18	Trans Z Tech	$68,656	$33.01
   19	Boston Public Schools	$68,419	$32.89	1
   20	Fresenius Kabi	$68,274	$32.82	1

4. Writing a technical translator job description

   A technical translator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a technical translator job description:

   Technical translator job description example

   SUBFUNCTION DEFINITION: Manufactures and tests cell in gene therapy products for internal and external phase I/II clinical trials.
   
   Regulated manufacturing processing; testing and other related tasks; analyze data; equipment maintenance; record-keeping.
   REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
   
   * Manufacturing
   
   Perform manufacturing/processing activities, process development, quality control, and high complexity analysis as directed following established SOPs and protocols. Complete accurate and detailed records and all documentation as required for compliance to GxP. Complete and maintain training required to perform assigned tasks. Maintain cell cultures. Design and execute daily laboratory work. Analyze data, perform statistical and graphical analysis of data, and interpret results. Understand the scientific principles involved in the research and work being performed and apply those principles to improve techniques as appropriate. Maintain an active role in laboratory's meetings, presentations, and publications. Contributes material for reports, publications, journal articles, and abstracts.
   
   * Operations
   
   Perform day-to-day translational core laboratory operations including cleanroom facilities maintenance and equipment maintenance plus fee-for-service support as assigned. Operate standard laboratory equipment according to protocol. Promptly respond to and troubleshoot erroneous results or problems with laboratory equipment or facilities. Order supplies from vendors and storeroom and ensure proper storage requirements are met. Report facility and equipment failure and alarms to laboratory management or QA team.
   
   * Compliance
   
   Perform work with a high level of integrity and honesty. Practice a high level of integrity in maintaining confidentiality. Maintain required documentation systems. Willing and able to assist in daily operations of the laboratory including answering phone, organizing and cleaning of laboratory. Provides appropriate safety monitoring checks as assigned (radiation safety, biosafety, etc.) Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   * Process Improvement
   
   Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and protocols. Cooperate with performance improvement initiatives and other compliance activities. Cooperate with Quality Assurance group to ensure the quality of product, test results and compliance. Perform assigned duties strictly according to SOP. Maintain required proficiency and competency requirements.
   
   * Training & Development
   
   Assist in training laboratory personnel. May act as a mentor to more junior staff. Serve as the contact for resolution of complex issues, provide education, guidance and work direction. May provide input and feedback to managers on hiring decisions, professional development and performance management.
   
   EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
   
   Required:
   
   * Bachelor's degree in a related field
   * 0 - 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline
   
   Cincinnati Children's is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and treasures Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families (EEO/AA).

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right technical translator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with technical translators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit technical translators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   To find technical translator candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit technical translators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new technical translator

   Once you have selected a candidate for the technical translator position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new technical translator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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