What does a technical translator do?
Technical Translation is the act of translating materials in a specific technical or scientific subject domain. A Technical Translator understands the nitty-gritty of the subject matter and knows the specialized terms in that field in both the source and secondary languages. This individual works to produce translations and interpretations of either written or oral communications of one language to another for a specific purpose or industry. As a Technical Translator, your duties may include interpreting conferences and emails in an organization.
Technical translator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real technical translator resumes:
- 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.
Technical translator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Technical Translators are proficient in Technical Translation, Technical Manuals, and Proofreading. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Concentration, and Cultural sensitivity.
We break down the percentage of Technical Translators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Technical Translation, 13%
Provided technical translation and interpretation services at the Arkansas Nuclear One power plant for Japanese engineers witnessing refueling operations.
- Technical Manuals, 12%
Utilized knowledge of Spanish semantics and technical Spanish terms to translate technical manuals for The McGraw-Hill Companies.
- Proofreading, 11%
Assisted other translators with reviewing and proofreading technical documentation.
- User Interface, 7%
Translated User Interface specifications into Japanese.
- Proofread, 7%
Translated, proofread and tested new versions of ERP software (BPCS) and documentation.
- Technical Specifications, 7%
Translated patents and technical specifications from Japanese to English for the parent company Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan.
Common skills that a technical translator uses to do their job include "technical translation," "technical manuals," and "proofreading." You can find details on the most important technical translator responsibilities below.
Business skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a technical translator to have is business skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "self-employed interpreters and translators must be able to manage their finances." Technical translators often use business skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "completed the translation of training materials and 800 business process procedures (bpps) in 9 months. "
Concentration. Another essential skill to perform technical translator duties is concentration. Technical translators responsibilities require that "interpreters and translators must be able to focus while others are speaking or moving around them." Technical translators also use concentration in their role according to a real resume snippet: "utilized language skills to teach arabic, with a concentration on idioms and nuances of words and expression. "
Cultural sensitivity. This is an important skill for technical translators to perform their duties. For an example of how technical translator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "interpreters and translators must be aware of expectations among the people for whom they are helping to facilitate communication." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a technical translator: "served as cultural adviser to us military in afghan relationship-building, communication, & cultural issues. ".
Dexterity. A big part of what technical translators do relies on "dexterity." You can see how essential it is to technical translator responsibilities because "sign language interpreters must be able to make quick and coordinated hand, finger, and arm movements when interpreting." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical technical translator tasks: "completed 640 hours of hands - on clinical support in the operating room to ensure safe and effective perioperative patient care. "
Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for technical translator responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of technical translators all the time, as "interpreters and translators must be able to put clients and others at ease." An excerpt from a real technical translator resume shows how this skill is central to what a technical translator does: "utilize excellent interpersonal skills to place patients at ease for venipuncture procedures. "
The three companies that hire the most technical translators are:
- Leidos6 technical translators jobs
- Boston Public Schools4 technical translators jobs
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center2 technical translators jobs
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Technical translator vs. 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. Apart from having excellent communication skills, a court interpreter should also possess extensive knowledge of the legal industry to understand and interpret terms accordingly. They also translate legal documents for court reference. In some cases, a court interpreter may also read the statements beforehand to have a good grasp of courtroom procedures.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between technical translators and court interpreter. For instance, technical translator responsibilities require skills such as "technical translation," "technical manuals," "proofreading," and "user interface." Whereas a court interpreter is skilled in "criminal justice," "vice versa," "court cases," and "court hearings." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Court interpreters really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $59,820. Comparatively, technical translators tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $76,753.court interpreters tend to reach similar levels of education than technical translators. In fact, court interpreters are 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Technical translator vs. 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. Additionally, you are responsible for translating messages into one language orally using hand signs and explaining translation requirements to clients. As a pier diem interpreter, you are also responsible for checking translated texts for technical terminology.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that technical translator responsibilities requires skills like "technical translation," "technical manuals," "proofreading," and "user interface." But a per diem interpreter might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "per diem," "customer service," and "bls."
On average, per diem interpreters earn a lower salary than technical translators. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, per diem interpreters earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $52,530. Whereas technical translators have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $76,753.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Per diem interpreters tend to reach similar levels of education than technical translators. In fact, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Technical translator vs. Interpreter
An interpreter is responsible for facilitating communication between different language speakers by translating information from one language to another for easy comprehension. Some interpreters work on spoken languages while the rest specialize in sign languages. Interpreters must have strong knowledge and expertise in their chosen language to translate communication accurately and efficiently. They should also provide written texts as needed, especially in the transcription and publishing industry. Interpreters must be detail-oriented all the time to communicate the message effectively without altering its core content.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from technical translator resumes include skills like "technical translation," "technical manuals," "proofreading," and "user interface," whereas an interpreter is more likely to list skills in "patients," "customer service," "asl," and "medical terminology. "
Interpreters earn the best pay in the government industry, where they command an average salary of $55,265. Technical translators earn the highest pay from the finance industry, with an average salary of $76,753.When it comes to education, interpreters tend to earn similar degree levels compared to technical translators. In fact, they're 4.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Technical translator vs. Cryptologic linguist
Cryptologic linguists are lingual professionals who are responsible for using signals equipment to identify and analyze foreign communications. These linguists must assist intelligence community analysts in translating open source and sensitive materials as well as producing comprehensive reports about the daily activities of their enemies. They are required to supervise a team of other linguistic professionals to provide transcriptions and analysis from foreign communications. Cryptologic linguists must also identify the languages spoken at target geographic areas of interest.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between technical translators and cryptologic linguists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a technical translator might have more use for skills like "technical translation," "technical manuals," "proofreading," and "user interface." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of cryptologic linguists require skills like "tip," "national security," "signals intelligence," and "language training. "
In general, cryptologic linguists hold lower degree levels compared to technical translators. Cryptologic linguists are 10.7% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of technical translator
Updated January 8, 2025











