Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for translators in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- There are over 25,229 translators currently employed in the United States.
- 61.6% of all translators are women, while 38.4% are men.
- The average age of an employed translator is 41 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of translators is White (37.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (32.0%), Asian (18.4%) and Black or African American (6.1%).
- Translators are most in-demand in Greenwich, CT.
- Washington, DC pays an annual average wage of $79,490, the highest in the US.
- In 2021, women earned 93% of what men earned.
- District of Columbia is the best state for translators to live.
- Translators are 54% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
Translator Statistics By Gender
61.6% of translators are women and 38.4% of translators are men.
- Female, 61.6%
- Male, 38.4%
Translators By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 61.6% |
| Male | 38.4% |
Gender Pay Gap For Translator
Women Earn 93ยข For Every $1 Earned By Men
Translator Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the translator position over time.
Translator Gender By Year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 32.34% | 67.66% |
| 2011 | 37.77% | 62.23% |
| 2012 | 39.04% | 60.96% |
| 2013 | 38.69% | 61.31% |
| 2014 | 39.71% | 60.29% |
| 2015 | 35.92% | 64.08% |
| 2016 | 37.74% | 62.26% |
| 2017 | 38.31% | 61.69% |
| 2018 | 31.31% | 68.69% |
| 2019 | 33.50% | 66.50% |
| 2020 | 31.00% | 69.00% |
| 2021 | 38.36% | 61.64% |
Translator Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, public address announcer and track announcer have the biggest difference in gender.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Paraprofessional Interpreter | 12% | 88% |
| Deaf Interpreter | 15% | 85% |
| Fashion Journalist | 15% | 85% |
| Translator | 38% | 62% |
| Sports Announcer | 91% | 9% |
| Track Announcer | 92% | 8% |
| Public Address Announcer | 93% | 7% |
Translator Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among translators is White, which makes up 37.9% of all translators. Comparatively, there are 32.0% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 18.4% of the Asian ethnicity.
- White, 37.9%
- Hispanic or Latino, 32.0%
- Asian, 18.4%
- Black or African American, 6.1%
- Unknown, 5.3%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
Translator Race
| Translator Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 37.9% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 32.0% |
| Asian | 18.4% |
| Black or African American | 6.1% |
| Unknown | 5.3% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.3% |
Translator Race And Ethnicity Over Time
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among translators.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Translator Race By Year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 46.27% | 6.92% | 14.65% | 28.09% |
| 2011 | 43.69% | 5.67% | 16.35% | 29.76% |
| 2012 | 43.68% | 7.12% | 16.93% | 27.21% |
| 2013 | 46.07% | 6.60% | 15.50% | 27.00% |
| 2014 | 43.12% | 8.48% | 17.86% | 26.94% |
| 2015 | 45.98% | 6.63% | 17.37% | 26.42% |
| 2016 | 43.77% | 6.50% | 17.72% | 27.72% |
| 2017 | 47.21% | 6.95% | 15.88% | 25.65% |
| 2018 | 39.44% | 6.05% | 19.59% | 31.79% |
| 2019 | 45.64% | 6.18% | 16.69% | 27.30% |
| 2020 | 38.48% | 6.14% | 18.96% | 31.07% |
| 2021 | 37.91% | 6.13% | 18.43% | 32.00% |
Translator Wage Gap By Race
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $51,221 |
| White | $48,042 |
| Black or African American | $43,382 |
| Asian | $41,640 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $47,601 |
Average Age of a Translator
We determined the average age of translators based on ethnicity and gender.
Translator Age By Race
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 44 | |
| White | 36 | 40 |
| Black or African American | 39 | |
| Asian | 48.5 | 47 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 40 | 42 |
Translator Age Breakdown
This chart breaks down the ages of translator employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of translators is 40+ years old, which represents 52% of the population.
Translator Age
| Translator Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 52% |
| 30-40 years | 28% |
| 20-30 years | 20% |
Types of Translator Degree Levels
The most common degree for translators is bachelor's degree 60% of translators earn that degree. A close second is master's degree with 16% and rounding it off is associate degree with 9%.
- Bachelors, 60%
- Masters, 16%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 9%
Translators By Education
| Translator Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelors | 60% |
| Masters | 16% |
| Associate | 9% |
| High School Diploma | 6% |
| Other Degrees | 9% |
Translator Jobs You Might Like
Translator Wage Gap By Education
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $41,990 |
| Master's Degree | $50,785 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,702 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $46,453 |
Translator Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where translators work. We found most translators work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most translators is the professional industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire translators.
Translator Jobs By Employer Size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 9% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 14% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 22% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 7% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 24% |
| > 10,000 employees | 24% |
The Types Of Companies Translator Work In
Employees with the translator job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most translators prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Translator Jobs By Sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 18% |
| Public | 21% |
| Private | 54% |
| Government | 8% |
Top Industries Hiring Translators
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ translators. Those industries include professional, education and non profits.
Translator Industry Statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Professional | 16% |
| Education | 14% |
| Non Profits | 10% |
| Fortune 500 | 10% |
| Technology | 8% |
| Media | 5% |
| Government | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 5% |
| Health Care | 5% |
| Finance | 4% |
| Retail | 3% |
| Insurance | 3% |
| Hospitality | 2% |
| Transportation | 2% |
| Energy | 2% |
| Pharmaceutical | 1% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
Translator Turnover And Employment Statistics
Translator Unemployment Rate Over Time
The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of translators changed.
- Unemployment rate
Translator Unemployment Rate By Year
| Year | Translator Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 7.66% |
| 2011 | 6.79% |
| 2012 | 6.36% |
| 2013 | 6.86% |
| 2014 | 5.89% |
| 2015 | 4.90% |
| 2016 | 3.75% |
| 2017 | 3.59% |
| 2018 | 3.95% |
| 2019 | 4.57% |
| 2020 | 6.35% |
| 2021 | 6.78% |
The Average Number of Years That Translator Stay in a Job
By looking over 15,450 translators resumes, we figured out that the average translator enjoys staying at their job for Less than 1 year for a percentage of 31%.
Translator Tenure
| Number or Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 31% |
| 1-2 years | 30% |
| 3-4 years | 11% |
| 5-7 years | 13% |
| 8-10 years | 5% |
| 11+ years | 10% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Translators with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to translators.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Headline Writer | 10.10% | 10,192 |
| Anchor/Producer | 10.34% | 10,037 |
| Communications Associate | 12.01% | 21,721 |
| Assignment Editor | 12.38% | 11,919 |
| Translator | 14.90% | - |
| Greeting Card Writer | 16.36% | 10,264 |
| Disc Jockey | 16.36% | 1,991 |
Translator LGBT Demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Headline Writer | 10.10% | 10,192 |
| Anchor/Producer | 10.34% | 10,037 |
| Communications Associate | 12.01% | 21,721 |
| Assignment Editor | 12.38% | 11,919 |
| Greeting Card Writer | 16.36% | 10,264 |
| Disc Jockey | 16.36% | 1,991 |
Foreign Languages Spoken By Translators
The most common foreign language among translators is Spanish at 32.6%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 12.7% and Chinese is the third-most popular at 7.7%.
- Spanish, 32.6%
- French, 12.7%
- Chinese, 7.7%
- Japanese, 6.8%
- Russian, 5.6%
- Other, 34.6%
Translator Languages Spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 32.6% |
| French | 12.7% |
| Chinese | 7.7% |
| Japanese | 6.8% |
| Russian | 5.6% |
| Other | 34.6% |
