Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Translator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a translator. Translators usually study english, linguistics, or business. 60% of translators hold a bachelor's degree, and 16% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 15,450 real translator resumes to see exactly what translator education sections show.
The most common colleges for translators are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online translator courses to help get the education required to be a translator.
There are certain translator certifications that you should consider. These translator certifications include Certified Translator and Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
What education do you need to become a translator?
What degree do you need to be a translator?
- Bachelor's, 60%
- Master's, 16%
- Associate, 9%
- High School Diploma, 6%
- Other Degrees, 9%
What should I major in to become a translator?
- English, 21%
- Linguistics, 12%
- Business, 12%
- Psychology, 5%
- Other Majors, 50%
Most common colleges for translators
| Translator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 9.23% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 8.34% |
| University of California - Davis | 8.22% |
| National University | 7.33% |
| Brigham Young University | 5.69% |
Best majors for translators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | 21.0% |
| 2 | Linguistics | 12.0% |
| 3 | Business | 11.8% |
| 4 | Psychology | 5.1% |
| 5 | Political Science | 4.9% |
Best colleges for translators
The best colleges for translators are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A translator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for translators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become translators.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
4. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
20 best online courses for translators
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Translational Science
Translational science seeks to speed up the process of moving research discoveries from the laboratory into healthcare practices. Numerous scientific and organizational roadblocks can act as obstacles along the path of translation and ultimately hinder the speed of progress in medical research. The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) was established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to transform and accelerate the translational research process, with the...
2. Translational Science
An introduction to the field of Translational Science and its applications to improve patient and community health through the four stages of translational research.\n\nTranslational science is the process of turning observations in the laboratory, clinic, and community into interventions that improve the health of individuals and populations.\n\nAs the translational research enterprise — both in the United States and internationally — continues to expand, there is a growing need to increase...
3. Work From Home in Translation Upwork Translation Course
Master Translation Cat Tools, Be a Freelance Translator on Upwork, and Find Work From Home Jobs!...
4. How to Become a Translator without a Degree
Step-by-Step guide to Starting a Location-independent Freelance Translation Career without a Translation degree...
5. How to get hired as a Freelance Translator. Get more clients
Earn a Living in Freelance Translation: A Step-by-Step Course with Expert Guidance. Get hired for translation jobs...
6. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
Learn a proven strategy for writing software docu in Git Hub wiki based on the 12 main principles of technical writing!...
7. Technical Writing: How to Write API Software Documentation
A framework for writing software documentation for an API as a technical writer, using Postman or Swagger UI...
8. Website Localization For Translators
Learn how to to translate and localize websites to specialize as a website translator and localizer...
9. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
10. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First
Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...
11. Business Writing & Technical Writing Immersion
Effective Writing Technical Documentation Writing System Software Documentation Emails PPTs...
12. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
13. The New Trainer's Guide to Creating End User Documentation
Learn quick, easy and practical technical writing skills to write great end user software documentation - FAST...
14. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
15. The Art of API Documentation
API Documentation 3: Teaches technical writers how to write API overview material, tutorials, etc...
16. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
17. Start Improving Customer Service
Creating a Customer Service advantage in Your department or business through communication and Customer Management...
18. Java Web Services
Learn how to design,create , consume and secure SOAP and REST web services from scratch in easy steps...
19. Customer Service: Keep 'em coming back!
How to give the best customer service in your industry and keep those customers raving about your business...
20. Customer Service Basics: Improve your Service now
The basic golden rules to kickstart your service...
Top 10 most affordable universities for translators
The most affordable schools for translators are Hunter College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for translators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for translators.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,140
Cost of attendance
14,430
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for translators
The hardest universities for translators to get into are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for translators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for translators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
7. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
8. Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,488
9. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for translators
The easiest schools for translators to get into are D'Youville College, holy names university, and san francisco state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a translator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for translators.
1. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
6. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
Average translator salary by education level
| Translator education level | Translator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,785 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $41,990 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,702 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $46,453 |
Translator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for translator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025