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The differences between translators and bilingual 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 translator and a bilingual interpreter. Additionally, a translator has an average salary of $44,278, which is higher than the $44,168 average annual salary of a bilingual interpreter.
The top three skills for a translator include target language, translation services and vice versa. The most important skills for a bilingual interpreter are patients, translation services, and interpretation services.
| Translator | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Yearly salary | $44,278 | $44,168 |
| Hourly rate | $21.29 | $21.23 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 1,206 | 5,338 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A translator is an expert of one or multiple languages, responsible for transcribing communication between parties for easy comprehension. Translators often work with written documents, relaying the core context and original message from the source. They should also be able to translate jargon, slang, cultural expressions, and related technical terms in an understandable format, depending on the level of the target audience. A translator must be highly fluent with the language to render ideas accurately, as well as have excellent time-management skills to meet project deadlines.
A bilingual interpreter is responsible for translating communications from one language to another without compromising the focus of the context. Bilingual interpreters manage verbal and written interactions between parties, including the translation of complicated terminologies to comprehensive statements with the same meaning. They should be excellently familiar with the style and structure of their language expertise to translate codes effectively. A bilingual interpreter must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as coordinating with different kinds of people efficiently to assist clients in their daily tasks.
Translators and bilingual interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Translator | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Average salary | $44,278 | $44,168 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $70,000 | Between $27,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Apple | Randolph Health |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a translator and a bilingual interpreter in terms of educational background:
| Translator | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | English | Business |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between translators' and bilingual interpreters' demographics:
| Translator | Bilingual Interpreter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% | Male, 35.1% Female, 64.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 32.0% Asian, 18.4% White, 37.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 47.2% Asian, 11.0% White, 32.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |