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The differences between translators and language translators 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 language translator. Additionally, a language translator has an average salary of $45,490, which is higher than the $44,278 average annual salary of a translator.
The top three skills for a translator include target language, translation services and vice versa. The most important skills for a language translator are proofreading, foreign language, and target language.
| Translator | Language Translator | |
| Yearly salary | $44,278 | $45,490 |
| Hourly rate | $21.29 | $21.87 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 1,206 | 21,450 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| 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.
Language translators are linguistic professionals who are responsible for converting information from one language to another to help people read the translation based on the original source. These translators must use a computer to translate the original language into their native language. They can work for software development companies as under contract independent foreign language translators. They must utilize target language to translate and transcribe critical information and performing immediate data analysis. Language translators must also provide interpretations for meetings, conferences, and administrative hearings for any sponsored functions.
Translators and language translators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Translator | Language Translator | |
| Average salary | $44,278 | $45,490 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $70,000 | Between $29,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Apple | Bloomberg |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a translator and a language translator in terms of educational background:
| Translator | Language Translator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | English | English |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between translators' and language translators' demographics:
| Translator | Language Translator | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% | Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6% |
| 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, 6.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 31.5% Asian, 18.0% White, 38.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |