Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between translators and sign language 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 sign language interpreter. Additionally, a translator has an average salary of $44,278, which is higher than the $43,655 average annual salary of a sign language interpreter.
The top three skills for a translator include target language, translation services and vice versa. The most important skills for a sign language interpreter are customer service, ASL, and registry.
| Translator | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Yearly salary | $44,278 | $43,655 |
| Hourly rate | $21.29 | $20.99 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 1,206 | 23,371 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| 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 sign language interpreter specializes in bridging the communication gap for people with hearing or speaking difficulties using American Sign Language (ASL) and other sign languages. Interpreters may work for a company or independently; they may also interpret for one-on-one communication or public engagements. The responsibilities of a sign language interpreter depend on the situation or environment. Besides helping clients convey and receive messages, they may also build rapport with clients to make them feel at ease, manage schedules, and perform calls.
Translators and sign language interpreters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Translator | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Average salary | $44,278 | $43,655 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $70,000 | Between $26,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Apple | Kern Community College District |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a translator and a sign language interpreter in terms of educational background:
| Translator | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | English | American Sign Language |
| Most common college | Harvard University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between translators' and sign language interpreters' demographics:
| Translator | Sign Language Interpreter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% | Male, 24.1% Female, 75.9% |
| 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, 7.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 11.8% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |