Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Interpreters and Translators
SOC: 27-3091 O*NET: 27-3091.00
Median Salary
$59,440
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.7%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
What does a Interpreters and Translators do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,630
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,020
25th percentile
Median
$59,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$80,020
75th percentile
Top Earners
$99,830
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,630
25th
$45,020
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,440
Mean: $64,950
75th
$80,020
90th
$99,830
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $64,200 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,020 and $80,020
- •Salary spread is 58.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 53,360 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:75,300
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services39.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services39.5%
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services36.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.7%
Annual Openings:6,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)75,300
Current
2034 (Projected)76,600
+1.7%
+1,300
Employment Change
+1.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Interpreters and Translators professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
6,710 jobs$73,5101.07x
Texas
5,820 jobs$45,6101.21x
Florida
4,500 jobs$46,3201.32x
New York
3,650 jobs$84,6501.11x
Virginia
2,610 jobs$74,2501.86x
Massachusetts
2,250 jobs$65,4901.79x
Arizona
2,040 jobs$48,2001.84x
Illinois
1,860 jobs$53,8700.89x
North Carolina
1,800 jobs$50,8301.06x
Georgia
1,730 jobs$61,6101.03x
Ohio
1,670 jobs$57,8500.87x
Washington
1,620 jobs$69,6201.32x
Oregon
1,220 jobs$61,5201.80x
Wisconsin
1,190 jobs$61,0001.18x
New Jersey
1,090 jobs$45,1200.74x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Massage Therapists100%
5 shared skills
Physical Therapist Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Interpreters and Translators
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechHypertext markup language HTML
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Hypertext markup language HTML
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Interpreters and Translators
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Interpreters and Translators professionals typically have a CAS Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
AArtistic
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Interpreters and Translators
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.73
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.57
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.43
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.41
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.21
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Dependability
4.5
Independence
4.4
Cooperation
4.4
Self-Control
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Initiative
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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