Interpreters and Translators Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in the U.S. is $60,170 ($28.93 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $60,170
- Mean annual wage
- $66,360
- Median hourly wage
- $28.93
- Employment
- 52,060
52,060 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Median (50th) | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| 75th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| 90th percentile | $103,660 | $49.84 |
Highest-paying states for interpreters and translators
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109,970 | 280 |
| Maryland | $88,550 | 1,150 |
| New York | $84,090 | 3,240 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | 2,280 |
| Colorado | $71,790 | 800 |
| California | $70,770 | 5,560 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 | 280 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 | 1,030 |
| Oregon | $66,300 | 660 |
Lowest-paying states
- Hawaii: $42,270 median annual wage
- Michigan: $45,310 median annual wage
- Alabama: $46,130 median annual wage
- Texas: $47,510 median annual wage
- Montana: $47,850 median annual wage
About this occupation
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Typical tasks
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
- Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
- Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 2.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.0% |
| Some college, no degree | 17.8% |
| Associate's degree | 13.6% |
| Bachelor's degree | 34.7% |
| Master's degree | 16.2% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 4.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.