How much does a translator make?
Answer: A typical translator in the United States makes $60,170 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 52,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Translator pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,070 | $60,170 | $103,660 | about 52,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $88,550 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $84,090 | about 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | about 2,000 |
| Colorado | $71,790 | about 800 |
| California | $70,770 | about 6,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with language demand, specialty, experience, education or certification, employer, and location. Part-time work and changing schedules can also affect total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a translator do?
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
What's a typical day like?
An interpreter may listen in a hospital or courtroom and quickly repeat each message in another language. A translator may work at a computer, checking and revising a document before a deadline.
How to get this job
In the U.S., become highly skilled in English and another language and usually earn a bachelor’s degree, often in languages, business, or communications. Certification is optional for many jobs, but most states require it for court interpreters.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and creating.
Did you know?
For long assignments, U.S. simultaneous interpreters may work in pairs or small teams because the work can cause mental fatigue.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/interpreters-and-translators.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-3091.00
- www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Guidance-on-Becoming-a-Professional-Tra
- www.atanet.org/career-education
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY