CFChooseField
Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Interpreters and Translators

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Interpreters and Translators
Download graphic

Median pay

$59,440
Median annual pay for Interpreters and Translators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

1.7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

6,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

75,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Interpreters and Translators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+1,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Interpreters and Translators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Writing
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Monitoring

Knowledge areas

  1. 1English Language
  2. 2Foreign Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Administrative
  6. 6Public Safety and Security

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Written Expression
  5. 5Speech Clarity
  6. 6Speech Recognition

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Artistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Realistic

Work styles

  1. 1Integrity
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Intellectual Curiosity
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  2. 2Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  5. 5Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  2. 2Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Frequency of Decision Making

Representative 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.
  • Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
  • Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
  • Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
  • Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.

Software and tools

Microsoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandProductivity software · in demandMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyHypertext markup language HTML · hot technologyAceTools.biz Ace TranslatorStormdance CatsCradleSmart Link Corporation ImTranslatorOmegaT

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.