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Interpreters and Translators

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeModerate pressure

What they do

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

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $60,170 Median per year · $28.93/hr Most earn $37,070–$103,660

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.
  • Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
  • Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
  • Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
  • Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
  • Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 6,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)27.6%
  • Elementary and secondary schools11.2%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals6.4%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals3.0%
  • Offices of physicians2.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Interpreting and translating usually requires a bachelor's degree plus about 1 to 2 years of related work, so it is rarely an entry-level job straight out of school. Many people build language skills in school, then work in a job that uses those languages before moving into interpreting or translating.

  1. Bachelor's degree in a foreign language, linguistics, or translation studies

    4 years

    You build advanced fluency in at least one other language, plus strong writing and cultural knowledge that employers look for.

  2. English as a Second Language (ESL) Instructor

    1-2 years

    Teaching adults or students who are learning English strengthens your ability to explain language clearly and work across cultures, and it builds real-world experience.

  3. Interpreter and Translator

    Ongoing

    You work with clients or documents in both languages, and you may earn certification in a specialty such as medical or legal work, where your skills are tested.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Interpreter

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on harder assignments, mentor newer interpreters, and often handle quality checks; moving up usually means a strong track record and specialty certification.

  2. Foreign Language and Literature Teacher, Postsecondary

    2-4 years of prior experience, plus a doctoral or professional degree of experience first

    You move into college teaching and research, which typically requires a doctoral degree and more years of study and experience.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take as many world language classes as you canAdvanced levels of a second language are the foundation for interpreting and translating work later.
  • Take English and writing-focused classesStrong writing and reading skills in English help you translate meaning accurately and clearly.
  • Join a language club or world culture clubPracticing with peers and learning about other cultures builds fluency and confidence speaking in front of others.
  • Volunteer as a bilingual helperHelping at community events, libraries, or family services gives you real practice switching between languages.
  • Look for a customer-facing part-time jobWorking with customers, especially ones who speak your second language, builds practical speaking skills.

In college

  • Major or minor in a foreign language, linguistics, or translation studiesStructured study of grammar, culture, and language theory prepares you for the bachelor's degree this career usually requires.
  • Pursue an internship at a translation company, court, hospital, or community organizationHands-on work with real documents or interpreting assignments builds experience that counts toward the 1 to 2 years employers usually expect.
  • Get a campus job in the language center or international student officeThese jobs let you use your languages daily and often connect you with professionals who work in the field.
  • Study abroad or join a language immersion programLiving where your second language is spoken builds fluency and cultural understanding that are hard to gain in a classroom alone.
  • Join a language or translation student organizationClubs offer practice sessions, guest speakers, and networking with people already working as interpreters or translators.

Tips for getting started

  • Get certified in a specialty you care about, such as medical, legal, or conference interpreting, since some workplaces require credentials.
  • Practice both languages every day, through reading, conversation, and media, because fluency is what clients and employers test first.
  • Build real experience early by helping with translations or interpreting for family, school events, or community groups, and keep a simple portfolio of your work.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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