Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Interpreters and Translators
Also called: American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter), Court Interpreter, Educational Interpreter, Interpreter
US median pay
$60,170
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
6,000
73,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
- Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Instructing3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
- Persuasion2.9/5
Knowledge
- English Language4.7/5
- Foreign Language4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Administrative3.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree55%
- Master's degree28%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.