Media & Communications
Translator Salary
Translators convert written materials between languages, preserving meaning and context.
Median Salary
$57,090
Mean Salary
$62,400
Total Employed
68,200
Job Growth
+4%
Translator Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level translators earn around $35,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $58,000. Senior-level translators can earn $95,000 or more.
Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$35,000 Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,000 Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$95,000 Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for translators varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $32,000, while the top 10% earn $101,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $57,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $101,000 |
Translator Salary by State
Translator salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $97,053, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $47,385.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $97,053 | Details → |
| #2 California | $78,784 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $77,072 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $70,792 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $69,650 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $65,654 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $65,654 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $63,941 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $62,799 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $62,799 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $59,945 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $59,945 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $59,945 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $59,374 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $57,661 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $57,661 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $55,948 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $55,948 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $55,377 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $55,377 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $55,377 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $55,377 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $54,806 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $54,236 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $54,236 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $53,665 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $53,094 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $53,094 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $52,523 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $52,523 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $52,523 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $52,523 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $51,952 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $51,381 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $51,381 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $51,381 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $51,381 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $51,381 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $50,810 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $50,810 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $50,810 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $50,239 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $50,239 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $49,668 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $49,668 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $49,668 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $49,097 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $47,956 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $47,956 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $47,385 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Translate documents between languages
- ● Preserve meaning and tone
- ● Specialize in technical fields
- ● Proofread translations
- ● Use CAT tools
Top Skills
Bilingual Fluency CAT Tools Cultural Knowledge Proofreading Subject Matter Expertise Attention to Detail
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade