Overview
SourcedInterpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
O*NET definition of Interpreters and Translators (SOC 27-3091) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Interpreters and Translators (SOC 27-3091) naming each level as required to be hired, 22 respondents, O*NET survey August 2021. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedInterpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They also must be proficient in English and at least one other language, as well as in the interpretation or translation service they intend to provide.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Interpreters and Translators”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 27-3091
- None
- Job zone
- Considerable Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialCivil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / Assistant
- Level I
- Level II (journey)
- Level III / Senior
- Lead / Principal
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director / Division Chief
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 370 | $79,440 | $91,170 | $106,950 | $121,830 | $136,590 |
| State | 2,770 | $47,710 | $60,490 | $74,620 | $94,460 | $106,240 |
| Local | 11,920 | $38,950 | $48,010 | $60,070 | $76,430 | $98,350 |
| All government | 15,060 | $39,670 | $49,020 | $62,180 | $80,610 | $102,600 |
| Private sector | 37,010 | $36,400 | $44,820 | $58,490 | $80,900 | $104,330 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2021). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.4.9
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.4.7
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.4.5
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.4.5
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.4.4
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.4.3
- Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.4.3
- Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.4.2
The 8 most important of 8 core tasks for Interpreters and Translators, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2021.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Court Interpreter Written Exam and Bilingual Interpreting Exam (BIE) Written Exam (English, court-related terms and usage, ethics; 80% to pass), then the BIE: a four-part oral exam passed in one seating with at least 70% in each section, covering three modes of interpreting. | Judicial Council of California, Court Interpreters Program | CA | certification | Official page |
| Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE) Two phases: computer-administered written screener (multiple-choice English and Spanish proficiency) and an oral exam of sight translation, simultaneous and consecutive interpretation; Spanish/English only; written exam next offered in 2027. | Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts | U.S. Courts (federal judiciary) | certification | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
Court Interpreter Written Examination (NCSC / BEI)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Federal and State Court Interpreter CredentialingEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination (FCICE)Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Interpreters and Translators (SOC 27-3091) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 280 | $58,720 | $109,970 | $128,610 |
| Maryland | 1,150 | $51,660 | $88,550 | $120,900 |
| New York | 3,240 | $48,930 | $84,090 | $127,350 |
| Rhode Island | 200 | $51,450 | $82,320 | $134,270 |
| Massachusetts | 2,280 | $49,650 | $72,750 | $131,900 |
| Colorado | 800 | $51,230 | $71,790 | $105,180 |
| California | 5,560 | $49,530 | $70,770 | $119,810 |
| Connecticut | 280 | $40,840 | $68,340 | $128,760 |
| Minnesota | 1,030 | $52,290 | $66,410 | $91,150 |
| Oregon | 660 | $47,090 | $66,300 | $95,770 |
| Idaho | 300 | $42,740 | $66,130 | $101,500 |
| Utah | 850 | $46,140 | $65,770 | $86,360 |
| New Mexico | 360 | $31,120 | $63,550 | $99,860 |
| Maine | 90 | $50,450 | $63,470 | $99,050 |
| Wisconsin | 1,410 | $40,390 | $63,390 | $88,460 |
| Virginia | 1,630 | $43,160 | $63,030 | $123,490 |
| Vermont | 80 | $48,050 | $62,450 | $113,460 |
| Washington | 1,250 | $44,640 | $61,750 | $105,710 |
| Ohio | 2,030 | $39,300 | $61,230 | $91,920 |
| New Jersey | 870 | $33,170 | $58,970 | $176,910 |
| Georgia | 1,600 | $35,370 | $57,880 | $98,980 |
| Mississippi | 80 | $33,020 | $57,130 | $83,740 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,420 | $38,580 | $57,040 | $104,120 |
| Missouri | 440 | $39,790 | $57,010 | $94,320 |
| New Hampshire | 240 | $47,610 | $56,370 | $61,900 |
| Illinois | 1,510 | $37,990 | $55,290 | $82,370 |
| Kentucky | 480 | $35,160 | $53,590 | $81,800 |
| South Dakota | 230 | $36,730 | $53,140 | $75,320 |
| Nebraska | 570 | $41,860 | $53,050 | $87,480 |
| Arkansas | 220 | $32,170 | $52,490 | $80,770 |
| Tennessee | 710 | $32,280 | $51,080 | $78,480 |
| South Carolina | 520 | $36,860 | $50,860 | $75,310 |
| Nevada | 320 | $37,470 | $50,370 | $70,160 |
| Arizona | 2,070 | $32,280 | $50,150 | $99,070 |
| North Carolina | 1,780 | $34,510 | $50,030 | $101,110 |
| Oklahoma | 320 | $27,790 | $48,980 | $82,750 |
| Florida | 4,200 | $34,290 | $48,930 | $99,590 |
| Louisiana | 120 | $29,910 | $48,420 | $79,040 |
| North Dakota | 130 | $39,650 | $48,190 | $73,030 |
| Iowa | 560 | $34,330 | $48,150 | $67,290 |
| Indiana | 1,170 | $41,460 | $48,140 | $80,810 |
| Kansas | 470 | $32,850 | $47,950 | $88,830 |
| Montana | 60 | $38,520 | $47,850 | $60,940 |
| Texas | 6,780 | $31,500 | $47,510 | $89,140 |
| Alabama | 310 | $33,050 | $46,130 | $98,660 |
| Michigan | 940 | $35,990 | $45,310 | $88,630 |
| Hawaii | 60 | $36,910 | $42,270 | $92,150 |
47 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules