Interpreters and Translators Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $60,170 · Median hourly: $28.93 · Employment: 52,060
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 25th | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Median | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| 75th | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| 90th | $103,660 | $49.84 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-3091
- Total U.S. employment: 52,060
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The mean wage of $66,360 sits 10.3% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $28.93 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $60,174 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $60,170.
Interpreters and Translators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,130 | $22.18 | -23.3% | 310 |
| Alaska | — | — | — | 150 |
| Arizona | $50,150 | $24.11 | -16.7% | 2,070 |
| Arkansas | $52,490 | $25.24 | -12.8% | 220 |
| California | $70,770 | $34.02 | +17.6% | 5,560 |
| Colorado | $71,790 | $34.51 | +19.3% | 800 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 | $32.85 | +13.6% | 280 |
| Delaware | — | — | — | 110 |
| District of Columbia | $109,970 | $52.87 | +82.8% | 280 |
| Florida | $48,930 | $23.53 | -18.7% | 4,200 |
| Georgia | $57,880 | $27.83 | -3.8% | 1,600 |
| Hawaii | $42,270 | $20.32 | -29.7% | 60 |
| Idaho | $66,130 | $31.80 | +9.9% | 300 |
| Illinois | $55,290 | $26.58 | -8.1% | 1,510 |
| Indiana | $48,140 | $23.14 | -20.0% | 1,170 |
| Iowa | $48,150 | $23.15 | -20.0% | 560 |
| Kansas | $47,950 | $23.05 | -20.3% | 470 |
| Kentucky | $53,590 | $25.77 | -10.9% | 480 |
| Louisiana | $48,420 | $23.28 | -19.5% | 120 |
| Maine | $63,470 | $30.51 | +5.5% | 90 |
| Maryland | $88,550 | $42.57 | +47.2% | 1,150 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | $34.98 | +20.9% | 2,280 |
| Michigan | $45,310 | $21.78 | -24.7% | 940 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 | $31.93 | +10.4% | 1,030 |
| Mississippi | $57,130 | $27.47 | -5.1% | 80 |
| Missouri | $57,010 | $27.41 | -5.3% | 440 |
| Montana | $47,850 | $23.01 | -20.5% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $53,050 | $25.51 | -11.8% | 570 |
| Nevada | $50,370 | $24.21 | -16.3% | 320 |
| New Hampshire | $56,370 | $27.10 | -6.3% | 240 |
| New Jersey | $58,970 | $28.35 | -2.0% | 870 |
| New Mexico | $63,550 | $30.55 | +5.6% | 360 |
| New York | $84,090 | $40.43 | +39.8% | 3,240 |
| North Carolina | $50,030 | $24.05 | -16.9% | 1,780 |
| North Dakota | $48,190 | $23.17 | -19.9% | 130 |
| Ohio | $61,230 | $29.44 | +1.8% | 2,030 |
| Oklahoma | $48,980 | $23.55 | -18.6% | 320 |
| Oregon | $66,300 | $31.88 | +10.2% | 660 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,040 | $27.42 | -5.2% | 1,420 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 | $39.58 | +36.8% | 200 |
| South Carolina | $50,860 | $24.45 | -15.5% | 520 |
| South Dakota | $53,140 | $25.55 | -11.7% | 230 |
| Tennessee | $51,080 | $24.56 | -15.1% | 710 |
| Texas | $47,510 | $22.84 | -21.0% | 6,780 |
| Utah | $65,770 | $31.62 | +9.3% | 850 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | $30.02 | +3.8% | 80 |
| Virginia | $63,030 | $30.30 | +4.8% | 1,630 |
| Washington | $61,750 | $29.69 | +2.6% | 1,250 |
| West Virginia | — | — | — | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $63,390 | $30.48 | +5.4% | 1,410 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for interpreters and translators?
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators is $60,170 ($28.93 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays interpreters and translators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many interpreters and translators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 52,060 interpreters and translators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do interpreters and translators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.93. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.