Interpreter Salary in 2026
Convert spoken messages from one language to another in real-time settings.
Median Salary
$55,000
$4,583/mo
Entry Level
$35,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$78,000
experienced
Job Growth
+18%
10-yr outlook
Interpreter Overview
Convert spoken messages from one language to another in real-time settings.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Services
Total Jobs (US)
62K
5-Year Growth
+3%
Category
Services
Hourly Rate
$26.44/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,583
Interpreter Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Interpreter salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Interpreter Salary
$63,000
$5,250/month · $2,423/biweekly · $30.29/hr
Interpreter Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Interpreter field.
Entry-level Interpreters earn around $35,000, while the top 10% earn $88,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Interpreters
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| New York | $63,000 | +$8,000 |
| Illinois | $57,000 | +$2,000 |
| Texas | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Interpreters
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $65,000 | +$10,000 |
| Los Angeles | $62,000 | +$7,000 |
| Chicago | $58,000 | +$3,000 |
| Miami | $56,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $54,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Interpreter Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Interpreter from entry level to expert.
$35,000
0-2 years
$57,000
3-7 years
$78,000
8-14 years
$98,000
15+ years
Interpreter Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Interpreter Salary
How we calculate Interpreter salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $55,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Interpreter in the Services sector.
- Entry-level ($35,000) and senior-level ($78,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +18% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 62K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 3% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Services sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $55,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Interpreter compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Interpreter job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Services
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Interpreter salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Bilingual Fluency, Simultaneous Interpretation, Cultural Competency), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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