I connect with certified/trained interpreters and I connect with attorneys and community organizations to help them gain easier access to language service professionals.
CAREER
Interpreters and Translators
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$52,330
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+20% (much faster than the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Bachelor's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Interpreters and Translators Do
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Other Job Titles Interpreters and Translators May Have
American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter), Court Interpreter, Educational Interpreter, Interpreter, Linguist, Medical Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter, Spanish Interpreter, Spanish Translator, Translator
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I review priorities and deadlines, organize my translations accordingly and review materials.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Interpreters and Translators
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (36%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Finance, General
Bachelor
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Bachelor
Project Management
Graduate
Business Administration and Management, General
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Language Interpretation and Translation
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Cultural awareness, world history, bi/multi lingual.
Beyond the hard skills needed to be a translator, which involve a lot of studying, being flexible, connecting with the work and the people I work with have helped me enormously. Finding seasoned mentors to show me the way and learning from their flaws and talents. Also research has been instrumental, and never ending curiosity have helped me build solid confidence.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
Start drawing up a business plan, however simple you want to make it, always be ready to make adjustments, and never ever be scared to ask questions or ask for help. It's also a great idea to start searching for mentors that will help you as you get older.
College Students
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
