Convert speech or writing from one language to another so people can understand each other.
You may also see this posted as: Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter, Translator, American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter), Court Interpreter.
Courts, hospitals, schools, and remote; varies widely by assignment.
Often freelance and irregular; some full-time staff roles.
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Artistic
creating, designing, performing, or working without a rigid script
Social
helping, teaching, caring for, or supporting other people
O*NET job zone 4 of 5
High preparation—usually a four-year degree plus experience—is common.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
BLS estimates 27% of workers in this occupation are self-employed.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: Fluency + certification; a degree helps.
Related work experience: None.
On-the-job training: None.
No universal license; court and medical work often require certification.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Bilingual first-gen students start with the core skill already earned.
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Standard Occupational Classification 27-3091. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.