National
| Median wages (2008) |
$18.68 hourly, $38,850 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
41,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
20,000 additional employees |
27-3091.00 - Interpreters and Translators
Translate or interpret written, oral, or sign language text into another language for others.
Sample of reported job titles:
Sign Language Interpreter, Interpreter, Translator, Educational Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Paraprofessional Interpreter, Bilingual Interpreter, Conference Interpreter, Conference Translator, Court Interpreter
Tasks
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
- Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
