Interpreters and Translators salary in California
Interpreters and Translators in California earn a median of $70,770 a year ($34.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,810 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $60,170. California ranks 7th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.30 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| 25th percentile | $56,230 | $27.04 |
| Median | $70,770 | $34.02 |
| 75th percentile | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,810 | $57.60 |
| Average (mean) | $78,800 | $37.88 |
Half of interpreters and translators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,897.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,948.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,721.92 |
| Weekly | $1,360.96 |
| Hourly | $34.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Interpreters and Translators salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,530 | 300 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $84,960 | 30 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $83,680 | 760 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $82,440 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $75,920 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $74,310 | 450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $73,690 | 360 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $69,460 | 1,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $68,050 | 110 |
| Visalia, CA | $66,000 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $64,360 | 430 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $63,900 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,720 | 560 |
| Modesto, CA | $60,530 | 40 |
| Merced, CA | $52,710 | 30 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $50,480 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for interpreters and translators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109,970 |
| Maryland | $88,550 |
| New York | $84,090 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 |
| Colorado | $71,790 |
| California | $70,770 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 |
| Oregon | $66,300 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Writers and Authors | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Technical Writer | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $116,020 | $55.78 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 | $42.54 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interpreters and translators make in California?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in California is $70,770 a year, or $34.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in California?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in California earn at least $119,810 a year. The top 25% earn $102,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,530 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $56,230 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in California?
About 5,560 interpreters and translators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.