Interpreters and Translators salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Interpreters and Translators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $59,660 a year ($28.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,220 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 8% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $55,290. There are 0.24 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $61,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| 25th percentile | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Median | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| 75th percentile | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Average (mean) | $61,310 | $29.48 |
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 | $4,971.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,485.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,294.62 |
| Weekly | $1,147.31 |
| Hourly | $28.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Interpreters and Translators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $66,980 | n/a |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,100 | 520 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,480 | 180 |
| Peoria, IL | $54,690 | 40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $53,590 | 170 |
| Springfield, IL | $50,390 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,270 | 30 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,140 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $47,820 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $47,690 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $47,530 | 700 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,070 | 70 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $44,000 | 70 |
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 |
See Interpreters and Translators pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Writers and Authors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 | $43.25 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $70,350 | $33.82 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $49,470 | $23.78 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $89,620 | $43.09 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $59,660 a year, or $28.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $86,220 a year. The top 25% earn $75,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,290 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $45,800 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,070 interpreters and translators are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.