Interpreters and Translators salary in Columbia, SC
Interpreters and Translators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $52,200 a year ($25.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,860 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $50,860. There are 0.42 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| 25th percentile | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Median | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| 75th percentile | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,860 | $34.07 |
| Average (mean) | $54,180 | $26.05 |
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 | $4,350 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,175 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,007.69 |
| Weekly | $1,003.85 |
| Hourly | $25.09 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $64,550 | n/a |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,040 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,640 | 390 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $48,820 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $47,370 | 70 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $39,210 | 40 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $52,200 a year, or $25.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $70,860 a year. The top 25% earn $52,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,340 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $49,810 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Columbia, SC?
About 170 interpreters and translators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.