Interpreters and Translators salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Interpreters and Translators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $51,990 a year ($25.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,960 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 4% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $50,030. There are 0.41 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Median | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| 75th percentile | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,960 | $40.85 |
| Average (mean) | $57,680 | $27.73 |
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 | $4,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,166.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,999.62 |
| Weekly | $999.81 |
| Hourly | $25.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $53,790 | 60 |
| Greenville, NC | $53,140 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,640 | 390 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $51,270 | 190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,350 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $43,470 | 130 |
| Asheville, NC | $41,580 | 80 |
| Burlington, NC | $38,720 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $28.56 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $51,990 a year, or $25.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $84,960 a year. The top 25% earn $61,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,900 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $44,980 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 140 interpreters and translators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.