Interpreters and Translators salary in Illinois
Interpreters and Translators in Illinois earn a median of $55,290 a year ($26.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,370 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $60,170. Illinois ranks 26th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.25 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $58,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 25th percentile | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Median | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| 75th percentile | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Average (mean) | $58,650 | $28.20 |
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 | $4,607.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,303.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,126.54 |
| Weekly | $1,063.27 |
| Hourly | $26.58 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,660 | 1,070 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $57,480 | 180 |
| Peoria, IL | $54,690 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $50,390 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,270 | 30 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,140 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,070 | 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Technical Writer | $88,700 | $42.65 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,890 | $36.48 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in Illinois is $55,290 a year, or $26.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in Illinois earn at least $82,370 a year. The top 25% earn $69,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,990 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $42,760 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Illinois?
About 1,510 interpreters and translators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.