Interpreters and Translators salary in Kentucky
Interpreters and Translators in Kentucky earn a median of $53,590 a year ($25.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,800 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $60,170. Kentucky ranks 27th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. 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 $58,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| 25th percentile | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Median | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| 75th percentile | $73,170 | $35.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| Average (mean) | $58,930 | $28.33 |
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 | $4,465.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,232.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,061.15 |
| Weekly | $1,030.58 |
| Hourly | $25.77 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $66,320 | 120 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,100 | 520 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $53,590 | 170 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Editor | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Writers and Authors | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Technical Writer | $81,070 | $38.97 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $35,570 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | $28.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in Kentucky is $53,590 a year, or $25.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in Kentucky earn at least $81,800 a year. The top 25% earn $73,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,160 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $44,070 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Kentucky?
About 480 interpreters and translators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.