Interpreters and Translators salary in Madison, WI
Interpreters and Translators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $72,720 a year ($34.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,550 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 15% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $63,390. There are 0.54 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,610, close to the median.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,020 | $22.13 |
| 25th percentile | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Median | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| 75th percentile | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Average (mean) | $72,610 | $34.91 |
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 | $6,060 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,030 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,796.92 |
| Weekly | $1,398.46 |
| Hourly | $34.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $68,980 | 650 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $64,700 | 480 |
| Green Bay, WI | $63,520 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $63,340 | 40 |
| Appleton, WI | $61,210 | 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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Photographer | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Art Director | $83,650 | $40.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Madison, WI metro area is $72,720 a year, or $34.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $97,550 a year. The top 25% earn $87,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,020 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $59,440 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Madison, WI?
About 220 interpreters and translators are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.