Interpreters and Translators salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Interpreters and Translators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $65,800 a year ($31.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,270 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 7% higher than the Washington statewide median of $61,750. There are 0.33 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| 25th percentile | $49,680 | $23.88 |
| Median | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| 75th percentile | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Average (mean) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
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 | $5,483.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,741.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,530.77 |
| Weekly | $1,265.38 |
| Hourly | $31.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $60,960 | 440 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $52,000 | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $41,840 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 | $46.16 |
| Editor | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Technical Writer | $107,580 | $51.72 |
| Writers and Authors | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $113,200 | $54.42 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,640 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $76,720 | $36.89 |
| Producers and Directors | $86,680 | $41.68 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $134,120 | $64.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $65,800 a year, or $31.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $104,270 a year. The top 25% earn $82,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,680 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $49,680 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 690 interpreters and translators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.