Interpreters and Translators salary in South Carolina
Interpreters and Translators in South Carolina earn a median of $50,860 a year ($24.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,310 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $60,170. South Carolina ranks 32nd of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.23 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $55,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| 25th percentile | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Median | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| 75th percentile | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| Average (mean) | $55,230 | $26.55 |
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 | $4,238.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,119.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,956.15 |
| Weekly | $978.08 |
| Hourly | $24.45 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $64,550 | n/a |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,040 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,640 | 390 |
| Columbia, SC | $52,200 | 170 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $48,820 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $47,370 | 70 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $39,210 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Technical Writer | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| Writers and Authors | $51,920 | $24.96 |
| Editor | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $30,960 | $14.88 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $61,100 | $29.38 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| Interior Designer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Photographer | $37,890 | $18.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in South Carolina is $50,860 a year, or $24.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in South Carolina earn at least $75,310 a year. The top 25% earn $61,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,860 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $44,400 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in South Carolina?
About 520 interpreters and translators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.