Interpreters and Translators salary in Virginia
Interpreters and Translators in Virginia earn a median of $63,030 a year ($30.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,490 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $60,170. Virginia ranks 16th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.40 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| 25th percentile | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Median | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| 75th percentile | $86,920 | $41.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,490 | $59.37 |
| Average (mean) | $74,320 | $35.73 |
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 | $5,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,626.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,424.23 |
| Weekly | $1,212.12 |
| Hourly | $30.30 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,510 | 1,630 |
| Richmond, VA | $78,030 | 140 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $65,910 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $54,630 | 40 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $40,580 | 30 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,000 | $40.87 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $55,210 | $26.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,420 | $33.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in Virginia is $63,030 a year, or $30.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in Virginia earn at least $123,490 a year. The top 25% earn $86,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,160 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $47,500 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Virginia?
About 1,630 interpreters and translators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.