Interpreters and Translators salary in Washington
Interpreters and Translators in Washington earn a median of $61,750 a year ($29.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,710 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $60,170. Washington ranks 18th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.35 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| 25th percentile | $49,680 | $23.88 |
| Median | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| 75th percentile | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,710 | $50.82 |
| Average (mean) | $70,140 | $33.72 |
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 | $5,145.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,572.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,375 |
| Weekly | $1,187.50 |
| Hourly | $29.69 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,800 | 690 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Editor | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Technical Writer | $104,070 | $50.03 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $54,760 | $26.33 |
| Writers and Authors | $85,700 | $41.20 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $69,270 | $33.30 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in Washington is $61,750 a year, or $29.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Washington?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in Washington earn at least $105,710 a year. The top 25% earn $82,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,640 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $49,680 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Washington?
About 1,250 interpreters and translators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.