Interpreters and Translators salary in Wisconsin
Interpreters and Translators in Wisconsin earn a median of $63,390 a year ($30.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,460 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $60,170. Wisconsin ranks 15th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.48 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $64,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| 25th percentile | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Median | $63,390 | $30.48 |
| 75th percentile | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,460 | $42.53 |
| Average (mean) | $64,240 | $30.89 |
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 | $5,282.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,641.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,438.08 |
| Weekly | $1,219.04 |
| Hourly | $30.48 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $72,720 | 220 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Technical Writer | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Writers and Authors | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in Wisconsin is $63,390 a year, or $30.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in Wisconsin earn at least $88,460 a year. The top 25% earn $76,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,390 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $48,540 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Wisconsin?
About 1,410 interpreters and translators are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.