Hospital Interpreter Salary in the United States

How much does a Hospital Interpreter make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hospital Interpreter in the United States is $51,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Hospital Interpreter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,488
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,900 to $56,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,619
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View as table View as graph 25% $45,900 10% $40,619 90% $60,488 75% $56,300 $51,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Hospital Interpreter Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $56,300 $4,692 $1,083 $27
Average $51,700 $4,308 $994 $25
25th Percentile $45,900 $3,825 $883 $22
Check out Hospital Interpreter Job Openings in the United States
Casual Outpatient Occupational Therapist

Oaklawn Hospital - MARSHALL, MI

Physical Therapist Sign

Shreveport Rehabilitation Hospital - SHREVEPORT, LA

Registered Nurse Acute

Gothenburg Memorial Hospital - GOTHENBURG, NE

Registered Nurse

Community Hospital - Fairfax, MO - FAIRFAX, MO

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Key Factors That Influence Hospital Interpreter Salaries

A Hospital Interpreter's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Hospital Interpreter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hospital Interpreter's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $49,796
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,969
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $52,043
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $53,966
  • Expert (over 8 years): $54,103
Levels Salary
Entry Level Hospital Interpreter$49,796
Intermediate Level Hospital Interpreter$49,969
Senior Level Hospital Interpreter$52,043
Specialist Level Hospital Interpreter$53,966
Expert Level Hospital Interpreter$54,103
$49,796 0 yr
$49,969 < 2 yrs
$52,043 2-4 yrs
$53,966 5-8 yrs
$54,103 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Hospital Interpreters

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $65,200
  • San Francisco: $64,500
  • Oakland: $63,100

What Skills Can Increase a Hospital Interpreter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.79% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Insurance Industry (Mentioned in 4.62% Job Postings): The insurance industry comprises companies and people who develop insurance policies, and sell, administrate, and regulate them.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 0.71% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.79%
Insurance Industry 4.62%
Pediatric 0.71%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Hospital Interpreter's salary.
  • Medical Equipment: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Business Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Cross-Cultural Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Medical Equipment
$71,346
38%
Business Operations
$64,625
25%
Cross-Cultural Communication
$62,557
21%
Organizing
$56,870
10%
HIPAA
$56,353
9%
Innovation
$56,353
9%
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How Education impacts a Hospital Interpreter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hospital Interpreters enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Hospital Interpreter with a No Diploma is between $47,506 and $51,115).

Hospital Interpreter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hospital Interpreter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 28.7%
Associates 10.3%
Bachelors 46.7%
Masters 11.8%
Doctorate 1.5%
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Hospital Interpreter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Hospital Interpreter's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Hospital Interpreter

Salaries for a Hospital Interpreter can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,343 in 2023 to around $36,586 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Hospital Interpreter salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Hospital Interpreter Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,343
2024
$37,211
2025
$36,586
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,343
2024 $37,211
2025 $36,586
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Hospital Interpreter

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Hospital Interpreter

Here are companies hiring for Hospital Interpreter and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Hospital Interpreter

1. What state pays interpreters the most?

In 2023, while Virginia and the District of Columbia had the highest annual mean wages for interpreters, the salary data for hospital interpreters shows a range from $45,600 to $56,800, with a mid-salary of $51,900. This indicates that hospital interpreters may earn less than those in top-paying states.

2. Are medical interpreters in high demand?

With one in five people in the U.S. speaking a language other than English at home, the demand for medical interpreters is at an all-time high. Their salaries range from $45,600 to $56,800, with a median of $51,900. In an industry where clear communication can be a matter of life and death, having qualified interpreters is essential.

3. What is the difference between interpreter and translator in healthcare?

The terms medical translator” and medical interpreter” are often confused, but they refer to distinct roles. Medical translators work with written texts, while medical interpreters focus on spoken communication. In healthcare, interpreters play a crucial role in facilitating conversations between patients and providers, with salaries ranging from $45,600 to $56,800 annually.

4. What language is most in demand for interpreters?

The demand for interpreters varies by language, with Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Ukrainian, Korean, and Turkish being among the top choices. As a Hospital Interpreter, you can expect a salary ranging from $45,600 to $56,800, with a median salary of $51,900, reflecting the importance of these languages in healthcare settings.

5. How do you become a hospital interpreter?

To become a hospital interpreter, follow these steps: 1. Complete high school education. 2. Learn a foreign language. 3. Complete medical interpreter training. 4. Apply for medical interpreter certification. 5. Gain experience. As a hospital interpreter, you can expect a salary ranging from $45,600 to $56,800, with a median salary of $51,900.

6. Is interpreter a stressful job?

Interpreting can indeed be a stressful job, often leading to physical fatigue, back pain, and eye strain. Despite the challenges, the role offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $45,600, a mid-range of $51,900, and a maximum of $56,800. This compensation reflects the demanding nature of the work and the skills required to excel in this field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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