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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Language Interpreter in California is $68,337 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Language Interpreter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Language Interpreter Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $75,226 | $6,269 | $1,447 | $36 |
| Average | $68,337 | $5,695 | $1,314 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,890 | $4,991 | $1,152 | $29 |
Resolute Language Group - Rancho Cordova, CA
360 Degree Therapy - San Jose, CA
ZP Better Together - Torrance, CA
Sunbelt Staffing - Ventura, CA
A Language 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Language 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Language Interpreter | $67,516 |
| Intermediate Level Language Interpreter | $67,751 |
| Senior Level Language Interpreter | $70,621 |
| Specialist Level Language Interpreter | $73,552 |
| Expert Level Language Interpreter | $73,761 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Language Interpreters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Language Interpreter roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Language Interpreter positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Language Interpreter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $102,506 | $49.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $102,506 | $49.0 | 50% |
| Chemicals | $102,506 | $49.0 | 50% |
| Energy & Utilities | $102,506 | $49.0 | 50% |
| Financial Services | $102,506 | $49.0 | 50% |
Understanding how a Language 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $75,226 | $6,269 | $1,447 | $36 |
| Average | $68,337 | $5,695 | $1,314 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,890 | $4,991 | $1,152 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Language Interpreter job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Soliant
Oroville, CA
Soliant | Oroville, CA
Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more
10 Days Ago
ProCare
Oroville, CA
ProCare | Oroville, CA
Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more
10 Days Ago
BlazerWorks
Oroville, CA
BlazerWorks | Oroville, CA
Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more
10 Days Ago
ProCare
Porterville, CA
ProCare | Porterville, CA
Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more
10 Days Ago
BlazerWorks
Chico, CA
BlazerWorks | Chico, CA
Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more
10 Days Ago
VocoVision
Los Angeles, CA
VocoVision | Los Angeles, CA
Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more
10 Days Ago
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