Interpreter Salary in Illinois

How much does an Interpreter make in Illinois?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Interpreter in Illinois is $63,673 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,933
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,748 to $70,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,443
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View as table View as graph 25% $56,748 10% $50,443 90% $75,933 75% $70,090 $63,673 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Interpreter Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $70,090 $5,841 $1,348 $34
Average $63,673 $5,306 $1,224 $31
25th Percentile $56,748 $4,729 $1,091 $27
Check out Interpreter Job Openings in Illinois
Mam Interpreter

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Educational Interpreter - Burbank, Illinois

Soliant - Burbank, IL

ASL Interpreter | Mount Prospect, Illinois

Sunbelt - Mount Prospect, IL

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Key Factors That Influence Interpreter Salaries

An 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.

How Experience Level Affects Interpreter Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an 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): $60,874
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,085
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,673
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $66,315
  • Expert (over 8 years): $66,504
Levels Salary
Entry Level Interpreter$60,874
Intermediate Level Interpreter$61,085
Senior Level Interpreter$63,673
Specialist Level Interpreter$66,315
Expert Level Interpreter$66,504
$60,874 0 yr
$61,085 < 2 yrs
$63,673 2-4 yrs
$66,315 5-8 yrs
$66,504 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for 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:

  • Effingham: $58,693
  • Saint Peter: $58,613
  • Salem: $58,836

Interpreter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Interpreter positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Interpreter as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Interpreter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$95,509$46.050%
Biotechnology$95,509$46.050%
Chemicals$95,509$46.050%
Energy & Utilities$95,509$46.050%
Financial Services$95,509$46.050%

Interpreter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an 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 August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Interpreter Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Interpreter job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Bilingual Therapies

    Coal City, IL

    Bilingual Therapies | Coal City, IL

    Degree in American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, certified ASL Interpreter credentials, and 1year of experience as an ASL Interpreter in educational se... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Northwestern Illinois Association

    Sycamore, IL

    Northwestern Illinois Association | Sycamore, IL

    The National Innovation Association (NIA), a leader in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, is seeking a skilled Sign Language Interpreter to f... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Lions International

    Oak Brook, IL

    Lions International | Oak Brook, IL

    Job Description. Job Description. We’re in the business of Good. Lions International. is the largest service club organization in the world. Our 1.4 millio... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ampersand Therapy

    Lisle, IL

    Ampersand Therapy | Lisle, IL

    American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter 2026-2027 School Year Up to $45/hour Lisle, IL Position Details:Starting August 2026 Monday-Friday (flexible sched... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Northwestern Illinois Association

    Sycamore, IL

    Northwestern Illinois Association | Sycamore, IL

    Northwestern Illinois Association (NIA) is a regional governmental agency dedicated to providing special education support to 68 school districts across No... more

    8 Days Ago

  • CommunityHealth

    Chicago, IL

    CommunityHealth | Chicago, IL

    At CommunityHealth, we rely on generous volunteer interpreters to make sure our Spanish-speaking patients have the opportunity to communicate successfully ... more

    9 Days Ago

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