Interpreters and Translators
Also called: Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter, TranslatorInterpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 15 of its 17 tasks, yet jobs are projected to grow 2.0% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 2.9% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 48% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,130 | $35,860 to $61,050 | 310 |
| Alaska | not published | not published | 150 |
| Arizona | $50,150 | $37,980 to $64,600 | 2,070 |
| Arkansas | $52,490 | $44,220 to $67,290 | 220 |
| California | $70,770 | $56,230 to $102,010 | 5,560 |
| Colorado | $71,790 | $61,630 to $86,300 | 800 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 | $46,470 to $93,960 | 280 |
| Delaware | not published | not published | 110 |
| District of Columbia | $109,970 | $77,060 to $124,450 | 280 |
| Florida | $48,930 | $38,840 to $78,500 | 4,200 |
| Georgia | $57,880 | $46,470 to $82,510 | 1,600 |
| Hawaii | $42,270 | $39,810 to $64,400 | 60 |
| Idaho | $66,130 | $56,520 to $96,870 | 300 |
| Illinois | $55,290 | $42,760 to $69,010 | 1,510 |
| Indiana | $48,140 | $44,730 to $65,870 | 1,170 |
| Iowa | $48,150 | $40,450 to $53,620 | 560 |
| Kansas | $47,950 | $40,190 to $67,770 | 470 |
| Kentucky | $53,590 | $44,070 to $73,170 | 480 |
| Louisiana | $48,420 | $36,020 to $54,800 | 120 |
| Maine | $63,470 | $54,460 to $93,130 | 90 |
| Maryland | $88,550 | $63,270 to $102,750 | 1,150 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | $58,050 to $93,010 | 2,280 |
| Michigan | $45,310 | $35,990 to $69,830 | 940 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 | $63,010 to $78,520 | 1,030 |
| Mississippi | $57,130 | $35,940 to $76,670 | 80 |
| Missouri | $57,010 | $44,670 to $79,610 | 440 |
| Montana | $47,850 | $41,340 to $52,630 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $53,050 | $47,650 to $64,050 | 570 |
| Nevada | $50,370 | $39,890 to $55,830 | 320 |
| New Hampshire | $56,370 | $55,750 to $56,370 | 240 |
| New Jersey | $58,970 | $34,370 to $97,720 | 870 |
| New Mexico | $63,550 | $41,770 to $85,910 | 360 |
| New York | $84,090 | $56,010 to $107,800 | 3,240 |
| North Carolina | $50,030 | $41,580 to $69,070 | 1,780 |
| North Dakota | $48,190 | $47,270 to $56,570 | 130 |
| Ohio | $61,230 | $48,590 to $79,040 | 2,030 |
| Oklahoma | $48,980 | $40,410 to $61,350 | 320 |
| Oregon | $66,300 | $56,200 to $80,580 | 660 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,040 | $45,120 to $80,590 | 1,420 |
| Puerto Rico | $42,990 | $30,070 to $79,610 | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 | $58,240 to $134,270 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $50,860 | $44,400 to $61,040 | 520 |
| South Dakota | $53,140 | $47,040 to $65,210 | 230 |
| Tennessee | $51,080 | $39,080 to $64,770 | 710 |
| Texas | $47,510 | $38,010 to $62,900 | 6,780 |
| Utah | $65,770 | $50,090 to $79,970 | 850 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | $62,310 to $110,140 | 80 |
| Virginia | $63,030 | $47,500 to $86,920 | 1,630 |
| Washington | $61,750 | $49,680 to $82,990 | 1,250 |
| West Virginia | not published | not published | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $63,390 | $48,540 to $76,770 | 1,410 |
Nationally: $60,170. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 15 of its 17 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI alone | Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information. | Not published |
| AI alone | Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy. | Not published |
| AI alone | Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible. | 0.37% |
| AI alone | Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors. | 0.04% |
| AI alone | Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary. | under 0.01% |
See all 17 tasks
| AI alone | Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions. | under 0.01% |
| Not much | Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material. | under 0.01% |
| AI + software | Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters. | Not published |
| AI alone | Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials. | 0.03% |
| AI alone | Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages. | 0.47% |
| AI alone | Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Train and supervise other translators or interpreters. | Not published |
| AI alone | Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided. | Not published |
| AI alone | Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 11 of the 17 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 17 tasks fall under 10 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #4 Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise
- #5 Provide information or assistance to the public
- #9 Edit written materials or documents
- and 2 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpret language, cultural, or religious information for others | |||
| Compile records, documentation, or other data | |||
| Evaluate the quality or accuracy of data | |||
| Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise | |||
| Provide information or assistance to the public | |||
| Edit written materials or documents | |||
| Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications | |||
| Maintain safety or security |
Show all 10 activities
| Train others on operational or work procedures | |||
| Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- A translation63%
- An explanation or answer13%
- A document or report5%
- An email or message5%
- An analysis or summary3%
How they worked with Claude
39% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for interpreters and translators specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 65,270 moves out
- 1 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 2 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education High -0.4% 5%
- 3 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 4 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 3%
- 5 Postsecondary Teachers, All Other Very high +2.0% 3%
Where people moved in from
of 66,560 moves in
- 1 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Very high -6.0% 5%
- 2 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 3 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education High -0.4% 4%
- 4 Teachers and Instructors, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 4%
- 5 Customer Service Representatives Very high -5.3% 3%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 8% high school
- 1% postsecondary certificate
- 4% associate's
- 55% bachelor's
- 28% master's
- 4% post-master's certificate
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 22 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 4% less than high school
- 11% high school
- 19% some college
- 11% associate's
- 34% bachelor's
- 16% master's
- 2% professional degree
- 2% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 939 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
87 programs, such as Deaf Studies, Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness and Foreign Languages and Literatures, General.
See all
- Deaf Studies
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
- Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
- Linguistics
- Language Interpretation and Translation
- Applied Linguistics
- African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Chinese Language and Literature
- Japanese Language and Literature
- Korean Language and Literature
- Tibetan Language and Literature
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Baltic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Russian Language and Literature
- Albanian Language and Literature
- Bulgarian Language and Literature
- Czech Language and Literature
- Polish Language and Literature
- Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian Languages and Literatures
- Slovak Language and Literature
- Ukrainian Language and Literature
- Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- German Language and Literature
- Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Danish Language and Literature
- Dutch/Flemish Language and Literature
- Norwegian Language and Literature
- Swedish Language and Literature
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Modern Greek Language and Literature
- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Hindi Language and Literature
- Sanskrit and Classical Indian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Bengali Language and Literature
- Punjabi Language and Literature
- Tamil Language and Literature
- Urdu Language and Literature
- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- French Language and Literature
- Italian Language and Literature
- Portuguese Language and Literature
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Romanian Language and Literature
- Catalan Language and Literature
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- American Indian/Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Arabic Language and Literature
- Hebrew Language and Literature
- Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature
- Latin Language and Literature
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Southeast Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Australian/Oceanic/Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Indonesian/Malay Languages and Literatures
- Burmese Language and Literature
- Filipino/Tagalog Language and Literature
- Khmer/Cambodian Language and Literature
- Lao Language and Literature
- Thai Language and Literature
- Vietnamese Language and Literature
- Hawaiian Language and Literature
- Southeast Asian and Australasian/Pacific Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Turkish Language and Literature
- Uralic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Hungarian/Magyar Language and Literature
- Mongolian Language and Literature
- Turkic, Uralic-Altaic, Caucasian, and Central Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages
- Sign Language Interpretation and Translation
- American Sign Language, Other
- Armenian Language and Literature
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Court Interpreter
- Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
- History and Language/Literature
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
79.0% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | 13.2% | 19.1% |
| a certification | 62.4% | 5.8% |
| an educational certificate | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 1 registered apprenticeship in this occupation (Interpreters and Translators (NOF)). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Interpreters and Translators” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
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