Interpreter salary
From 154 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 27-3091: Interpreters and Translators
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 35% of Interpreter filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 19% since FY2020. From $59,120 in FY2020 to $70,305 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Interpreter H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 154 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Interpreter jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators). The median base salary is $62,663, 49% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $50,412 and $79,295. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 35% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 35% of filings
Mid-level · 31% of filings
Senior · 19% of filings
Expert · 15% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $49,920 | 54 |
| Level II · Qualified | $60,000 | 47 |
| Level III · Experienced | $75,000 | 29 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $107,640 | 23 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Interpreter pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 3 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $58,770 | 28 |
| New York, NY | $65,541 | 19 |
| San Jose, CA | $118,500 | 19 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Interpreter does
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Typical tasks
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Preparation
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET occupation: Interpreters and Translators (27-3091.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Interpreters and Translators), the median annual wage was $60,170 in May 2025, with 52,060 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $62,663, 4% higher.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,068 | $37,070 |
| 25th percentile | $50,412 | $46,530 |
| Median | $62,663 | $60,170 |
| 75th percentile | $79,295 | $80,830 |
| 90th percentile | $107,640 | $103,660 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,068 |
| 25th | $50,412 |
| 50th (median) | $62,663 |
| 75th | $79,295 |
| 90th | $107,640 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $59,120 | $45,945 | $71,170 | 90 |
| FY2021 | $64,480 | $51,958 | $84,822 | 97 |
| FY2022 | $63,149 | $52,000 | $74,672 | 89 |
| FY2023 | $60,000 | $46,200 | $91,473 | 70 |
| FY2024 | $64,500 | $50,034 | $83,588 | 96 |
| FY2025 | $60,000 | $48,725 | $70,698 | 105 |
| FY2026 | $70,305 | $55,000 | $87,984 | 49 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Interpreter make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Interpreter jobs is $62,663 (154 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $50,412 and $79,295.
What does an entry-level Interpreter earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $49,920. Level I accounts for 35% of Interpreter filings.
Do H-1B Interpreters earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($62,663) is 4% higher than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($60,170, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.