Best degree programs for Interpreters and Translators, ranked by enrollment
55 college programs and 1,086 schools train Interpreters and Translators. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $60,170 median wage, 52,060 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
55 college programs at 1,086 schools train interpreters and translators, graduating 22,480 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Spanish Language and Literature. The job pays a median of $60,170 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About interpreters and translators
Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
55 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0905 | 6,320 | 28.1% | 761 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 2 | Linguisticsmain feeder CIP 16.0102 | 2,488 | 11.1% | 161 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 3 | Foreign Languages and Literatures, Generalmain feeder CIP 16.0101 | 1,917 | 8.5% | 198 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 4 | Sign Language Interpretation and Translationmain feeder CIP 16.1603 | 1,399 | 6.2% | 115 | $32,695 | $25,209 |
| 5 | French Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0901 | 1,322 | 5.9% | 324 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 6 | American Sign Language (ASL)main feeder CIP 16.1601 | 1,050 | 4.7% | 100 | $32,695 | $25,209 |
| 7 | CIP 16.1200 | 1,000 | 4.4% | 170 | — | $22,560 |
| 8 | Language Interpretation and Translationmain feeder CIP 16.0103 | 871 | 3.9% | 77 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 9 | Japanese Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0302 | 783 | 3.5% | 117 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 10 | German Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0501 | 640 | 2.8% | 168 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 11 | CIP 16.0908 | 625 | 2.8% | 31 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 12 | CIP 16.9999 | 546 | 2.4% | 48 | $34,944 | $24,828 |
| 13 | Chinese Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0301 | 524 | 2.3% | 100 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 14 | Deaf Studiesmain feeder CIP 05.0211 | 474 | 2.1% | 29 | $31,459 | $23,000 |
| 15 | CIP 16.0300 | 288 | 1.3% | 28 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 16 | CIP 13.1003 | 251 | 1.1% | 32 | $44,139 | $26,675 |
| 17 | Russian Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0402 | 198 | 0.9% | 68 | $60,240 | $5,500 |
| 18 | Arabic Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.1101 | 198 | 0.9% | 39 | $48,355 | $15,526 |
| 19 | Italian Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0902 | 197 | 0.9% | 72 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 20 | Applied Linguisticsmain feeder CIP 16.0105 | 174 | 0.8% | 25 | $27,449 | $20,824 |
| 21 | CIP 16.0900 | 129 | 0.6% | 30 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 22 | CIP 16.0500 | 122 | 0.5% | 15 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 23 | Korean Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0303 | 120 | 0.5% | 20 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 24 | CIP 16.0400 | 108 | 0.5% | 20 | $60,240 | $5,500 |
| 25 | CIP 16.0999 | 96 | 0.4% | 11 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 26 | CIP 16.1299 | 74 | 0.3% | 15 | — | $22,560 |
| 27 | CIP 16.1199 | 73 | 0.3% | 11 | $48,355 | $15,526 |
| 28 | CIP 16.1001 | 72 | 0.3% | 20 | — | — |
| 29 | CIP 16.1103 | 65 | 0.3% | 10 | $48,355 | $15,526 |
| 30 | CIP 16.0399 | 64 | 0.3% | 6 | $27,331 | $20,685 |
| 31 | Portuguese Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0904 | 63 | 0.3% | 15 | $34,541 | $22,748 |
| 32 | Latin Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.1203 | 38 | 0.2% | 22 | — | $22,560 |
| 33 | CIP 16.1100 | 34 | 0.2% | 6 | $48,355 | $15,526 |
| 34 | CIP 16.1202 | 31 | 0.1% | 16 | — | $22,560 |
| 35 | Hebrew Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.1102 | 20 | 0.1% | 6 | $48,355 | $15,526 |
| 36 | CIP 16.0799 | 14 | 0.1% | 1 | — | — |
| 37 | Filipino/Tagalog Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.1404 | 13 | 0.1% | 1 | — | — |
| 38 | Hawaiian Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.1409 | 12 | 0.1% | 2 | — | — |
| 39 | Norwegian Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0505 | 10 | 0.0% | 2 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 40 | Vietnamese Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.1408 | 8 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 41 | Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languagesmain feeder CIP 16.1602 | 6 | 0.0% | 2 | $32,695 | $25,209 |
| 42 | CIP 16.0502 | 5 | 0.0% | 3 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 43 | CIP 16.0599 | 5 | 0.0% | 1 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 44 | CIP 16.0700 | 5 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 45 | CIP 16.1499 | 5 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 46 | American Sign Language, Othermain feeder CIP 16.1699 | 5 | 0.0% | 2 | $32,695 | $25,209 |
| 47 | CIP 16.0801 | 4 | 0.0% | 3 | — | — |
| 48 | Modern Greek Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0601 | 3 | 0.0% | 2 | — | — |
| 49 | Economics and Foreign Language/Literature CIP 30.4001 | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 50 | CIP 16.0201 | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 51 | CIP 16.1301 | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
| 52 | Polish Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0407 | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $60,240 | $5,500 |
| 53 | CIP 16.0499 | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $60,240 | $5,500 |
| 54 | Dutch/Flemish Language and Literaturemain feeder CIP 16.0504 | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $44,390 | $23,202 |
| 55 | CIP 16.1401 | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | — | — |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
What interpreters and translators earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $70,770 | 5,560 | 0.91× | 155 | 4,208 |
| Texas | $47,510 | 6,780 | 1.44× | 63 | 1,884 |
| New York | $84,090 | 3,240 | 1.00× | 69 | 1,243 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,040 | 1,420 | 0.70× | 59 | 931 |
| Utah | $65,770 | 850 | 1.47× | 9 | 857 |
| Ohio | $61,230 | 2,030 | 1.09× | 40 | 843 |
| Wisconsin | $63,390 | 1,410 | 1.43× | 27 | 704 |
| North Carolina | $50,030 | 1,780 | 1.07× | 39 | 663 |
| Michigan | $45,310 | 940 | 0.64× | 31 | 599 |
| Illinois | $55,290 | 1,510 | 0.74× | 44 | 593 |
| Georgia | $57,880 | 1,600 | 0.98× | 22 | 592 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 | 2,280 | 1.87× | 38 | 586 |
| Florida | $48,930 | 4,200 | 1.26× | 20 | 515 |
| Virginia | $63,030 | 1,630 | 1.19× | 28 | 488 |
| Arizona | $50,150 | 2,070 | 1.91× | 16 | 484 |
| New Jersey | $58,970 | 870 | 0.61× | 20 | 461 |
| Indiana | $48,140 | 1,170 | 1.10× | 32 | 451 |
| Washington | $61,750 | 1,250 | 1.05× | 19 | 440 |
| Idaho | $66,130 | 300 | 1.05× | 7 | 436 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 | 1,030 | 1.04× | 33 | 405 |
| Maryland | $88,550 | 1,150 | 1.24× | 18 | 404 |
| Oregon | $66,300 | 660 | 1.00× | 13 | 393 |
| Missouri | $57,010 | 440 | 0.45× | 22 | 333 |
| Colorado | $71,790 | 800 | 0.83× | 19 | 284 |
| District of Columbia | $109,970 | 280 | 1.19× | 6 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $51,080 | 710 | 0.65× | 21 | 266 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 | 280 | 0.49× | 12 | 248 |
| Kansas | $47,950 | 470 | 0.98× | 13 | 235 |
| South Carolina | $50,860 | 520 | 0.68× | 20 | 229 |
| New Mexico | $63,550 | 360 | 1.22× | 7 | 198 |
| Iowa | $48,150 | 560 | 1.08× | 17 | 186 |
| Kentucky | $53,590 | 480 | 0.71× | 14 | 164 |
| Vermontmoderate | $62,450 | 80 | 0.78× | 3 | 161 |
| North Dakota | $48,190 | 130 | 0.93× | 7 | 154 |
| Arkansas | $52,490 | 220 | 0.50× | 11 | 150 |
| Alabama | $46,130 | 310 | 0.43× | 11 | 148 |
| Hawaiilimited | $42,270 | 60 | 0.30× | 2 | 147 |
| Oklahoma | $48,980 | 320 | 0.57× | 14 | 126 |
| Nevada | $50,370 | 320 | 0.62× | 6 | 113 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 | 200 | 1.22× | 7 | 113 |
| Mississippi | $57,130 | 80 | 0.20× | 12 | 109 |
| Louisiana | $48,420 | 120 | 0.19× | 11 | 97 |
| Delawarelimited | — | 110 | 0.69× | 2 | 68 |
| New Hampshire | $56,370 | 240 | 1.03× | 6 | 68 |
| Nebraska | $53,050 | 570 | 1.66× | 7 | 62 |
| Maine | $63,470 | 90 | 0.42× | 6 | 50 |
| West Virginia | — | 120 | 0.50× | 5 | 47 |
| South Dakota | $53,140 | 230 | 1.50× | 6 | 45 |
| Montana | $47,850 | 60 | 0.34× | 5 | 38 |
| Alaskamoderate | — | 150 | 1.34× | 3 | 37 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
- Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.
Skills
- Speaking4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Reading Comprehension3.9
- Writing3.8
- Monitoring3.6
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.7
- Foreign Language4.1
- Customer and Personal Service3.9
- Education and Training3.4
- Administrative3.2
- Public Safety and Security3.1
Abilities
- Oral Expression4.3
- Oral Comprehension4.1
- Written Comprehension4.0
- Written Expression4.0
- Speech Clarity3.9
- Speech Recognition3.9
Core activities
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others4.7
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships4.2
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.2
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.1
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.1
- Getting Information4.0
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Interpreter
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Interpreters and Translators17 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 05.0211Deaf Studies
- 13.1003Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
- 16.0101Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
- 16.0102Linguistics
- 16.0103Language Interpretation and Translation
- 16.0105Applied Linguistics
- 16.0201African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- 16.0300East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- 16.0301Chinese Language and Literature
- 16.0302Japanese Language and Literature
- 16.0303Korean Language and Literature
- 16.0304Tibetan Language and Literature(no graduates reported)
- 16.0399East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- 16.0400Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- 16.0401Baltic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(no graduates reported)
- 16.0402Russian Language and Literature
- 16.0404Albanian Language and Literature(no graduates reported)
- 16.0405Bulgarian Language and Literature(no graduates reported)
- 16.0406Czech Language and Literature(no graduates reported)
- 16.0407Polish Language and Literature
- 16.0408Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian Languages and Literatures(no graduates reported)
- 16.0409Slovak Language and Literature(no graduates reported)
- 16.0410Ukrainian Language and Literature(no graduates reported)
- 16.0499Slavic, Baltic, and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- 16.0500Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an Interpreter?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Spanish Language and Literature, which awarded 6,320 degrees in 2024-25, 28.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Interpreter?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 55 programs to this occupation. The largest are Romance Languages, Linguistic, American Sign Language, East Asian Languages, plus 15 more. Together they graduate about 22,480 people a year.
How much do interpreters and translators earn?+
The median is $60,170 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $37,070 at the 10th percentile to $103,660 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for interpreters and translators growing?+
BLS projects a +1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 6,900 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
1,086 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 55 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do interpreters and translators work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Translator, Interpreter, Medical Interpreter, Sign Language Interpreter among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 27-3091.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card