Interpreters may be paid by the day. Court and conference interpreters can earn between $250 to $500 per day, if they are employed by the federal government or by private industry. State courts usually pay a lower rate. Many interpreters work in schools and other settings and are paid much less.
Translators are usually paid by the word, page, or project. Their wages also vary widely.
Full-time interpreters and translators often receive benefits. These include sick leave, vacation, and health insurance.
Interpreters and translators (SOC 27-3091)
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $20.35 | $25.35 | $32.80 |
| Yearly | $42,334 | $52,724 | $68,225 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $21.20 | $23.74 | $30.28 |
| Yearly | $44,105 | $49,378 | $62,981 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $24.13 | $29.68 | $34.76 |
| Yearly | $50,196 | $61,725 | $72,291 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $24.51 | $27.72 | $30.61 |
| Yearly | $50,982 | $57,654 | $63,670 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $14.89 | $15.68 | $22.55 |
| Yearly | $30,982 | $32,612 | $46,914 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $20.85 | $22.06 | $30.44 |
| Yearly | $43,369 | $45,879 | $63,305 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $23.16 | $29.26 | $34.34 |
| Yearly | $48,163 | $60,868 | $71,429 | |
| McHenry County | Hourly | $16.60 | $24.15 | $30.00 |
| Yearly | $34,539 | $50,232 | $62,404 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $18.37 | $18.88 | $25.42 |
| Yearly | $38,199 | $39,272 | $52,878 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $16.01 | $23.30 | $32.67 |
| Yearly | $33,309 | $48,471 | $67,952 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $19.27 | $21.97 | $27.30 |
| Yearly | $40,088 | $45,711 | $56,782 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $21.87 | $24.52 | $26.71 |
| Yearly | $45,496 | $50,997 | $55,554 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $19.97 | $20.37 | $24.40 |
| Yearly | $41,531 | $42,375 | $50,764 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $21.88 | $27.27 | $32.45 |
| Yearly | $45,521 | $56,720 | $67,489 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $15.98 | $22.40 | $28.40 |
| Yearly | $33,247 | $46,599 | $59,075 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $23.16 | $29.56 | $41.25 |
| Yearly | $48,163 | $61,493 | $85,804 | |
| United States | Hourly | $21.54 | $27.45 | $37.00 |
| Yearly | $44,810 | $57,090 | $76,960 | |