Interpreters and Translators salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Interpreters and Translators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $53,590 a year ($25.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,800 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is about the same as the Kentucky statewide median of $53,590. There are 0.25 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $54,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,510 | $18.03 |
| 25th percentile | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Median | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| 75th percentile | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Average (mean) | $54,970 | $26.43 |
Half of interpreters and translators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,465.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,232.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,061.15 |
| Weekly | $1,030.58 |
| Hourly | $25.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Interpreters and Translators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $66,980 | n/a |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $66,320 | 120 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,100 | 520 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,660 | 1,070 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $47,820 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $47,690 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $47,530 | 700 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $44,000 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for interpreters and translators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109,970 |
| Maryland | $88,550 |
| New York | $84,090 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 |
| Colorado | $71,790 |
| California | $70,770 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 |
| Oregon | $66,300 |
See Interpreters and Translators pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Writers and Authors | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $49,370 | $23.74 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| Technical Writer | $89,260 | $42.91 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $34,780 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Producers and Directors | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Floral Designer | $35,700 | $17.16 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a interpreters and translators make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $53,590 a year, or $25.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $75,800 a year. The top 25% earn $64,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,510 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $47,340 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 170 interpreters and translators are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.