Interpreters and Translators salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Interpreters and Translators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $64,700 a year ($31.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,730 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $63,390. There are 0.59 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| 25th percentile | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Median | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| 75th percentile | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,730 | $39.78 |
| Average (mean) | $65,780 | $31.62 |
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 | $5,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,695.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,488.46 |
| Weekly | $1,244.23 |
| Hourly | $31.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,700 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Madison, WI | $72,720 | 220 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $68,980 | 650 |
| Green Bay, WI | $63,520 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $63,340 | 40 |
| Appleton, WI | $61,210 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Technical Writer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $64,700 a year, or $31.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $82,730 a year. The top 25% earn $78,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,950 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $55,810 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 480 interpreters and translators are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.