Interpreters and Translators salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Interpreters and Translators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $49,270 a year ($23.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,040 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $48,420. There are 0.11 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33). The average (mean) salary is $53,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Median | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| 75th percentile | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Average (mean) | $53,400 | $25.68 |
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 | $4,105.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,052.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,895 |
| Weekly | $947.50 |
| Hourly | $23.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Writers and Authors | $79,020 | $37.99 |
| Technical Writer | $62,990 | $30.28 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,980 | $36.53 |
| Editor | $61,260 | $29.45 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,030 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $37.26 |
| Graphic Designer | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Floral Designer | $34,110 | $16.40 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $49,270 a year, or $23.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $79,040 a year. The top 25% earn $57,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,320 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $48,010 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 50 interpreters and translators are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.