Interpreters and Translators salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Interpreters and Translators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $94,510 a year ($45.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,150 for the top 10%. That is 57% higher than the national median of $60,170. Pay here is 14% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $109,970. There are 0.52 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,460, close to the median.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,920 | $27.37 |
| 25th percentile | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Median | $94,510 | $45.44 |
| 75th percentile | $118,400 | $56.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,150 | $65.46 |
| Average (mean) | $93,460 | $44.93 |
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 | $7,875.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,937.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,635 |
| Weekly | $1,817.50 |
| Hourly | $45.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $83,200 | 370 |
| Richmond, VA | $78,030 | 140 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $65,910 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $57,940 | 770 |
| Roanoke, VA | $54,630 | 40 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $40,580 | 30 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $108,460 | $52.14 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $75,710 | $36.40 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $51,880 | $24.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Interior Designer | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,320 | $21.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $94,510 a year, or $45.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $136,150 a year. The top 25% earn $118,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,920 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $62,810 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,630 interpreters and translators are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.