Interpreters and Translators Salary
Interpreters and Translators in Arizona make a median of $50,150 a year, or about $24.11 an hour. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $52,017 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,437/month, about 42.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $50K get you in Arizona?
About interpreters and translators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Arizona
Pay for interpreters and translators in Arizona runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $60K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,437/month, which is 42% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for interpreters and translatorss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level interpreters and translators (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Interpreters and Translators salary by metro in Arizona
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $58K | +15% | 190 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $50K | -0% | 1,720 |
Compare to other states
Track interpreters and translators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
Can a interpreters and translator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 42% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for interpreters and translators in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new interpreters and translators typically earn — is $32K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,937/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 74% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is interpreters and translator a high-paying job in Arizona?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $50K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for interpreters and translators?
Arizona pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $52K — below the national median.
How much do interpreters and translators make in Arizona?
The median is $50,150 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,280, and experienced interpreters and translators can clear $99,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,423/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 42% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a interpreters and translators salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median interpreters and translators salary is worth about $52,017 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do interpreters and translators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.