Interpreters and Translators Salary
Interpreters and Translators in Kentucky make a median of $53,590 a year, or about $25.77 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $59,393 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,110/month, about 31.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $54K get you in Kentucky?
About interpreters and translators
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Pay for interpreters and translators in Kentucky runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,110/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level interpreters and translators (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $82K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Interpreters and Translators salary by metro in Kentucky
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $66K | +24% | 120 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $54K | +0% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track interpreters and translators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a interpreters and translator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $54K, rent takes 31% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/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 Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new interpreters and translators typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,110/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 Kentucky?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $54K here vs. $60K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for interpreters and translators?
Kentucky pays $54K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $59K — below the national median.
How much do interpreters and translators make in Kentucky?
The median is $53,590 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,160, and experienced interpreters and translators can clear $81,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,580/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 31% 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (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 $59,393 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.