Interpreters and Translators Salary
Interpreters and Translators in Minnesota make a median of $66,410 a year, or about $31.93 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $91K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $71,717 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,384/month, about 31.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Minnesota?
About interpreters and translators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Minnesota
Interpreters and translators pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $66K locally vs. $60K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level interpreters and translators (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $91K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Interpreters and Translators salary by metro in Minnesota
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $69K | +4% | 90 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $69K | +4% | 650 |
| Rochester | $65K | -2% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track interpreters and translators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
Can a interpreters and translator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/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 Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new interpreters and translators typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,137/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $66K locally vs. $60K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for interpreters and translators?
Minnesota pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do interpreters and translators make in Minnesota?
The median is $66,410 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,290, and experienced interpreters and translators can clear $91,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,335/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 31.9% 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $71,717 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.