Interpreters and Translators Salary
Interpreters and Translators in Rhode Island make a median of $82,320 a year, or about $39.58 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $80,888 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,544/month, or 29.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Rhode Island?
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Rhode Island sits well above the national pay line for interpreters and translators, local pay runs about 37% higher than the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,544/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rhode Island
Entry-level interpreters and translators (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $134K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Interpreters and Translators salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $69K | -16% | 340 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a interpreters and translator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
Yes — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 29.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for interpreters and translators in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new interpreters and translators typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,087/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Rhode Island?
Local pay is 37% above the national median — $82K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for interpreters and translators?
Rhode Island pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +37%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do interpreters and translators make in Rhode Island?
The median is $82,320 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,450, and experienced interpreters and translators can clear $134,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,299/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 29.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a interpreters and translators salary go in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median interpreters and translators salary is worth about $80,888 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.