Interpreters and Translators Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Interpreters and Translators in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA make a median of $72,160 a year, or about $34.69 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $66,324 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 66.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $72K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Maria-Santa Barbara’s Regional Price Parity (108.8). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level interpreters and translators (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $136K or more, a $96K spread from bottom to top.
Interpreters and Translators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $85K | +42% | 3,650 |
| District of Columbia | $81K | +37% | 160 |
| Maryland | $78K | +32% | 870 |
| Virginia | $74K | +25% | 2,610 |
| California | $74K | +24% | 6,710 |
| Washington | $70K | +17% | 1,620 |
| Utah | $66K | +11% | 690 |
| Massachusetts | $65K | +10% | 2,250 |
| West Virginia | $64K | +7% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $63K | +7% | 1,060 |
| Georgia | $62K | +4% | 1,730 |
| Oregon | $62K | +3% | 1,220 |
| Wisconsin | $61K | +3% | 1,190 |
| Vermont | $60K | +1% | 80 |
| Alaska | $59K | -0% | 100 |
| New Mexico | $59K | -1% | 460 |
| Ohio | $58K | -3% | 1,670 |
| Wyoming | $58K | -3% | 30 |
| Connecticut | $58K | -3% | 220 |
| Idaho | $56K | -5% | 300 |
| Maine | $55K | -8% | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $55K | -8% | 50 |
| Illinois | $54K | -9% | 1,860 |
| Kentucky | $54K | -9% | 570 |
| Michigan | $52K | -12% | 540 |
| Missouri | $52K | -12% | 400 |
| Arkansas | $51K | -14% | 230 |
| North Carolina | $51K | -14% | 1,800 |
| Iowa | $50K | -16% | 510 |
| Delaware | $50K | -16% | 90 |
| South Dakota | $50K | -17% | 230 |
| Tennessee | $49K | -17% | 710 |
| Nebraska | $49K | -17% | 570 |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | -18% | 1,050 |
| Arizona | $48K | -19% | 2,040 |
| Nevada | $48K | -19% | 450 |
| Kansas | $48K | -20% | 440 |
| Hawaii | $48K | -20% | 70 |
| Indiana | $47K | -20% | 990 |
| South Carolina | $47K | -21% | 440 |
| Oklahoma | $47K | -22% | 330 |
| Florida | $46K | -22% | 4,500 |
| Montana | $46K | -22% | 60 |
| North Dakota | $46K | -22% | N/A |
| Alabama | $46K | -23% | 360 |
| Texas | $46K | -23% | 5,820 |
| New Jersey | $45K | -24% | 1,090 |
| Louisiana | $45K | -24% | 150 |
| Mississippi | $43K | -27% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track interpreters and translators salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
How much do interpreters and translators make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $72,160 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,180, and experienced interpreters and translators can clear $136,250. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,690/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month, which eats 66.6% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 $66,324 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.