Interpreters and Translators Salary
Interpreters and Translators in Washington make a median of $61,750 a year, or about $29.69 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $60,533 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 42.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $62K get you in Washington?
About interpreters and translators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Interpreters and translators pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $62K locally vs. $60K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 42.5% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) 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, Washington
Entry-level interpreters and translators (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Interpreters and Translators salary by metro in Washington
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $66K | +7% | 690 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $52K | -16% | 60 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $42K | -32% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track interpreters and translators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
Can a interpreters and translator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $62K, rent takes 42.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new interpreters and translators typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,678/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 68% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $62K locally vs. $60K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for interpreters and translators?
Washington pays $62K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do interpreters and translators make in Washington?
The median is $61,750 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,640, and experienced interpreters and translators can clear $105,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,305/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 42.5% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $60,533 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.