California Median
$70,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+18% vs US median
US median $60,170
State Rank
#7 of 47
5,560 employed here
How much do Interpreters and Translators make in California?
Interpreters and Translators in California take home a median of $70,770 annually — roughly $34.02 an hour — which runs 18% above the national median of $60,170.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $49,530 while the top 10% make $119,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,230 and $102,010 a year.
Interpreters and Translators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,530 | $23.81 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,230 | $27.03 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,770 | $34.02 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,010 | $49.04 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,810 | $57.60 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 47 states and territories for Interpreters and Translators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Interpreters and Translators salary in other states
District of Columbia $109,970Maryland $88,550New York $84,090Rhode Island $82,320Massachusetts $72,750Colorado $71,790Connecticut $68,340Minnesota $66,410Oregon $66,300Idaho $66,130Utah $65,770New Mexico $63,550Maine $63,470Wisconsin $63,390Virginia $63,030Vermont $62,450Washington $61,750Ohio $61,230New Jersey $58,970Georgia $57,880Mississippi $57,130Pennsylvania $57,040Missouri $57,010New Hampshire $56,370Illinois $55,290Kentucky $53,590South Dakota $53,140Nebraska $53,050Arkansas $52,490Tennessee $51,080South Carolina $50,860Nevada $50,370Arizona $50,150North Carolina $50,030Oklahoma $48,980Florida $48,930Louisiana $48,420North Dakota $48,190Iowa $48,150Indiana $48,140Kansas $47,950Montana $47,850Texas $47,510Alabama $46,130Michigan $45,310Hawaii $42,270
Working as Interpreters and Translators in California
Nationally, about 52,000 people work as Interpreters and Translators in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($70,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Interpreters and Translators make in California?
The median Interpreters and Translators salary in California is $70,770 per year, or about $34.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,530 at the entry level to $119,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Interpreters and Translators about 18% more than the national median of $60,170. California ranks 7th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Interpreters and Translators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,770 a year. About 5,560 Interpreters and Translators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Interpreters and Translators salary report
Related salaries
$44,660
median pay · 52,000 employed
$75,420
median pay · 26,000 employed
$76,910
median pay · 48,000 employed
$71,240
median pay · 7,000 employed
$47,320
median pay · 249,000 employed
$67,190
median pay · 72,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.