Interpreters and Translators Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Interpreters and Translators in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$109,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+83% vs US median
US median $60,170
State Rank
#1 of 47
280 employed here

How much do Interpreters and Translators make in District of Columbia?

Interpreters and Translators working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $109,970 per year, or about $52.87 per hour. That is 83% above the national median of $60,170 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $58,720 while the top 10% make $128,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,060 and $124,450 a year.

Interpreters and Translators salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$58,720$28.23
25th percentile (early career)$77,060$37.05
50th percentile (median)$109,970$52.87
75th percentile (experienced)$124,450$59.83
90th percentile (top earners)$128,610$61.83

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories for Interpreters and Translators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$109,970
2Maryland$88,550
3New York$84,090
4Rhode Island$82,320
5Massachusetts$72,750

Working as Interpreters and Translators in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($109,970) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Interpreters and Translators salary in District of Columbia is $109,970 per year, or about $52.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,720 at the entry level to $128,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Interpreters and Translators about 83% more than the national median of $60,170. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Interpreters and Translators?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $109,970 a year. About 280 Interpreters and Translators are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Interpreters and Translators salary report

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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.