Iowa Median
$48,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $60,170
State Rank
#40 of 47
560 employed here
How much do Interpreters and Translators make in Iowa?
Interpreters and Translators in Iowa take home a median of $48,150 annually — roughly $23.15 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $60,170.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $34,330 while the top 10% make $67,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,450 and $53,620 a year.
Interpreters and Translators salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,330 | $16.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,450 | $19.45 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $53,620 | $25.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,290 | $32.35 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 40th 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 $71,790California $70,770Connecticut $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 $48,190Indiana $48,140Kansas $47,950Montana $47,850Texas $47,510Alabama $46,130Michigan $45,310Hawaii $42,270
Working as Interpreters and Translators in Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($48,150) 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 Iowa?
The median Interpreters and Translators salary in Iowa is $48,150 per year, or about $23.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,330 at the entry level to $67,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Interpreters and Translators about 20% less than the national median of $60,170. Iowa ranks 40th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Interpreters and Translators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,150 a year. About 560 Interpreters and Translators are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.