Would you like to make money as an interpreter? Keep reading to discover how you can find jobs online as an interpreter.
Working as an interpreter is a huge opportunity to earn additional income from home. The way we consume information these days is different from how information was consumed decades ago.
We can now go paperless reading sites, PDF documents, and lots more. There are also different applications to save pages that people can read on mobile devices. Technology has made our world smaller and more connected.
However, as we speak different languages, it is difficult to find a place convenient for everyone to confidently read the information posted.
To solve this challenge, publishers or readers can hire interpreters. These people are referred to as freelance interpreters.
As a freelance interpreter, you can complete interpretation jobs online and get rewarded per word that you interpret. In this article, I have highlighted different platforms where you can get jobs and make money as an interpreter.
1. Unbabel
Unbabel is one of the largest groups of interpreters online. It has more than 40,000 professional interpreters that work in more than 28 languages. As a beginner, you can earn about $8 per hour on the site.
As you gain more experience and become an expert, you can charge more and can earn about $18 per hour.
One of the advantages of the site is that apart from providing the interpreters with the copy of the document that needs to be interpreted, it also provides the AI-generation version of the document. This can be very helpful to you.
SEE: Tips for Making Money with Your Voice
Apart from this, the platform also has a mobile app that allows you to make money on the go.
2. Translate.com
This site is a freelance network where interpreters and customers can connect. The site has a growing community of interpreters that offer accurate human interpretations.
If you understand different languages, you can sign up on the site and offer paid interpretation services.
Every task on the site is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no bidding or waiting for interpretations. You will also have to take a test to ensure that you are qualified in the languages you intend to translate.
Furthermore, you can interpret blog articles, support tickets, social media posts, and lots more. You can withdraw your earnings directly to your PayPal account.
Click here to visit Translate.com.
3. TranslatorsBase
This works the same way woodworkers use straightkerfs.com to get advice on the best Miter saws. Freelance interpreters use TranslatorBase to land jobs.
Interpreters need a platform where they can interpret without being glued to a schedule. TranslatorsBase provides this. The site has a network of over 60,000 interpreters that work on over 85,000 projects every year.
When you use this platform, you will not only get interpretation jobs, you can also hire the services of interpretation agencies.
Click here to visit TranslatorsBase.
4. TRADUguide
Another site that you can join to make money as an interpreter is TRADUguide. This site is a decent platform for finding different interpretation jobs. The platform allows you to see and bid on different interpretation jobs that it lists.
Working on TRADUguide as a freelance interpreter can earn you a decent salary. On the main page of the site, you will find tasks that clients list. You can bid on any of the tasks and can also send your profile to a maximum of 4 clients per day.
Click here to visit TRADUguide.
5. ProZ
If you are interested in finding the best interpretation jobs all over the world, then you need to consider ProZ.
ProZ is a free site where you can bid and work on interpretation jobs from different clients. You can earn great fees by working on this platform.
All you need to do is to create a profile and work on different orders. Apart from making money as an interpreter, this site also allows you to work based on your schedule.
6. TranslatorsCafe
TranslatorsCafe is one of the sites that you can also join to make money as an interpreter. You can work on this site as a freelance interpreter.
Just like the other sites in this article, you can register and also send your profile to clients based on the type of projects they have listed.
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TranslatorsCafe allows you to directly get in touch with clients through email. As a result, you can get the contact details of your clients and conclude on your terms, and also start working on projects.
Click here to visit TranslatorsCafe.
7. Upwork
Formerly known as Odesk, Upwork is a freelance website that has a section where interpreters can find jobs. You can work on the site as an interpreter and make money.
Also, you can interpret different languages depending on the needs of your clients.
To get started, simply sign up and bid for orders. You can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, Skrill, and Payoneer. The minimum threshold for PayPal and Skrill is $1 while that of Payoneer is $20.
8. WorldLingo
WorldLingo provides free computer interpretation services and professional interpretations. Interpreters are grouped into two on the site; generalists and specialists.
To offer interpretation services on the site, you must have at least five years of continuous interpretation experience in a commercial setting. You must also have a degree and must be a member of a professional association.
Click here to visit WorldLingo.
9. 1-800-Translate
1-800-Translate is another platform where you can make money as an interpreter. The company works with freelance translators and on-site interpreters. There is a list of job opportunities on the site that you can choose from.
To work on the site, you need to provide your cover letter and resume. They are also interested in hiring linguists that are experienced in editing posts interpreted by machines.
Click here to visit 1-800-Translate.
10. SDL
In addition to its automated interpretation done by software, SDL also offers paid interpretation jobs.
To start working on the site, simply apply. You need to have at least two years of freelance interpretation experience or at least one year of in-house interpretation experience.
Applications from interpreters that have equivalent alternative experience can also be considered.
11. Transperfect Translations
Transperfect Translations is a great agency that you can work with to make money as an interpreter. Based in New York, the company has 75 subsidiaries throughout the world.
You can join the company to offer interpretation, localization, and other language services.
You can find jobs daily on the site; with this, you can make a full-time income by working with the site. The drawback of the site is its strict deadlines which can stress you.
The strict deadline does not give you enough time to complete jobs and you are always under pressure.
SEE: How to Learn a New Language
You can withdraw your earnings via PayPal or check. If you can work under pressure, then you can sign up for an account on the site.
Click here to visit Transperfect Translations.
12. Gengo
Another reliable agency that you can join is Gengo. After registering on the site, you have to complete a test for the languages that you want to interpret and wait for their professionals to review your test.
If you pass the test, you can start working on the site as an interpreter. The jobs on this site are usually small; this implies that you may not have lots of words to interpret.
However, you may find jobs that require you to interpret more than a few sentences but the deadlines for these projects are usually short and you need to work fast.
You can grow from the Standard level to the Pro level on Gengo. When you pass the standard test, you can work on regular jobs. To earn a better income, you need to pass the Pro test. The proofreading test qualifies you for proofreading jobs.
The payment on Gengo starts from $0.03 per word but you can earn more if you are on the Pro level.
13. Capita Translation and Interpreting
Capita Translation and Interpreting is a language services agency that is based in Great Britain.
The agency can provide you with regular interpretation jobs after proving that you are knowledgeable and have the expertise to work on their projects.
The interpretation jobs are well paid and their deadlines are also reasonable. If you want to make money as an interpreter with the agency, send your CV to them via suppliers@capita-ti.com.
Click here to visit Capita Translation and Interpreting.
14. ProTranslating
This is a widely recognized international interpretation agency that is based in Florida. The agency is pleasant to work with and also has a constant flow of interpretation jobs. You will undergo personalized training on their software.
This means that you don’t need to buy any expensive software. They also have a professional invoicing procedure. Your payments will also be paid as at when due.
Click here to visit ProTranslating.
How Much Can You Make as an Interpreter?
Based on the findings obtained from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, interpreters can make at least $43,590 per year. This amounts to $20.96 per hour.
The interpretation tasks can range from interpreting hundreds of pages of technical or legal content to facilitating email correspondence. Your income will depend on the difficulty of the translation, but it can also be negotiated.
With that said, the rate can either be $0.10 or $0.20 per word. You can also be paid per hour. The hourly rates for interpreters can range between $10 and $100, depending on how fast you are and your abilities.
Having a professional certification in interpretation or translation can also help you command higher rates.
SEE: Best App to Learn a New Language
Requirements You Need to Work as an Interpreter
The only requirement you need to work as an interpreter is to know the language.
For instance, if you want to interpret French, you need to be able to read, write, and communicate in French. You must also know the meaning of French words.
Once you fulfill this requirement, you are set to make money as an interpreter.
FAQs
Can you make money as an interpreter?
Yes, you can make money as an interpreter. If you are an entry-level interpreter, you can earn an average of $35,271. The next 25 percent of interpreters with a few years of experience can earn an average of $40,272.
Interpreters with more experience can earn up to $45,764.
Is it worth it to become an interpreter?
Yes, it is. The job prospects for interpreters are great. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of interpreters will increase by 18 percent through 2026. This more than doubles the level of employment of the careers tracked by BLS.
More so, working as an interpreter allows you to work in line with your schedule.
Which language pays the most?
Chinese (Mandarin) is the language that pays the most in the language interpretation industry. People that speak and interpret Chinese earn well.
Conclusion
So, we have considered the different platforms where you can make money as an interpreter.
Professional interpretation is not a task you can just jump into, you need to have the right background and must also be able to communicate in different languages. You must be able to speak the destination language fluently.
If you are fortunate enough to understand a foreign language, there are many opportunities through which you can earn additional income. You can take up a full-time or part-time career in interpreting for people or agencies.
If you are ready to start, you can sign up on Upwork. This platform is easy to use and you can work with clients from different parts of the world. Their payment methods are also hassle-free.
You can also work with an agency by joining Capita Translation and Interpreting. There are lots of jobs on the site and you can earn a full-time income by working as an interpreter with the agency.
If you’re interested in making money from home, check out this guide on how you can earn with your voice. Thanks for reading.
