Did you know you could make money as translator? Here is a guide on the different platforms where you can get paid as a translator.
Ever since the beginning of the digital era, people have been increasingly searching for language skills. With tons of multinational companies worldwide, there are many opportunities in the translating industry.
As a translator, you can offer companies your bilingual skills and help them translate their content in a way that appeals to their audience.
If you are one of those that are lucky to have bilingual skills, here are some websites where you can make money as translator.
Quick Review
Here are some platforms where you can make money as translator:
- TranslatorsCafe: A translation site that allows you to review agencies.
- Transperfect Translations: A platform that offers localization, translations, and other language-related tasks.
- Gengo: Earn more as your level increases.
- Fiverr: Your rates are based on the length of the project or hourly rate.
- PeoplePerHour: You can sometimes find a job immediately.
- Capita Translation and Interpreting: Translation jobs on the site are well paid.
- Protranslating: The platform has a constant workflow.
- Lionbridge: It offers translation, content, testing, and AI services.
- Acclaro: This site is always in need of freelance translators.
- Unbabel: You can translate blog posts, product descriptions, and newsletters.
- TextMaster: A professional translation, proofreading, and website content writing company.
- WorldLingo: Both generalist and specialist translators can work here.
Detailed Guide
In this section, I will explain how each of the platforms listed above works. After going through this article, you should be able to pick at least one site that you can join to translate articles:
1. TranslatorsCafe
TranslatorsCafe is a website where you can find translation jobs on the internet. You can upload your CV on the website and also state your rates based on the language(s) you want to translate.
Also, you can choose your profile picture and describe the areas you want to specialize in. Apart from translation, you can also offer subtitling, interpretation, editing, transcriptions, and localization services.
The platform also allows you to rate agencies and leave feedback. These will be left on your profile and visible to companies that may like to hire you. One of the best features of this site is the translation job board.
The site uploads translation jobs that align with your language combinations. You can contact the companies that upload the jobs by sending them your CV and asking questions about the job details. The platform can offer you many jobs and companies that are satisfied with your service will keep contacting you after completing the first translation for them.
On TranslatorsCafe, you can build long-term relationships with companies and clients without paying anything. You don’t need to upgrade your membership. However, upgrading your membership can give you access to some benefits (such as access to jobs and top placements on the website).
The upgrade costs $40, $70, and $110 for 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months respectively. You can still get jobs without upgrading your membership.
Click here to visit TranslatorsCafe.
2. Transperfect Translations
Transperfect Translations is the biggest translation agency in the world. Based in New York, the company has 75 subsidiaries throughout the world. The company offers localization, translations, and other language-related services.
If you offer good translation services on the site, they will keep providing you with jobs daily. You can also earn a full-time income on the site. Your earnings will be paid via PayPal or check.
Although the site has strict deadlines and this can stress you out. The time required to complete translations is limited and you are always under pressure to deliver. If you can work under pressure, then you can try this platform.
Click here to visit Transperfect Translations.
3. Gengo
Gengo is another reliable site where you can make money as translator. After registering on the site, you write a translation test for the language that you want to translate on the site. The site’s professional translators will review the test and get back to you.
If you pass the test, you can start working on the site as a translator. The jobs on this platform are usually small; so you will not translate lots of words.
Although there are cases where you will be required to translate many sentences but the deadlines are strict and you need to work fast. You can increase your level from a Standard translator to a Pro translator as you keep working on the site.
You can work on regular jobs after passing the standard test. To work on jobs that pay higher rates, you need to pass the Pro test. You must also pass the proofreading test if you work on proofreading jobs. Payment on the site starts from $0.03 per word; this is the least payment in the industry.
However, you can earn more if you are a Pro translator.
4. Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance platforms in the world. It is a reliable site with over 14 million active users. Although there are different kinds of jobs on the site, you can also make money as translator on the platform.
It is easy to create an account on the site and your rates are based on the length of the project or hourly rate. To start working on Fiver, your profile should be optimized and you need to have a compelling profile description that sells the service you offer.
SEE: High-Paying Services You Can Offer on Fiverr
Getting started on Fiverr often takes some effort but once you get a client, ensure they drop a review on your profile. You will find it easier to find jobs as you keep getting more reviews.
5. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour acts as a mediator platform between businesses and freelancers. The site operates on a concept that is similar to that of Fiverr. To get started on the site, you need to set up your profile, describe your service, showcase your rates, and submit proposals for jobs.
This platform also has a section of urgent jobs that you can apply for. One of the best features of this site is that you can sometimes find a job immediately.
Click here to visit PeoplePerHour.
6. Capita Translation and Interpreting
Capita Translation and Interpreting is a language services company based in Great Britain. The company is a large agency that can give you jobs once you portray yourself as being knowledgeable and experienced.
Translation jobs on the site are well paid and the deadlines are also feasible. To join their team of translators, you need to send your CV to them via suppliers@capita-ti.com.
Click here to visit Capita Translation and Interpreting.
7. Protranslating
Based in Florida, Protranslating is a popular international translation agency. The platform is pleasant to work with and has a constant workflow. They offer personalized training on their translation software.
The agency has a professional invoicing procedure and also pays as at when due. You can try them out if you want to make money as translator.
Click here to visit Protranslating.
7. Lionbridge
Lionbridge offers translation, content, testing, and AI services. These areas have different freelance opportunities. The site has different translation jobs thereby making it a great platform to earn as a translator.
The platform pays translators between £17 and £20 per hour.
Click here to visit Lionbridge.
8. Acclaro
Acclaro is a platform that is always in need of freelance translators. The site accepts experienced freelancers. As a result, you can find jobs that pay high rates.
The site works as an agency, thereby allowing you to get paid by Acclaro and not individuals. Most of the vacancies on the site require you to have a literature degree, language certifications, or experience in translation.
Acclaro pays translators between £68,000 and £73,000 per annum.
9. Unbabel
Unbabel provides online translation services to its clients. The platform allows translators to translate content such as blog posts, product descriptions, newsletters, and lots more.
Unbabel pays per hour. As a translator, you can earn between $8 and $18 per hour and you will receive your payments through PayPal. You are also free to withdraw your earnings anytime you want.
10. TextMaster
TextMaster is a professional translation, proofreading, and website content writing company. The company hires translators all over the world. You can earn about $15 per word depending on the type of project you’re working on.
It is simple to start working on TextMaster. Just sign up on the platform’s official site and complete the skill test. If you pass the test, you can choose and also translate jobs that suit you.
Click here to visit TextMaster.
11. WorldLingo
WorldLingo offers computer translation services online. The site hires both generalist and specialist translators. You need to meet the following criteria to work on WorldLingo:
- You must have a university degree.
- Membership in a professional translation association, and
- At least 2 to 5 years of translation experience.
If you meet the criteria above, you can go ahead and register on the site.
Click here to visit WorldLingo.
How Much Can You Make as a Translator?
If you are a beginner, you can earn between $0.04 and $0.08 per word. Ensure you set a reasonable minimum rate. This can be between $15 and $30 for the administrative tasks that may be involved in the job.
SEE: Tips for Making Money Speaking Another Language
The Use of Translation Software
If you want to work as a full-time translator, you need to buy translator software. One such software is Wordfast. It is a great software that works perfectly for translating content. The software is easy to use and helps you work faster and more efficiently.
Another software that you can use for translation is Trados. It is more complex to use and also more expensive than Wordfast. However, experienced translators cannot do without it. Some agencies may ask you to work with Trados while others will allow you to work with what you have.
FAQs
Do you need a degree to work as a translator?
No, you don’t need a college degree to work as a translator. Apart from WorldLingo that requires a university degree, most platforms don’t require a degree. Although a degree will give you a higher chance of being hired by employers, it is not the main thing that matters.
Can you make good money as a translator?
Yes, you can earn good money as a translator. The average salary of a translator in the United States is $19.67 per hour. Although many language professionals earn thrice the average wage, the specific income is determined by your skills and the area you specialize in.
You can earn more than $66 per hour if you are certified by the American Translators Association.
Is being a translator a good career?
Translation is a good career; it offers many benefits if you pursue it professionally. Being a translator is not just a good career, it is also a means of fulfilling a passion where you can learn new things daily.
SEE: Easiest Ways to Make Money in the College
Conclusion
This article has revealed the different platforms where you can make money as translator. If you pursue translation professionally, you can get the life you crave with the opportunities this industry has to offer.
Now that you’ve gone through the post, you might have one or two ideas about the company to join. Before you make any choice, ensure you compare what you are capable of offering with the skills required by these translation companies.
Once you find a company whose requirements align with your expertise, you can go ahead and join. However, if you want to get started right away, then I recommend joining Fiverr; its entry requirements are simple, and the site is also easy to use.
Earning online as a translator is one of the numerous ways to work from home. There are many other opportunities through which you can make money online, right from the comfort of your home.
Check out this article on the proven ways to make money online for free. Thanks for reading.
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