Interpreter Certification & Your Pay In 2 Top Earning Fields

An interpreter certification can mean different things to different people. To some, it can mean a certified interpreter and to others it can mean a licensed interpreter. A certified interpreter is someone who has completed interpreter training and knows enough about interpreting to find some work. A licensed interpreter is someone who holds an official interpreting license, that can only be issued by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters (NBCMI).

The tricky thing here is that some people who aren't as familiar with interpreting might not know enough about the interpreting certification process, so you have to be very clear about your qualifications. The thing to remember is: all licensed interpreters are certified interpreters... but certified interpreters are not officially licensed until they take the exam. Similar to how doctors must hold a valid license to work in a hospital as a doctor, you must hold an interpreters license to work for the government or to hold an official position. The interpreter licensing exam is a standardized test and you must prove that you have studied enough hours- with an interpreter certification- and practiced interpreting sufficiently just to sign up for the licensing exam. The distinction between a certified and licensed interpreter may seem trivial at first, but it is a very important one to make. Not only can you earn more as a licensed interpreter, but you can also find more work with an interpreter license. The thing is: you must become certified before getting licensed, and there is no way around that.

The top earning fields to get an interpreter certification in are...

When thinking about going for an interpreter certification, adults must commit to going back to school. These are adults who probably have children or family members depending on them, and have to work while also going back to school. Time and money are important commodities and investing them away from other commitments is a big decision that needs to pay off in the end to be worth the effort. Bilingual adults can make successful careers with just an interpreter certification if they do not want to pursue an interpreting license. You don't need an interpreter license to earn a comfortable living, but you will earn more with and have more professional opportunities with a license vs a certificate. Whether you are obtaining an interpreter certification or license, the top earning fields are...

Interpreter certification in the medical and legal fields

The top earning fields for interpreters are the medical and legal fields. A medical interpreter certification requires a 60hr online interpreter training commitment spread out over 7 weeks. On the other hand, legal interpreter certification involves a 45hr online interpreter training class that takes 7 weeks to complete. While it is not required, a 15hr practicum is recommended for all students to get first-hand interpreting experience. Both certifications exceed the minimum requirements to enroll for licensing examinations if that is desired.

Students looking for work as an unlicensed but certified court interpreter or as a medical interpreter, should focus their search on entry-level medical interpreter positions; and can expect an income ranging from $40,000 - $60,000 per year. Experienced or interpreters can expect to earn anywhere from $50,000 - $75,000 depending on different factors like where you want to work, if you want to work for a company or for yourself etc.

Our online interpreter classes are taught by expert instructors ✅ who have real-world experience in their interpreting specialty. They have worked hard to make fully remote online courses unique and engaging ✅ through a hands-on approach to remote learning. All of our online interpreting courses are 100% LIVE via video conferencing technology✅to provide students the best remote experience possible, with the advantages of having an in person class. If you or someone you know is interested in our unique and engaging online Medical Interpreter Training Programs with live instructors, classes are offered in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Somali, Urdu, Ukrainian languages online and onsite.