Increasing Demand Means Growth In the Field Of Interpreting

As diversity in the United States increases, the demand for spoken-language interpreters will as well.  Fluency in French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish will have bright job prospects. Sign language interpreters should also expect an increase in employment. This comes courtesy of Video Remote Interpreting, a Skype-like service that enables the deaf to communicate with an interpreter online. Meanwhile, persistent interaction with the rest of the globe and the needs of the military mean increased employment of Interpreters in coming years. By 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 42 percent growth in employment in the occupation, with a little less than 25,000 new positions.

The following is courtesy of the Bureau Of Labor Statistics.

According to the BLS, interpreters and translators earned a median of $44,160 in 2011. The best-paid earned about $88,010 while the lowest-paid, usually per diem, earned less than $23,710. Areas of the industry that pay well include computers systems design and related services; management, scientific, and technical consulting services; and federal executive branch. According to the BLS, the East Coast is home to the top-paying metropolitan areas of Washington D.C., Syracuse, N.Y., and Newark, N.J.

Salary Range
75th Percentile	$62,170
Median	$44,160
25th Percentile	$32,020

See Full Salary Data

In July of 2012, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf gave a more formal coating to the process of becoming a nationally certified interpreter, requiring that aspiring hearing interpreters have a bachelor's degree before testing. Other organizations, like the American Translators Association and the International Association of Conference Interpreters, offer various forms of certification as well. Between formal education, certification, and state regulations, becoming an interpreter and translator can be an involved process. While having formal education is becoming increasingly important, those seeking to enter the field must, above all else, be fluent in English and another language.

Looking forward we can summize that the Interpretation field will experience continued growth. However, likely shortages, of interpreters, due to new certification requirements will affect the availability of qualified candidates.  This will likely affect average earninngs pushing them up 10% to 20% percent higher in coming years. 

If you are a biligual individual looking to use your language skills consider Interpretation as a career choice.  Attain the proper education and certification.  Colleges and Universities are the best and most credible sources of training.  In addtition, there are organizations that currently provide Interpreter training as well.  No matter what your decsion is regarding training this is a very good career choice.

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