If you speak multiple languages, you may want to utilize your skills by becoming a medical interpreter. Today, medical interpreting services are gaining more and more recognition in America for their role in breaking language barriers between patients and caregivers in healthcare settings. But having a positive impact on other people’s lives is not the only perk of being in medical interpreting. Job security is also a big perk. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of translation jobs in all industries is projected to increase by 42% from 2010 to 2020. The employment of interpreters and translators is also expected to rise by 18% from 2016 to 2026. The rate is much faster than the 7% average for all occupations overall! Read on to find out more about what you can expect to earn after graduating from medical interpreting training.
Factors Determining a Medical Interpreter Certificate Grad’s Salary
Salaries for medical interpreters and medical translators depend on 6 factors: their experience, the language(s) they speak, their education, their skillfulness, the type of employer, and the certification of the interpreter.
Demand is strong for interpreters of frequently translated languages like Spanish, German, Portuguese, French and Russian. Equally in demand are speakers of Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages, as well as principal Asian languages like Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Hindi. Medical interpreters of indigenous languages from Mexico and Central America such as Zapotec, Mixtec and Mayan languages also receive higher pay because they’re so rare and thus in demand.
The last important factor to consider is where interpreters work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of 2018, living in New Jersey, Virginia and Maine means you’ll earn higher than the average for all interpreting fields. Hospital translators in Washington, DC earn an annual mean wage of $92,420. Meanwhile, those that live in metropolitan areas in Maryland earn $79,510.
How to Start a Career as a Medical Interpreter
So, what can you do to become a medical interpreter? It’s not just about being bilingual or multilingual. Professional medical interpreters must build mastery of basic medical terms in multiple languages. They must also be able to provide fast, accurate consecutive interpreting. Lastly, the skill to maintain discretion and neutrality for the patients they serve is vital.
There are also other steps interpreters can take to be more successful. Most interpreters have a BA or BS degree, if not a graduate degree. Additionally, most of the time, they’ve gone through a medical interpreter course. Medical interpreter training demonstrates professional competence to employers. One step you can take to make yourself even more marketable is by volunteering in a clinic or hospital. This can provide the hands-on, practical experiences many employers seek out. This experience helps build a strong reputation and allows interpreters to advance to more intricate and challenging work.
Salaries for a Medical Interpreter are on the Upswing
Medical interpreters can either be paid a standard salary or work on an hourly rate like other professionals who offer interpreting services or translation services. Their hours can be flexible, depending on if they work full time, part time, per diem or on an on-call basis. They can be stationed directly at the medical facility or work remotely via a telephone.
Per PayScale, as of June 2018, the average pay for a medical interpreter is $19.89 per hour. Depending on their area of expertise and languages they specialize in, they could earn up to $30.74 per hour and $44.41 for per hour for overtime. In May 2017, the highest 10% of interpreters and translators earned more than $82,290 annually. In March 29, 2018, the median annual medical interpreter salary in the US is $43,261, with a range usually between $38,064-$47,430 (depending on a variety of factors).
Again, according to PayScale, an entry-level certified medical interpreter with under 5 years of experience can earn an average of $40,000. Those with 5 – 10 years of experience earn an average of $43,000. With 10 – 20 years, they can earn $47,000. A Medical interpreter with late-career experience earns $52,000. This positive trend of medical interpreter compensation comes as no surprise. Ongoing migration and globalization boost the need for better living and working conditions. Likewise, the rapid aging of the world’s population and the constant presence of chronic diseases require hospitals to expand their staff. Experienced professionals who can provide Chinese interpreting, Spanish interpreting, German interpreting, etc. help meet these demands.
About Language Connections:
Language Connections is one of the top language service companies in the US. Over the last 30 years, we’ve focused on providing the best business translation services, interpreting services, as well as interpreter training and customized language training programs. In addition to top-tier corporate language training, we offer certified corporate interpreters and professional business translation services in 200+ languages. Our network includes linguists with backgrounds in all major industries. They’re ready to meet your needs, whether they’re for technical translation services, legal translation, government translation services, international development translation services, education translation services, life sciences translation, or something else. Reach out to us today for a free quote on our cost-efficient and timely translation services, interpreters, or other linguistic services.
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