What Does a Sign Language Interpreter Do?
Sign language interpreters turn spoken English into American Sign Language and a deaf person's signing back into spoken English, in classrooms, doctors' offices, courtrooms and video relay calls. Long or technical sessions are worked in pairs, with interpreters trading off every few minutes. Some also transliterate, keeping English word order for people who prefer it.
Also known as: Interpreter Trainer, Interpreter/Transliterator, Senior Interpreter/Transliterator
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as American Sign Language Interpreter (ASL Interpreter), Court Interpreter, Educational Interpreter, Interpreter, Linguist, Medical Interpreter, Spanish Interpreter, Spanish Translator.
Sign Language Interpreter Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a sign language interpreter include:
- Interpret between spoken English and American Sign Language in classes, appointments and meetings.
- Transliterate lectures into signed English for students who prefer English word order.
- Prepare for assignments by reading slides, scripts and terms, and agreeing signs for technical vocabulary.
- Work in teams on long or complex sessions, switching roles every few minutes to stay accurate.
- Voice for deaf speakers, turning their signed remarks into clear spoken English.
- Interpret through video remote and video relay platforms from a studio or home setup.
- Choose positions and lighting in each room so deaf participants can see signs clearly.
- Follow the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct on confidentiality, impartiality and role boundaries.
- Mentor newer interpreters and run skills workshops as an interpreter trainer.
- Record assignment hours and keep up continuing education units for certification maintenance.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a sign language interpreter, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Native-like fluency in ASL and English
- RID certification or a state credential
- Transliteration into signed English
- Video remote and relay interpreting
- Knowledge of Deaf culture
- Strict confidentiality and professional ethics
- Physical stamina and good ergonomics
- Quick, accurate processing under pressure
Education and Training
Most interpreters learn through an interpreter education program, often a bachelor's degree, but some grow up signing with deaf parents and earn their credentials later. To interpret in schools, courts or hospitals, in many states you will need RID national certification or a state license. Mentored practice helps new interpreters.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $46,530 - $80,830 per year, with a median of $60,170.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Interpreters and Translators.
BLS counts sign language interpreters within the wider group of interpreters and translators, which it projects to grow about 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, with roughly 6,000 openings a year. Demand often is tied to school and video relay services, but certified interpreters are needed wherever deaf people see a doctor, go to court or attend class.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Interpreters and translators.
Sign Language Interpreter Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $37,070 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $46,530 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $60,170 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $80,830 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $103,660 |
Highest-Paying States for Sign Language Interpreters
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are District of Columbia ($109,970), Maryland ($88,550), New York ($84,090), Rhode Island ($82,320), Massachusetts ($72,750). Pay is lowest in Alabama ($46,130), Michigan ($45,310), Hawaii ($42,270).
Median pay in all 47 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,130 |
| Arizona | $50,150 |
| Arkansas | $52,490 |
| California | $70,770 |
| Colorado | $71,790 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 |
| District of Columbia | $109,970 |
| Florida | $48,930 |
| Georgia | $57,880 |
| Hawaii | $42,270 |
| Idaho | $66,130 |
| Illinois | $55,290 |
| Indiana | $48,140 |
| Iowa | $48,150 |
| Kansas | $47,950 |
| Kentucky | $53,590 |
| Louisiana | $48,420 |
| Maine | $63,470 |
| Maryland | $88,550 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 |
| Michigan | $45,310 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 |
| Mississippi | $57,130 |
| Missouri | $57,010 |
| Montana | $47,850 |
| Nebraska | $53,050 |
| Nevada | $50,370 |
| New Hampshire | $56,370 |
| New Jersey | $58,970 |
| New Mexico | $63,550 |
| New York | $84,090 |
| North Carolina | $50,030 |
| North Dakota | $48,190 |
| Ohio | $61,230 |
| Oklahoma | $48,980 |
| Oregon | $66,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,040 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 |
| South Carolina | $50,860 |
| South Dakota | $53,140 |
| Tennessee | $51,080 |
| Texas | $47,510 |
| Utah | $65,770 |
| Vermont | $62,450 |
| Virginia | $63,030 |
| Washington | $61,750 |
| Wisconsin | $63,390 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as interpreters and translators about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 98% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 93% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 74% use email every day
- 72% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 72% work against deadlines every day
- 60% spend more than half the workday sitting
- 41% deal with rude or angry people at least once a week
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 55% |
| Master's degree | 28% |
| High school diploma or GED | 8% |
Tools and Software Sign Language Interpreters Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy organized work with data, records and clear procedures as well as creative work and self-expression.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Monitoring.
Knowledge areas used most: English Language, Foreign Language, Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training, Administrative.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 4 of 5, which means considerable preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 27-3091.00 (Interpreters and Translators). View on O*NET OnLine.
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