Translator

What does a translator do?

• Read and research source texts to understand their meaning and context.
• Translate documents, websites, software, books or subtitles into the target language.
• Review and correct machine translation output, a task often called post-editing.
• Use translation memory and terminology tools to keep wording consistent.
• Research specialist terms in fields such as law, medicine or engineering.
• Check and proofread translations by other translators.
• Adapt content to local culture, units and conventions, a process known as localisation.

Where do they work?

Many translators are self-employed and work from home for agencies and direct clients around the world. Others work in-house for translation and localisation companies, international organisations, governments, courts, publishers, law firms and technology companies. The work is computer-based and mostly done alone, with deadlines that can be tight. Freelancers can often choose their hours, but they must find clients, send invoices and cope with uneven workloads.

What skills do you need?

• Excellent command of at least two languages
• Outstanding writing in the target language
• Knowledge of a specialist field
• Computer-assisted translation tools
• Research and terminology skills
• Cultural awareness
• Attention to detail
• Self-discipline and freelance business skills

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• maintain updated professional knowledge
• speak different languages
• apply grammar and spelling rules
• consult information sources
• translate texts
• revise translation works
• update language skills
• comprehend the material to be translated
• preserve original text
• follow an ethical code of conduct for translation activities
• develop a translation strategy
• use dictionaries

Essential knowledge: information confidentiality · office software · grammar · spelling

How do you become a translator?

Most translators have a degree in modern languages, translation or linguistics, and many complete a master's degree in translation. You usually translate into your native language or the language you know best. Specialist knowledge matters a lot: a background in law, medicine, engineering or finance combined with strong language skills can lead to more specialised and steady work. Professional associations in many countries offer exams and membership that help build trust with clients. For official documents, you may need sworn or certified status, which has its own rules in each country.

1. University degree. A bachelor's degree in modern languages, translation or linguistics builds your language skills, often with time spent studying or working abroad. A master's degree in translation adds professional training, translation technology and specialist practice, and is widely respected by employers and international organisations.
2. Specialist from another field. Some translators first train and work in another field, such as law, medicine, engineering or finance, and then translate in that area. Their subject knowledge is highly valued. They usually still need to show strong translation skills, for example through a professional association's exam or a postgraduate course.
3. Sworn or certified translator. To translate official documents, such as birth certificates or court papers, many countries require you to be sworn, certified or appointed by a court or ministry. This usually involves a relevant degree or a state exam, and sometimes registration on an official list. Check the rules in the country where you want to work.

Degrees that lead to this career

• Modern languages

  A modern languages degree teaches you to speak, write and understand one or more foreign languages to a high level, together with the culture, history and literature of the places where they are spoken.

  5 linked careers

• English literature

  An English literature degree teaches you to read, analyse and write about novels, poetry, plays and other texts written in English, from medieval writing to the present day.

  6 linked careers

• International relations

  An international relations degree studies how countries, international organisations, businesses and other groups interact across borders.

  5 linked careers

Ready to apply? Build a free CV and cover letter with our CV builder

Do you need a licence to work as a translator?

Translation is partly regulated. In most countries anyone can work as a translator for general content, and the title is not protected. However, official documents often need a sworn, certified or officially appointed translator. In many European and Latin American countries, a court, ministry or professional body grants this status after an exam or proof of qualifications. In other countries, such as the United States, translator certification is voluntary and run by professional associations. Always check the rules of the country where the translation will be used.

How much does a translator earn?

Pay in the United States

• $60,170Median annual wage, May 2025
• $37,070–$103,660Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 52.1KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 27-3091, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes translator and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Junior or in-house translator
2. Translator
3. Senior translator or reviser
4. Specialist translator or translation project manager
5. Localisation manager or translation business owner

Job outlook

Machine translation and AI tools have changed the job significantly. They now handle much routine and high-volume content, which has reduced demand and rates for some general translation work. Human translators remain important where accuracy, legal responsibility, creativity or cultural sensitivity matter, such as in legal, medical, literary and marketing texts. Many translators now spend more time editing machine output, checking quality and advising on localisation. Specialist knowledge and strong professional networks are increasingly important.

Questions about becoming a translator

What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?

Translators work with written text, such as documents, books, websites and subtitles, and have time to research and revise. Interpreters work with spoken or signed language in real time, for example at conferences, in courts or in hospitals. Some people do both, but they are different skills and often have separate training.

Do you need a degree to be a translator?

A degree is not always legally required, but most professional translators have one in languages, translation or a specialist subject. Agencies and international organisations often ask for a degree, a master's in translation or a professional qualification. For sworn or certified translation, many countries require specific qualifications or an official exam.

Will AI replace translators?

AI has already taken over some routine translation and changed how many translators work. It is less reliable for legal, medical, creative and culturally sensitive texts, where mistakes can be serious and someone must take responsibility. The job is shifting towards reviewing machine output, specialist translation and quality control, and entry-level work has become harder to find.

How many languages do you need to be a translator?

Two languages are enough to start: your native language and one other language that you know extremely well. Most translators work only into their native language. A second foreign language can bring more work, but depth of knowledge and a specialist field usually matter more than the number of languages.

Related careers

• Language teacher

  Language teachers help children and adults learn to speak, understand, read and write a new language.

  Degree often expected

• Diplomat

  Diplomats represent their country's government abroad and in the foreign ministry at home.

  Degree usually needed

• Writer

  Writers create written work such as novels, non-fiction books, scripts, poems, articles, advertising copy and website content.

  Degree optional

• Journalist

  Journalists find, check and report news and stories for newspapers, websites, television, radio, podcasts and social media.

  Degree often expected

Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 27-3091, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2643.6

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a translator: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/translator/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

Report a data or content issue