Translators on Upwork cost $15–$25/hr.

Learn about common cost factors to budget your hiring on the world's work marketplace.
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$15 $25

Median hourly rates (USD)*

How much does it cost to hire a translator?

Hiring a translator is essential for projects ranging from document translation to localization, but translation costs can vary depending on the type of translation, target language, and project requirements. Understanding these factors helps you plan your budget and select the right professional translation services for your needs.

Salary range for translators

The cost of hiring a translator depends on their salary, which varies based on location, specialization, and years of experience. Let’s explore these variations.

National average

In the United States, translators earn between $35,000 and $70,000 annually. Entry-level translators handle basic translation needs and often fall at the lower end, while experienced professionals or certified translators with niche expertise earn more.

Regional differences

Regional differences, influenced by the cost of living, play a significant role in salaries. Translators in metropolitan areas such as New York or Los Angeles often charge more, while those in lower-cost regions may offer more competitive rates. Additionally, hiring translators from countries with lower living costs can reduce translation prices, especially for common languages like Spanish and English.

Experience-based variations

  • Entry-level translators typically manage straightforward human translation for general content, such as marketing copy or social media posts. 
  • Mid-level professionals handle specialized translation, such as legal translation or technical content like technical manuals
  • Expert translators work on projects requiring specialized knowledge, such as legal documents, technical translation, or high-quality translations with proofreading.

Hourly pay for translators

Many businesses hire translators on an hourly basis for flexibility. Hourly rates vary based on expertise and project complexity.

Typical hourly rates

  • Entry-level: $15–$30 per hour for simple language services such as transcription or basic document translation.
  • Intermediate: $30–$75 per hour for projects involving localization, translation memory, or SEO optimization.
  • Expert: $75+ per hour for specialized translation in fields like healthcare, law, or IT.

Complex tasks like software localization or translating between niche language pairs, such as Chinese to Portuguese or Japanese to Italian, often incur higher rates.

Cost factors for hiring a translator

When hiring a translator, several various factors influence the cost of translation services. Understanding these helps ensure accurate budgeting for your translation project.

Experience

Seasoned translators bring valuable expertise to complex projects, such as legal translation or technical content. Their ability to deliver high-quality translations with minimal errors justifies higher fees.

Certifications and advanced degrees

Hiring a translator with certifications ensures professional standards. For instance, certified translators are crucial for legal documents or sworn translations to meet official requirements.

Location

The translator's location directly affects translation rates. Hiring a translator in a country with a lower cost of living can result in lower prices, particularly for common languages like Spanish and French. However, rare language combinations or translators in high-cost areas typically charge more.

Project scope and complexity

The number of words or number of pages in the source document impacts pricing. Additionally, projects involving technical or specialized knowledge—like technical manuals—will command higher translation fees.

Specialization

Projects requiring niche expertise, such as software localization or financial document translation, require translators familiar with industry-specific terminology. This results in higher rates but ensures accuracy and precision.

Typical translation rates by type of service

Service Type Translation Prices Per Word
Common languages (e.g., English, Spanish) $0.08–$0.15
Niche languages (e.g., Portuguese, Italian) $0.15–$0.25
Specialized translation (e.g., legal, technical) $0.25–$0.50

Rates also vary based on the translation agency or translation company providing the service. Ensure your translation process includes quality assurance and proofreading to guarantee accuracy.

Example roles in the translation industry

The translation industry encompasses a variety of specialized roles, each catering to specific translation needs. From translating legal documents to localizing software, these roles require different levels of expertise, subject matter knowledge, and familiarity with target languages. Here are some key examples of translation roles and their unique contributions.

Document translator

Document translators focus on translating formal documents such as legal contracts, certificates, and official reports. They ensure the accuracy of terminology and compliance with regulatory standards, often providing certified translations for legal documents. The complexity of the source document and the target language heavily influence their rates.

Localization specialist

Localization specialists adapt content like software interfaces, mobile apps, websites, and video games for specific cultural contexts. They go beyond direct translation to ensure that the content resonates with the target audience, taking cultural nuances, idioms, and regional preferences into account. This role often involves collaboration with designers and developers to maintain functionality and user experience.

Technical translator

Technical translators specialize in highly detailed and complex materials such as manuals, engineering documents, and product specifications. Their expertise lies in understanding technical jargon and accurately conveying it in the target language. Industries like manufacturing, IT, and aerospace frequently rely on technical translators.

Medical translator

Medical translators work on documents such as clinical trial reports, patient records, pharmaceutical instructions, and medical research papers. This role requires a strong understanding of medical terminology and regulatory compliance in both the source and target languages. Accuracy is critical, as errors can have significant consequences.

Marketing and advertising translator

Marketing translators adapt promotional materials such as advertisements, brochures, slogans, and website content to appeal to specific markets. They ensure that the message remains engaging and culturally appropriate, often focusing on tone and creativity. This role may also involve SEO optimization for localized websites.

Legal translator

Legal translators specialize in the translation of contracts, court documents, patents, and other legal materials. They must be familiar with the legal systems of both the source and target languages to ensure the translations meet jurisdictional requirements. Certified legal translations are often necessary for official purposes.

Audiovisual translator

Audiovisual translators work on media such as films, TV shows, video games, and e-learning content. They provide subtitles, dubbing scripts, or voiceover translations, ensuring the content aligns with cultural and linguistic norms. This role often requires close attention to timing and synchronization.

Transcription and translation specialist

This role involves transcribing spoken content from audio or video formats and translating it into the target language. Common projects include interviews, podcasts, legal depositions, and academic lectures. These specialists often have experience in both transcription tools and language services.

Sworn translator

Sworn translators, also known as certified or official translators, are authorized to provide legally recognized translations. Their work includes translating birth certificates, marriage licenses, and academic transcripts. Sworn translations are often required for immigration, education, or legal proceedings.

Conference interpreter

Though not strictly a translator, conference interpreters play a key role in live settings, providing real-time interpretation for meetings, conferences, and events. They ensure seamless communication between speakers of different languages. This role requires quick thinking, cultural awareness, and excellent language skills.

Software and game translator

This role focuses on adapting software applications, games, and user interfaces to new markets. Translators in this field work closely with developers to ensure accurate localization while maintaining usability. They may also handle in-game text, user guides, and marketing materials for global audiences.

Financial translator

Financial translators specialize in translating materials such as annual reports, financial statements, and market analyses. They must understand economic terminology and industry-specific language to ensure precise translations. Accuracy and confidentiality are particularly important in this role.

FAQs about translation costs

Hiring a translator can raise questions about costs, qualifications, and how to choose the right translation service providers. Here are the answers to the most common queries.

What is the average cost of translation services?

The cost of translation services depends on the type of document, word count, and language pair. Expect to pay between $0.08 and $0.50 per word, depending on complexity and specialization.

What qualifications are needed for translators?

Translators should have advanced language skills in the source language and target language. Many also hold certifications like ATA or specialize in areas such as legal translation or technical translation.

What industries hire translators?

Industries such as healthcare, law, marketing, and technology hire translators for tasks like transcription, technical content, and localization. These fields often demand expertise in human translation over machine translation tools like Google Translate.

How can I hire a translator?

You can hire translators through platforms like Upwork or specialized translation agencies. Define your project scope, including the type of translation, delivery time, and turnaround time, to find the right match.

Hire translators on Upwork

Upwork connects you with experienced translators for all your translation needs. Whether you require professional translation services for technical manuals or high-quality translations for websites, Upwork offers flexibility and a wide range of professionals. Start your translation project today and enjoy accurate results tailored to your requirements.

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