Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Translator & Interpreter salary in District of Columbia
$109,970
Median annual
$52.87
Median hourly
$102,960
Mean annual
280
Employed
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in District of Columbia was $109,970 in May 2025, with an average of $102,960. About 280 people work in this occupation there.
That is 83% above the national median of $60,170. Compared with all occupations in District of Columbia (median $91,540), translators earn 20% more.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $58,720, while the top 10% earned more than $128,610. Many translators are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,720 | $28.23 |
| 25th | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Median | $109,970 | $52.87 |
| 75th | $124,450 | $59.83 |
| 90th | $128,610 | $61.83 |
Metro areas in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,510 | 1,630 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.