Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Translator & Interpreter salary in Illinois
$55,290
Median annual
$26.58
Median hourly
$58,650
Mean annual
1,510
Employed
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in Illinois was $55,290 in May 2025, with an average of $58,650. About 1,510 people work in this occupation there.
That is 8% below the national median of $60,170. Compared with all occupations in Illinois (median $51,960), translators earn 6% more. Its location quotient of 0.74 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,990, while the top 10% earned more than $82,370. Many translators are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 25th | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Median | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| 75th | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| 90th | $82,370 | $39.60 |
Metro areas in Illinois
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $59,660 | 1,070 |
| Peoria, IL | $54,690 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $50,390 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,270 | 30 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,140 | 60 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.