Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Translator & Interpreter salary in Iowa
$48,150
Median annual
$23.15
Median hourly
$49,350
Mean annual
560
Employed
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in Iowa was $48,150 in May 2025, with an average of $49,350. About 560 people work in this occupation there.
That is 20% below the national median of $60,170. Compared with all occupations in Iowa (median $48,540), translators earn 1% less.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,330, while the top 10% earned more than $67,290. Many translators are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,330 | $16.51 |
| 25th | $40,450 | $19.45 |
| Median | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| 75th | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| 90th | $67,290 | $32.35 |
Metro areas in Iowa
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $55,400 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $52,000 | 40 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,420 | 80 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $48,360 | 60 |
| Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $48,200 | 70 |
| Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $47,880 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $47,070 | 70 |
| Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $34,780 | 40 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.