Salary data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Translator & Interpreter salary in Michigan
$45,310
Median annual
$21.78
Median hourly
$54,040
Mean annual
940
Employed
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in Michigan was $45,310 in May 2025, with an average of $54,040. About 940 people work in this occupation there.
That is 25% below the national median of $60,170. Compared with all occupations in Michigan (median $49,270), translators earn 8% less. Its location quotient of 0.64 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,990, while the top 10% earned more than $88,630. Many translators are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| 25th | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Median | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| 75th | $69,830 | $33.57 |
| 90th | $88,630 | $42.61 |
Metro areas in Michigan
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $61,610 | 30 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $51,030 | 100 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $35,990 | 580 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.