Translator & Interpreter salary in South Carolina
The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in South Carolina was $50,860 in May 2025, with an average of $55,230. About 520 people work in this occupation there.
That is 15% below the national median of $60,170. Compared with all occupations in South Carolina (median $46,490), translators earn 9% more. Its location quotient of 0.68 means the job is less common here than nationally.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,860, while the top 10% earned more than $75,310. Many translators are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| 25th | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Median | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| 75th | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 90th | $75,310 | $36.21 |
Metro areas in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $64,550 | — |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,040 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $52,200 | 170 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $47,370 | 70 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $39,210 | 40 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.