How much does an interpreter and translator make in California?
$70,770a year
Median yearly pay for interpreter and translators in California. That is $34.02 an hour or $5,898 a month.
- Hourly
- $34.02
- Vs. national median
- +18%
- Rank among states
- 7 of 47
- Jobs in the state
- 5,560
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,530Median: $70,770Highest 10%: $119,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,530 | $23.81 | |
| 25th | $56,230 | $27.03 | |
| Median | $70,770 | $34.02 | |
| 75th | $102,000 | $49.04 | |
| 90th | $119,800 | $57.60 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $101,500 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $84,960 |
| San Francisco, CA | $83,680 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $82,440 |
| Oxnard, CA | $75,920 |
| Riverside, CA | $74,310 |
| San Diego, CA | $73,690 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $69,460 |
| Fresno, CA | $68,050 |
| Visalia, CA | $66,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,360 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $63,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,720 |
| Modesto, CA | $60,530 |
| Merced, CA | $52,710 |
| Stockton, CA | $50,480 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for interpreter and translators.
| 4. Rhode Island | $82,320 |
| 5. Massachusetts | $72,750 |
| 6. Colorado | $71,790 |
| 7. California | $70,770 |
| 8. Connecticut | $68,340 |
| 9. Minnesota | $66,410 |
| 10. Oregon | $66,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an interpreter and translator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $34.02 ($70,770 a year).
Do interpreter and translators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $70,770 against $60,170 nationally, 18% more.
Where does California rank for interpreter and translator pay?
California ranks 7 of 47 states.
Which city in California pays interpreter and translators the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $101,500 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.