How much does an interpreter and translator make in Chicago?
$59,660a year
Median yearly pay for interpreter and translators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $28.68 an hour or $4,972 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.68
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 80 of 161
- Jobs in the area
- 1,070
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,290Median: $59,660Highest 10%: $86,220
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,290 | $18.89 | |
| 25th | $45,800 | $22.02 | |
| Median | $59,660 | $28.68 | |
| 75th | $75,750 | $36.42 | |
| 90th | $86,220 | $41.45 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for interpreter and translators.
| St. Louis, MO | $57,480 |
| Rockford, IL | $48,140 |
| Davenport, IA | $47,070 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an interpreter and translator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $28.68 ($59,660 a year).
Do interpreter and translators make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $59,660 against $60,170 nationally, 1% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $55,290, so Chicago pays 8% more.
Where does Chicago rank for interpreter and translator pay?
80 of 161 metro areas with data.
How much does an interpreter and translator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $86,220 or more.
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.