How much does an interpreter and translator make in Des Moines?
$55,400a year
Median yearly pay for interpreter and translators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $26.63 an hour or $4,617 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.63
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 92 of 161
- Jobs in the area
- 120
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,850Median: $55,400Highest 10%: $75,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,850 | $17.72 | |
| 25th | $47,830 | $23.00 | |
| Median | $55,400 | $26.63 | |
| 75th | $63,590 | $30.57 | |
| 90th | $75,260 | $36.18 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for interpreter and translators.
| Omaha, NE | $53,960 |
| Sioux City, IA | $49,420 |
| Waterloo, IA | $48,360 |
| Davenport, IA | $47,070 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Art Director | $90,000 |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $82,040 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $77,570 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,660 |
| Technical Writer | $69,450 |
| Editor | $63,720 |
| Writer and Author | $63,010 |
| Producer and Director | $62,370 |
| Music Director and Composer | $61,740 |
| Interior Designer | $57,840 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an interpreter and translator make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $26.63 ($55,400 a year).
Do interpreter and translators make more in Des Moines than the national average?
No: $55,400 against $60,170 nationally, 8% less.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $48,150, so Des Moines pays 15% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for interpreter and translator pay?
92 of 161 metro areas with data.
How much does an interpreter and translator make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $75,260 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.