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CostHelper > Small Business  > Interpreter

Interpreter Cost


How Much Does an Interpreter Cost?

 
low costIn-Person Interpreter: $50-$145 Per Hour average costPhone Interpreter: $75-$180 Per Hourhigh costVideo Interpreter: $105-$420 Per Hour

While translators work with the written word, interpreters focus on the spoken word. Professional speech interpreters frequently work in the business, healthcare, social work or judiciary fields, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[1] . Available for contract work such as guiding international travelers, interpreters may also interpret at conferences, legal trials or corporate events. Phone and video interpreting services have increased in popularity with the advancing technology.

Typical costs:

  • Interpreting may take place in person, over the phone or via video phone.
  • In-person interpreters typically cost $50-$145 per hour. For example, American Language Services[2] offers interpreters starting at $100 per hour (or $125 for sign language) and a two-hour minimum is required.
  • Phone interpreters typically cost $1.25-$3 per minute. Language Translation, Inc.[3] offers a flat fee of $1.88 per minute for phone interpreting, for example.
  • Video interpreters typically range from $1.75 to $7 per minute. For instance, LifeLinks[4] offers video interpreting from $2.25 per minute for any language and $2.95 for sign language. A 15-minute minimum is common for phone or video interpreting.
Related articles: Event Planner, Video Conferencing

What should be included:
  • Interpreters may specialize in languages ranging from French to Mandarin, and agencies should offer a number of qualified interpreters representing the majority of world languages. Sign-language interpreters are specially trained to relay speech to the hearing impaired, typically in American Sign Language. In-person interpreters should be booked several days to weeks in advance, depending on the agency.
  • Interpreter qualifications vary by state. For instance, Colorado requires court interpreters to have some form of certification, but not for medical interpretation, according to the Colorado Association of Professional Interpreters. Conference Interpreters may be active members of the International Association of Conference Interpreters[5] , a trade group.
  • Phone or video interpreters working with large call centers are typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No advance reservations are needed for this service.
Additional costs:
  • Travel time is typically billed extra, as an hourly rate or a set fee. For instance, interpreters working with the Arkansas Courts[6] cost an additional 45 cents per mile or $40 per hour for travel outside of their county.
  • A two-hour minimum is common for in-person interpreters, so clients must pay extra if less than two hours of services are required.
  • It is common for sign language interpreters to switch off every 15 or 20 minutes, according to the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing[7] , because of the mental stamina required to interpret for long periods. Therefore, if an event is scheduled for longer than two hours, a second interpreter may be required.
  • Unless otherwise stated, international phone calls may incur additional charges on top of the phone interpreter's fees.
Shopping for an interpreter:
  • Search the online directory at the American Translator's Association[8] for a list of interpreting service companies and individuals.
  • The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing[9] offers a list of tips for working with a sign-language interpreter, both before and during an event. The AIIC[10] lists tips for choosing the right conference interpreter and the National Law Forum[11] explains what qualifications to look for in a legal interpreter.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
In person Spanish interpreter
Amount: $250.00
Posted by: Henriquez P in Dallas, TX.Posted: June 12th, 2023 08:06PM
Type of Interpretation: ConferenceLanguage: Spanish
We hosted a training for the company and hired profesional Interpreters. They worked in pairs to give simultaneous interpretation. It was great! Our training was a success and the interpreters within our budget.
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Spanish Medical Interpreter
Amount: $150.00
Posted by: Gregory Richardson in Monroe, NC.Posted: August 9th, 2022 11:08PM
Type of Interpretation: In PersonLanguage: Spanish
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly. They give discounts too! 10% discount for a great facebook review and 5% off next 2 assignments for a referral.
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Interpreter
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: Lamiae Zouire in Riverbank, CA.Posted: November 22nd, 2019 04:11PM
Type of Interpretation: Legal or medicalLanguage: Arabic
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Interpreter rates
Amount: $12,500.00
Posted by: Nielsen in Chicopee, MA.Posted: September 6th, 2016 07:09PM
Type of Interpretation: LegalLanguage: Spanish
Paid $125.00 per hour, 2 hour minimum for Spanish interpreter through Concordis Language Services. $125.00 seems to be the average rate around the East coast for professional interpreting services. It was worth it though.
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Medical Interpreter
Amount: $150.00
Posted by: Ly in Manhattan, NY.Posted: July 19th, 2016 07:07AM
Type of Interpretation: Medical InterpreterLanguage: Spanish
Medical interpreters charge $150 per hr or $100/hr for a minimum 2 hrs in New York City.
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Best Interpreter in Philadelphia Court
Amount: $60.00
Posted by: Law office in Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA.Posted: November 4th, 2015 08:11AM
Type of Interpretation: CourtLanguage: Arabic
We had a appointment with an Arabic speaker in my office. We contact another office who indicated Fathi Tounsi for us and we had the great pleasure to work with him. He is a great professional and was really important to have a professional interpreter to help us communicate with our client. We all were very happy. Highly recommended.
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Experienced Interpreter
Amount: $150.00
Posted by: Erisa in WORCESTER, MA.Posted: June 21st, 2015 07:06AM
Type of Interpretation: MedicalLanguage: Albanian
It was worth paying this money for an experienced interpreter for a complicated medical procedure for my father.
We hired Linda Berisha Albanian Medical interpreter.She was great it made a huge difference
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Interpreter
Amount: $50.00
Posted by: a user in Minneapolis, MN.Posted: March 10th, 2015 06:03PM
Type of Interpretation: MedicalLanguage: Spanish
I used Universal Language in MInneapolis for a patient who was a native Spanish speaker. it was late in the evening and was a last minute appointment. We called and got a prompt respond and the interpreter arrived within 30 minutes. They charged $50/hr for a minimum 2 hours. It was worth it. Very qualified interpreter. We even got a discount for future requests. We use them regularly and have been very happy. I would definitely recommend them.
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Interpreter
Amount: $200.00
Posted by: Edmond in Boston, MA.Posted: January 31st, 2015 12:01AM
Type of Interpretation: face to faceLanguage: Albanian
$200 was the best money ever spend in hiring Albanian court interpreter Mr Oliver Kici to interpret for a deposition my mother had on December of 2014
Having a professional interpreter made a huge difference on the way the deposition was handled
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Best interpreter rates in Long Beach
Amount: $90.00
Posted by: Dr. Mann in Long Beach, CA.Posted: June 20th, 2014 05:06PM
Type of Interpretation: MedicalLanguage: ASL
I had a Sign Language interpreter sent to us by Spot On Interpreting for only $85 per hour with no mileage charges. It was much cheaper than other places and worked out great and the whole process was new to me but was really easy. We even got a discount for writing a couple reviews on how it went. It was really easy to get one, I just called up and sent a few emails and we had our interpreter, who was very professional and made the assignment go much smoother. The patient was also very happy. Would definitely recommend them.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.bls.gov/ooh/Media-and-Communication/Interpreters-and-translators.htm
  2.  www.alsglobal.net
  3.  www.languagetranslation.com/telephone-interpreting/speakeasy-rates.html
  4.  www.lifelinks.net/vri_home.html
  5.  aiic.net/
  6.  /courts.arkansas.gov/administration/interpreters
  7.  www.ncdhh.ne.gov/faq_interpreter.html
  8.  www.atanet.org/onlinedirectories/
  9.  www.cchdwi.org/interpreter_tips_0001.pdf
  10.  aiic.net//ViewPage.cfm/article155.htm
  11.  nationallawforum.com/2010/11/05/law-firms-guarantee-your-roi-when-hiring-an-interp...
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