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Translator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Translator, or Document Translator, is responsible for using their knowledge of two or more languages and cultural meanings to translate texts from one language to another. Their duties include consulting with industry experts to determine meanings, completing translations within set deadlines and using word processing software with special features to aid their progress.

Translator Duties and Responsibilities

Translator responsibilities are as communicators for business, education, healthcare, financial, government and other businesses. Translator’s responsibilities include

  • Reading the original document and translating it
  • Editing translated versions
  • Being sensitive to the culture of the original languages and the target languages during the translation process

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What Does A Translator Do?

Translators typically work for corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations or courthouses to translate documents on behalf of their employer. They work closely with other Translators, Editors and business professionals to accurately convert documents from one language to another. Their job is to review documents and translate them word-for-word. They may also be responsible for revising already-translated documents to reflect current policies or other information changes.

Translator Skills and Qualifications

Successful Translators will have skills and qualifications for their responsibilities. Translator skills are

  • Using dictionaries and thesauruses to find the exact words
  • Using Translation Memory software
  • Management of time to complete documents
  • Understanding different cultures in translation
  • Working with people from different cultural backgrounds and industries

Translator Salary Expectations

The average salary for a Translator in the United States is $20.10 per hour. This is the average, but the compensation your company offeres may vary depending on the bonus packages offered, what industry you work in and the geographical region where you live. The salary estimates are based on salaries that are submitted anonymously to Indeed by translator employees, users, as well as being collected from relevant job advertisements on Indeed.

Translator Salary Expectations

2025-10-017.2526.3963.65HOURLY
  • Common salary: 26.39 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 7.25 - 63.65 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Translator Education and Training Requirements

The work of a Translator usually requires a bachelor’s degree. Translators who go into specialized fields such as technology, finance or education should be familiar with the career requirements and knowledge of the specific fields. For example, a translator who works for a financial firm should be fluent in foreign language financial vocabulary as well as the general languages.

Translator Experience Requirements

Living abroad in a country where people speak your translating language is useful for real-life experience in translating and interpreting of your chosen languages. Being involved in local community language groups where you live is also useful to your role as a Translator. Teaching classes or acting as a language tutor are ways you can gain experience. Many businesses look for Translators who have had real-life experience as Translators.

Job Description Samples for Similar Positions

Interpreter

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Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Frequently asked questions about Translators

Job Description Examples

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