For Educators: Military Resources
Military Interpreters and Translators
Median Salary
88,487
Workforce Count
4,200
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Interpreters and translators are responsible for training military personnel in foreign language familiarization and foreign cultural awareness. They perform written translations and they identify, translate, and summarize communications. They utilize foreign language skills, including knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, to collect and analyze intelligence information.
What is the work environment like?
Interpreters and translators normally work on military bases, aboard ships, or in airplanes.
How many people have this role in the Military?
4,200
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$130,131
2 Years
$85,258
6 Years
$130,131
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
What Service Branches offer this role?
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Enlisted service members execute vital tasks, support operations alongside officers and develop role-specific skills to achieve mission success.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Interpreters and translators in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Training length varies depending on specialty; longer training is necessary for specialties that do not require foreign language fluency prior to entry. Job-specific training may include:
- Interrogation methods
- Use and care of communications equipment
- Procedures for preparing reports
- Cultural awareness
Education
What level of education do professionals in this role have?
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Foreign Languages and Literatures, General
- German Language and Literature
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Spanish Language and Literature
- French Language and Literature
- Ancient/Classical Greek Language and Literature
- Latin Language and Literature
- Sign Language Interpretation and Translation
- Linguistics
- Japanese Language and Literature
- American Indian/Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Russian Language and Literature
- Italian Language and Literature
- Applied Linguistics
- Iranian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Arabic Language and Literature
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Language Interpretation and Translation
- Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Deaf Studies
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
- Chinese Language and Literature
- Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Scandinavian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Dutch/Flemish Language and Literature
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Celtic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Korean Language and Literature
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Portuguese Language and Literature
- Hebrew Language and Literature
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Vietnamese Language and Literature
- History and Language/Literature
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Linguistics of ASL and Other Sign Languages
- Hawaiian Language and Literature
- Filipino/Tagalog Language and Literature
- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Polish Language and Literature
- Sanskrit and Classical Indian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- American Sign Language, Other
- African Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian Languages and Literatures
- Swedish Language and Literature
- Modern Greek Language and Literature
- Hindi Language and Literature
- Indonesian/Malay Languages and Literatures
- Thai Language and Literature
- Turkish Language and Literature
- Norwegian Language and Literature
- Economics and Foreign Language/Literature
- Danish Language and Literature
- Uralic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- South Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interest
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- English Language
- Foreign Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Education and Training
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Conventional
You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.
Artistic
You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.
Social
You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC Test