Freelance Interpreter Rates

What drives the range

• Setting: legal and medical interpreting (often requiring certification) commands significantly more than casual community interpreting.
• Simultaneous vs. consecutive: simultaneous interpretation is more demanding and typically priced higher than consecutive interpretation.
• Certification: court-certified or medically-certified interpreters can charge well above the general market rate.
• Remote vs. in-person: in-person work often carries a premium over phone or video remote interpreting to account for travel time.

Starting out vs. established

New freelance interpreter typically land near the $20/hr end while building a portfolio and client base. Once you have proof of results and repeat clients, the $35/hr median becomes realistic. Specialists with a clear niche and strong track record routinely reach $100/hr or more, especially for short, high-stakes engagements.

Getting paid once you've set your rate

A rate only matters if it actually gets collected. Once you've picked a number, send a professional invoice that states your terms clearly, and consider a simple contract for anything beyond a quick one-off. If you want to see how your rate translates into real take-home pay after taxes and time off, try the freelance take-home pay calculator.

Other freelance rates