Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace interpreters and translators?AI replacement risk 57% and how the work is changing

United States Writing & Media Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$60,170
25th–75th pct. $46,530–$80,830
Top pay (est.)
$134,800
Top 10% $103,660
Pay in 5 years
$68,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$78,500est.
$67,500–$91,100
Outlook score
52/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
57%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.0%
6,000 openings / yr

Will AI replace Interpreters and Translators? AI replacement risk

57%
Moderate
Ranked #610 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Interpreters and Translators

Key skills

Active Listening
4.2
Writing
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Critical Thinking
3.9
Monitoring
3.8
Social Perceptiveness
3.6
Service Orientation
3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

English Language
5.1
Foreign Language
4.9
Customer and Personal Service
4.7
Administrative
4.2
Education and Training
3.9
Computers and Electronics
3.3
Psychology
3.0
Law and Government
2.8

What the work involves

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsGetting Information

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree
55%
Master's degree
28%
High school diploma
8%
Associate's degree
4%
Post-master's certificate
4%
Post-secondary certificate
1%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
58%
2–4 years
14%
3–6 months
11%
1–2 years
10%
6–12 months
5%
1–3 months
3%

Related work experience

2–4 years
27%
1–2 years
19%
6–12 months
10%
1–3 months
10%
6–8 years
8%
3–6 months
8%
None
7%
4–6 years
5%
Over 10 years
4%
8–10 years
1%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.