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Federal Government Translator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Prisma International, Inc.

$45K - $59K/yr

Five+ years of professional translation services to state and/or federal government agencies may be ... accepted in lieu of the above. * Willingness to abide by Prisma's Master Service Agreement (MSA ...

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Federal Government Translator information

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$27.5K

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$87.5K

How much do federal government translator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for federal government translator in the United States is $57,200.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $57,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by federal government translators, and how can they be addressed?

Federal Government Translators often encounter challenges such as working with highly specialized or sensitive terminology, tight deadlines, and ensuring the highest level of accuracy in official documents. They may also face the need to quickly adapt to changing project priorities, or to handle classified material while maintaining strict confidentiality. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing professional development, effective time management, and clear communication with colleagues and supervisors. Many translators find that teamwork and leveraging technology help them meet these demands while upholding the quality and security standards required in federal government settings.

What is a federal government translator?

A Federal Government Translator is responsible for translating written or spoken content between languages for government agencies. They ensure accurate and precise translations of documents, reports, and communications while maintaining confidentiality and cultural sensitivity. These professionals may work in various fields, including legal, security, diplomacy, and public policy. Strong language proficiency, subject-matter expertise, and adherence to government standards are essential for this role.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a federal government translator?

To thrive as a Federal Government Translator, you need advanced proficiency in at least two languages, a strong grasp of subject matter relevant to government operations, and a degree or certification in translation or linguistics. Familiarity with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, secure communications systems, and sometimes a security clearance is often required. Attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal skills are essential for handling confidential information and working in diverse teams. These skills ensure translations are accurate, contextually appropriate, and meet strict government standards for confidentiality and communication.

More about Federal Government Translator jobs
What cities are hiring for Federal Government Translator jobs? Cities with the most Federal Government Translator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Government Translator jobs? The most popular types of Federal Government Translator jobs are:
What states have the most Federal Government Translator jobs? States with the most job openings for Federal Government Translator jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Federal Government Translator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Federal Government Translator jobs are:
Federal Government Translator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Federal Government Translator job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,200 per year, or $27.5 per hour.

Translator - US-Based Only

Prisma International, Inc.

Minneapolis, MN • On-site, Remote

$45K - $60K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

About Prisma International, Inc. - Prisma is a dynamic and growing language services provider committed to delivering exceptional translation solutions to clients worldwide. We pride ourselves on our dedication to linguistic excellence and client satisfaction. We are expanding our independent contractor team and seeking experienced US-based Translators to join us.
TRANSLATOR Job Posting - Prisma International
We are seeking experienced, professional Translators to join our independent contractor team. You will be providing written translation from English into your native (target) language. To be considered for hire, you must meet all minimum requirements listed in this job ad. NOTE: Qualified candidates must reside in the United States and provide a three-year history of experience completing written translations to state and/or federal government agencies. Other minimum requirements are stated below. Translation project assignments are assigned on an as-needed basis according to your availability.
TARGET LANGUAGES:
Albanian, Amharic, Bosnian, Chuukese, Danish, Finnish, German, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hmong, Italian, Japanese, Karen, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Norwegian, Oromo, Portuguese (BR & PT), Somali, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai, Tibetan, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
If your language specialty is not listed above, you are welcome to apply. You must meet all requirements to be considered.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - You must meet ALL of the following requirements:
  • You must reside in the United States.
  • You must be 18+ years of age.
  • Three (3) years of professional experience providing written translations to state and/or federal government agencies. The resume/CV you submit must clearly outline your government agency translation history. Candidates who submit resumes without a three-year timeline of fed/state government agency experience will be disqualified.
  • Certified by a translation industry organization such as: American Translators Association (ATA), Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR), etc. --OR-- a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in translation or other language-related discipline from an accredited college or university. If onboarded, you will be asked to submit proof of accreditation(s). Five+ years of professional translation services to state and/or federal government agencies may be accepted in lieu of the above.
  • Willingness to abide by Prisma's Master Service Agreement (MSA) and related Addenda.
  • Fluent in English and the target language.
  • Reliable desktop PC or laptop with dedicated, secure, high-speed internet connection.
  • Experience using modern CAT tools (e.g. XTM, Trados, etc.).
  • Adobe Acrobat on your device and the ability to use Adobe's markup tools on a PDF file.

TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Provide written translations using a Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tool. We provide XTM access to you.
  • Adhere to all project work instructions, glossaries and reference materials provided to you.
  • Ensure the source content's concept, style and register are culturally and linguistically appropriate for the target language.
  • Perform language quality check steps (before delivery) to ensure the target translation is error-free and true to the meaning of the source document.
  • Deliver completed translation jobs by the given deadlines and project budgets.
  • Review formatted target language PDF files for accuracy; mark any corrections needed. Using Adobe mark-up tools is required.
  • Communicate in a timely and professional manner with Prisma team members.
  • Willfully participate in quality management processes, e.g. Corrective Action Reports (CARs), Root Cause Analyses (RCAs), solution implementation.
  • Take all measures necessary to protect and keep private sensitive information shared with you to carry out translation projects (e.g. PHI, PII, SBU).
  • Adhere to policies and processes defined in Prisma's Master Service Agreement (MSA) and the Prisma Vendor Guide.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES
  • Excellent communication skills and quick responses to Prisma project team requests.
  • Ability to accommodate fast turnarounds for small word count projects.
  • After hours and weekend ability is a plus (at your discretion).

IMPORTANT APPLICANT SECURITY NOTICE:
Prisma will never ask for payment information or fee transfers during recruitment or employment preparation. Legitimate outreach for information will only originate from official @prisma.com email addresses.
Requirements
See full list of minimum requirements above.

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