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Government Interpreter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

UG Solutions

Interpreter

$22.50 - $29.75/hr

We provide mission-critical security solutions for government agencies, multinational organizations ... We are seeking a skilled and mission-focused Interpreter to support defense operations and ...

Federal Public Defender's Office

Interpreter

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$62K - $128K/yr

To qualify for the interpreter position, a person must be a high school graduate or equivalent, be ... The position does include regular Government employment benefits including health and life ...

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Government Interpreter information

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$64K

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How much do government interpreter jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for government interpreter in the United States is $64,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,000.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying interpreter job?

The highest paying interpreter jobs are often in specialized fields such as medical, legal, or conference interpreting, with court or legal interpreters and medical interpreters typically earning the highest salaries. Certified interpreters with advanced skills and experience, especially those working in high-demand languages or in remote or freelance settings, tend to earn higher wages. Salaries can vary based on location, certification, and the complexity of the interpretation required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Government Interpreter position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Government Interpreter, you need advanced proficiency in at least two languages, in-depth cultural knowledge, and often a relevant degree or certification in interpreting or translation. Familiarity with specialized interpreting equipment, translation software, and security clearance processes is commonly required. Exceptional soft skills such as discretion, professionalism, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are vital for effectively navigating sensitive governmental environments. Mastering these skills ensures accurate, confidential communication between parties and supports critical government operations.

How do you become an interpreter for the U.S. government?

To become a government interpreter, candidates typically need fluency in at least two languages, a bachelor's degree or relevant language certification, and passing a series of language proficiency and security clearance tests. Many roles also require knowledge of legal or governmental terminology and experience with interpretation tools or systems.

What are the typical work settings and collaborative dynamics for a Government Interpreter?

Government Interpreters often work in a variety of settings, including courtrooms, diplomatic events, immigration offices, or international conferences, depending on their agency assignment. Collaboration is key, as they frequently work alongside diplomats, legal professionals, law enforcement officials, or agency staff to facilitate clear and accurate communication between parties. Interpreters may work independently during some assignments, while other tasks require close teamwork to ensure messages are conveyed accurately and confidentially. The work can be fast-paced and occasionally involves travel or a rotating schedule. This dynamic environment offers valuable opportunities to expand your expertise and potentially move into supervisory, training, or specialized interpreting roles as you gain experience.

What is a Government Interpreter job?

A Government Interpreter facilitates communication between individuals who speak different languages in official government settings. They work for federal, state, or local agencies, assisting in legal proceedings, diplomatic meetings, law enforcement interviews, and public services. Their role requires fluency in multiple languages, cultural awareness, and strict confidentiality. Interpreters may work in-person, over the phone, or via video, depending on the assignment.

How much do government translators get paid?

Government interpreters and translators typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, language proficiency, and location. Salaries can vary based on government agency, security clearance, and whether the role is full-time or contract-based, with some positions offering additional benefits or overtime pay.

How much do FBI translators make?

FBI translators, who are federal government interpreters specializing in translating and interpreting foreign languages for investigations and intelligence, typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, language rarity, and security clearance level. Salaries can vary based on location, seniority, and additional certifications or skills.
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What cities are hiring for Government Interpreter jobs? Cities with the most Government Interpreter job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Government Interpreter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Government Interpreter jobs are:
Government Interpreter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Interpreter job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,020 per year, or $30.8 per hour.
Interpreter (OPI) - Government Services

Interpreter (OPI) - Government Services

Prisma International, Inc.

Corona, NY • Remote

Contractor

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Prisma International, Inc. (Prisma) - Prisma is a dynamic and growing language services provider committed to delivering exceptional Interpretation solutions to clients worldwide. We pride ourselves on our dedication to linguistic excellence and client satisfaction.

Prisma is actively seeking experienced, professional Interpreters to join our team as Independent Contractors. In this role you will provide remote Over the Phone Interpreting (OPI) services to our local, state and federal government clients. Please complete the Questionnaire portion of this application to indicate your language specialty.

The following languages are in demand:

Amharic, Armenian, Balinese, Bosnian, Cebuano, Cham, Croatian, Czech, Filipino, Finnish, Fujian, Georgian, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Kyrgyz, Malagasy, Mongolian, Mixteco Alto, Nahuatl, Norwegian (Bokmal), Oromo, Persian (Farsi), Polish, Pohnpeian, Punjabi, Romanian, Samoan, Serbian, Slovak, Somali, Soninke, Swedish, Taiwanese, Tajik, Tamil, Thai, Tongan, Turkish, Uyghur, Uzbek, Wolof, Yiddish, and Yoruba.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Ideal candidates shall be able to provide:

  • Experience with consecutive or simultaneous over the phone (OPI) interpretation between a government representative and non-English speakers.
  • Polite forms of expression, enunciation, and a high-level of customer service.
  • Deliver correct concepts and meanings between speaker and the Limited English Proficient (LEP) speaker.
  • Correct grammar, clarity and tones between the two languages.
  • Experience with following the speakers’ direction, professionally interject when clarification is needed, and manage the flow of a conversation.
  • Refrain from side conversations with the LEP and entering into any disagreement with the customer or LEP.
  • Compliance with applicable ethics and standards.
  • Experience interpreting for local, state and/or federal government offices.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - Applicants must meet ALL of the following to be considered:

  • Experience: At least one (1) year of OPI consecutive or simultaneous interpreting experience
  • References: Two (2) professional references who can vouch for your work as an over the phone consecutive or simultaneous interpreter
  • Resume: The resume/CV you submit must outline your professional interpretation experience. Resumes without this information will result in disqualification.
  • Minimum Age: 18+ years
  • Minimum Education: High School Diploma
  • Location: Reside in the United States or a U.S. territory
  • Fluency: Fluent in English and the target language
  • Accreditations: Able to provide at least one of the following accreditations:
    • American Translation Association (ATA)
    • Trained or accredited through a higher education institution

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants may be subject to a federal background check.

DESIRED SKILLS:

  • Experience providing interpretation services to federal government offices such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and their agencies, e.g. USCIS, CBP, FEMA, etc.

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.