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Junior Linguist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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How much do junior linguist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior linguist in the United States is $52,462.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $57,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a junior linguist do?

A Junior Linguist typically assists with language-related projects such as translating, transcribing, annotating linguistic data, or conducting basic linguistic analysis. They often support senior linguists in tasks like data collection, research, and documentation. Junior Linguists may work in fields like technology, education, or research, helping to improve language models, develop educational resources, or analyze language patterns. This entry-level role is ideal for those looking to gain experience and build expertise in linguistics.

What are some typical projects a junior linguist might work on during their first year?

As a Junior Linguist, you'll often be involved in tasks like annotating linguistic data, creating or refining language resources, and supporting the development of language technologies such as speech recognition or machine translation systems. Projects may include analyzing text or audio data, labeling parts of speech, or evaluating the accuracy of language models. You'll frequently collaborate with senior linguists, engineers, and project managers, allowing you to learn from experienced colleagues and develop your technical and analytical skills in a supportive team environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior linguist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Junior Linguist, you need a strong grasp of linguistic theory, language analysis, and at least one foreign language, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with linguistic analysis software, databases, and tools like ELAN or Praat is typically required. Attention to detail, strong analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help junior linguists excel in collaborative and research-driven environments. These skills and qualities are vital for accurately analyzing language data and contributing to language documentation or computational linguistics projects.

What is the difference between Junior Linguist vs Language Analyst?

AspectJunior LinguistLanguage Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in linguistics, language studies, or related fieldBachelor's degree, often with additional certification in language analysis or related areas
Work EnvironmentEducational, research, or corporate settings involving language tasksGovernment, intelligence, or security agencies analyzing language data
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, private companiesDefense, intelligence, and government agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level language rolesSpecialized language analysis positions in security sectors

The main difference is that a Junior Linguist typically focuses on language research, translation, or linguistic tasks in various industries, while a Language Analyst often works in security or intelligence sectors analyzing language data for security purposes. Both roles require language proficiency and relevant education, but their work environments and responsibilities differ significantly.

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What cities are hiring for Junior Linguist jobs?

Cities with the most Junior Linguist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Linguist jobs?

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What states have the most Junior Linguist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Junior Linguist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Junior Linguist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,462 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Chinese-Mandarin Operational Language Analysts (OLA III)

Global Dimensions, LLC

Colorado Springs, CO

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Global Dimensions is a HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. We are a growing organization supporting critical national security missions through expertise in language and culture, training and education, information technology, cybersecurity, and intelligence operations.

We are currently seeking Chinese-Mandarin Operational Language Analysts (OLA III) to support mission-critical intelligence operations in Aurora, Colorado. This senior-level position is ideal for highly experienced cryptologic linguists with advanced Mandarin language proficiency and a proven record of language exploitation, intelligence production, quality assurance, and mentorship.

Essential Job Functions:

The Chinese-Mandarin Operational Language Analyst (OLA III) performs advanced cryptologic language processing and intelligence exploitation in support of national security missions. This position requires extensive experience translating, transcribing, and analyzing foreign language materials while ensuring the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of intelligence products. The OLA III also serves as a technical mentor and quality control reviewer for junior linguists.

The Chinese-Mandarin Operational Language Analyst (OLA III) will:

Perform advanced cryptologic language processing of Mandarin Chinese audio and graphic materials.

Translate, transcribe, and gist foreign language communications in support of intelligence operations.

Identify and exploit Essential Elements of Information (EEIs) and other intelligence of operational value.

Produce accurate, timely, and mission-focused intelligence products in accordance with Government standards.

Draft, review, and edit intelligence reports derived from foreign language source material.

Perform quality control (QC) reviews of translated and transcribed products to ensure linguistic accuracy and compliance with Government quality standards.

Mentor and train junior Operational Language Analysts in language exploitation techniques, intelligence reporting, and mission procedures.

Support target development, network analysis, speaker identification, and language identification activities.

Develop and maintain working aids, glossaries, databases, and reference materials to enhance mission effectiveness.

Conduct linguistic and cultural research to improve translation quality and operational support.

Collaborate with intelligence analysts and mission partners to support intelligence production and operational planning.

Maintain compliance with security protocols, classification guidance, and quality assurance requirements.

Perform additional operational language and intelligence support duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

Due to the sensitivity of customer related requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance with a Counterintelligence (CI) or Full Scope (FS) Polygraph.

Minimum Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 3 proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (Audio or Graphic).

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 10 years of qualifying full-time experience; or 14 years of qualifying full-time experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree.

Candidates must possess a minimum of 10 years of experience in cryptologic language processing, related language disciplines, and/or cryptologic intelligence operations.

Related language experience may include:

  • Oral interpretation and translation
  • Non-cryptologic audio or graphic translation
  • Document exploitation (DOMEX)
  • Formal language instruction or teaching

Cryptologic experience may include:

  • Target development
  • Network analysis
  • Intelligence report drafting
  • Speaker identification
  • Language identification

Additionally, candidates must demonstrate:

At least 6 of the required 10 years performing advanced cryptologic language processing equivalent to OLA II duties, including:

  • Translation
  • Transcription
  • Gisting
  • Intelligence report drafting
  • Quality control (QC)
  • Mentoring junior linguists

At least 6 of the required 10 years of qualifying experience performed in Mandarin Chinese.

At least 4 of the required 6 years performing hands-on cryptologic language processing.

At least 3 of the required 6 years with translation, transcription, and gisting as primary duties.

Minimum 1 year of experience performing quality control (QC) reviews at ILR Level 3 in Mandarin Chinese.

No more than 3 of the required 10 years may have consisted primarily of intelligence report drafting as the primary duty.

At least 1 year of qualifying Mandarin Chinese experience must have been obtained within the 6 years immediately preceding resume submission.

Advanced proficiency in Mandarin Chinese language exploitation and cryptologic language processing.

Exceptional analytical, research, and critical-thinking skills.

Extensive experience producing high-quality translations, transcriptions, gists, and intelligence reports.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

The ability to independently manage complex analytical tasks with minimal supervision.

Proven leadership and mentoring abilities with experience conducting quality assurance reviews.

A commitment to delivering accurate, timely, and mission-focused intelligence products in support of national security.

Desired Skills:

Experience supporting the National Security Agency (NSA), Department of Defense (DoD), or Intelligence Community (IC).

Experience leading language teams, mentoring junior linguists, and conducting quality assurance reviews.

Experience supporting target development, network analysis, and operational intelligence missions.

Strong understanding of cryptologic language processing methodologies and Intelligence Community reporting standards.

Experience working in high-tempo, mission-driven classified environments.