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Linguist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Russian Linguist Make a Global Impact - Join the Mission at Leidos Are you ready to apply your linguistic expertise to meaningful work that directly supports national security? At Leidos , we bring ...

Russian Linguist Make a Global Impact - Join the Mission at Leidos Are you ready to apply your linguistic expertise to meaningful work that directly supports national security? At Leidos , we bring ...

Reporting to the Manager, Linguistics, the Linguist I assists the Education Department in Serrano language revitalization and promotes and executes the educational goals and priorities set by the ...

Spanish Linguist

Key West, FL ยท On-site

$88K - $115K/yr

Spanish Linguist (Active Secret Clearance) Location: Key West, FL (100% Onsite) Employment Type: Full-time / Permanent Salary Range: $88,000 - $115,000 / Year A premier defense and government ...

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Linguist information

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$45K

$58.4K

$97.5K

How much do linguist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for linguist in the United States is $58,415.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,500.00 and $58,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Linguist vs Translator?

AspectLinguistTranslator
CredentialsLanguage degrees, certifications in linguistics or language analysisLanguage proficiency, translation certifications (e.g., ATA)
Work EnvironmentResearch, analysis, consulting, academiaDocument translation, localization, interpretation
Industry UsageAcademia, government, research, language technologyPublishing, legal, medical, business sectors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding language structure, linguistic analysisConverting written text from one language to another

While both roles involve working with languages, a linguist focuses on analyzing language structure, research, and theory, often in academic or research settings. A translator specializes in converting written content between languages, emphasizing accuracy and context. Both roles require strong language skills, but their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

Do linguists make good money?

Linguists' salaries vary based on experience, education, and work setting, but they generally earn a median annual wage around $60,000. Specialized skills such as translation, interpretation, or computational linguistics can lead to higher earnings, especially in government, technology, or research roles.

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

To thrive as a Linguist, you need a deep understanding of language structure, phonetics, syntax, and semantics, typically supported by a degree in linguistics or a related field. Familiarity with linguistic analysis software, corpus tools, and sometimes programming languages like Python are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set outstanding linguists apart. These skills are crucial for accurately analyzing language data, conducting research, and applying linguistic insights to real-world problems.

What is a linguist?

A linguist studies and analyzes how a language works. Areas of focus may include the sounds within a language (phonetics), the construction of phrases (syntax), and the meanings of words (semantics). Linguists may research the origins of a language and how it evolved, examine the differences among dialects in a country, and document a little-known or endangered language. Because linguists decipher the function of language in human interactions, they do not need to speak the languages they study, though many linguists are multilingual. Daily tasks may include discovering phonetic patterns, finding similar words and expressions between languages, and performing verbal and non-verbal experiments with speakers of the same language.

Is there a demand for linguists?

Linguists are in demand across various sectors such as government, technology, healthcare, and international business, especially those with skills in translation, interpretation, and computational linguistics. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as organizations seek multilingual communication, language technology development, and cross-cultural expertise. Advanced degrees and proficiency in multiple languages can enhance job prospects in this field.

How do linguists typically collaborate with professionals from other disciplines in their daily work?

Linguists often work closely with professionals from fields such as computer science, education, anthropology, and psychology, especially when projects involve language technology, curriculum development, or sociolinguistic research. Collaboration may include joint research, data analysis, or designing language-related tools and applications. Effective communication and an openness to interdisciplinary perspectives are key, as these collaborations can enhance the impact and innovation of a linguist's work. Team meetings, cross-functional workshops, and shared project management platforms are common ways these collaborations are facilitated.

What kind of jobs do linguists do?

Linguists analyze language structure, meaning, and usage, working in fields such as translation, interpretation, language research, and computational linguistics. They may work in academia, government, technology companies, or healthcare, often using tools like speech recognition software and requiring strong analytical and communication skills.

What cities are hiring for Linguist jobs?

Cities with the most Linguist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Linguist jobs?

The most popular types of Linguist jobs are:

What states have the most Linguist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Linguist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Linguist jobs?

For Linguist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Linguist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,415 per year, or $28.1 per hour.

$88K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Spanish Linguist (Active Secret Clearance)
Location: Key West, FL (100% Onsite) Employment Type: Full-time / Permanent Salary Range: $88,000 - $115,000 / Year
Job Description
A premier defense and government intelligence partner is seeking a highly specialized Spanish Linguist for an elite onsite mission in Key West, FL. This critical role directly supports real-world intelligence operations alongside major military units and defense agencies. The selected candidate will operate within sensitive multi-intelligence disciplines, providing high-stakes linguistic asset support to national security missions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Mission Support: Provide direct linguistic support to real-world operations, focusing on Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) workflows.
  • Interpretation: Perform both consecutive and real-time simultaneous interpretations, including utilizing professional booth equipment in high-pressure operational environments.
  • Translation & Transcription: Deliver precise, highly accurate translations and transcriptions of complex, sensitive, and classified defense-related materials.
  • Document Analysis: Review, evaluate, and translate localized legal, military, political, technical, scientific, and official government correspondence.
Minimum Requirements
  • Security Clearance: Must possess an active Secret security clearance (Mandatory).
  • Language Proficiency: Advanced high-level fluency with strong Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) equivalents (typically targeting Spanish ILR 4+/4+ and English ILR 3+/3+ metrics).
  • Experience: Proven background in defense, federal government, tactical intelligence, or specialized military language operations.
  • Location: Ability to work full-time onsite at the assigned facility in Key West, FL.