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Linguist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Ascendancy Group

Linguist

Tampa, FL · On-site

Overview The Linguist position is a full-time position enhancing operational reach, situational awareness, and partner-nation collaboration by enabling accurate and contextually appropriate ...

Leidos

Khmer Linguist

Vienna, VA · On-site

$92K - $166K/yr

Description Khmer Linguist Leidos is seeking highly qualified and experienced Khmer Linguist to support our National Security Programs. This role requires advanced linguistic capabilities and ...

New

Leidos

Russian Linguist

Reston, VA · On-site

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 ...

System Soft Technologies

Spanish Linguist

Key West, FL · 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 ...

Leidos

Russian Linguist

Reston, VA

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 ...

Rime Labs

Forward Deployed Linguist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

Linguistics is at the core of everything we build. As we scale enterprise sales, we're hiring our first Forward Deployed Linguist to sit at the intersection of linguistics expertise, customer success ...

Leidos

Chechen Linguist

Reston, VA · On-site

We are seeking a talented linguist who can tackle a full range of activities and thrive in situations requiring a professional level of expertise. Our ideal candidate is an expert at identifying and ...

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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 Jul 4, 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.

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 Are Linguists?

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.

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 is a linguist?

A linguist is a professional who studies language and its structure, including the sounds, words, and grammar used in communication. Linguists may analyze how languages evolve, how they are learned, and how they function in society. They can work in a variety of fields such as academia, technology, translation, language documentation, and forensic analysis. Their expertise helps in understanding communication, preserving endangered languages, and improving language-related technologies.
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Linguist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Linguist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,415 per year, or $28.1 per hour.
Linguist

Linguist

The Ascendancy Group

Tampa, FL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Linguist
The Ascendancy Group's Mission
To be the unequaled provider of special operations forces (SOF) and Intelligence Community focused technical, service, and training-based solutions.
Overview The Linguist position is a full-time position enhancing operational reach, situational awareness, and partner-nation collaboration by enabling accurate and contextually appropriate communication across all phases of planning and execution as part of Operations in the Information Environment (OIE).
This position is contingent upon contract award.
Security Requirement: TS/SCI or TS w/SCI Eligibility
Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Provides expert language support and culturally attuned interpretation and translation services, operational literacy, cultural nuance, and the ability to function as a trusted bridge between U.S. forces and local, partner, or adversary populations.
  • Translates and interpret foreign language materials, including digital media, broadcasts, social media content, and documents relevant to operations in the information environment.
  • Provides cultural context analysis to ensure accurate understanding of language tone, idioms, and symbolism used in target regions or among specific audiences.
  • Supports Information Forces and Info activities such as MISO, PSYOP, and Public Affairs by translating audience-facing products and advising on cultural resonance.
  • Conducts open-source collection and language-enabled research in support of audience analysis, sentiment assessments, and adversary influence campaigns.
  • Supports document and media exploitation (DOMEX), extracting mission-relevant insights from recovered or publicly available foreign-language materials.
  • Collaborates with analysts, planners, and operators to identify linguistic or cultural gaps in plans, products, and messaging strategies.
  • Assists in monitoring foreign media ecosystems, identifying themes, narratives, and disinformation relevant to U.S. operations or interests.
  • Contributes to adversary behavior assessments by analyzing foreign-language statements, publications, and regional discourse in the Information Environment.

Required Qualifications:
  • Native or near-native fluency in both English and at least one of the target languages: Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, French, Portuguese, Russian, German, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog
  • Must possess a Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT) score of 4/4 (reading and listening), or equivalent as determined by government standards
  • Experience supporting DoD, IC, or interagency missions in translation, interpretation, or language-enabled analysis in at least one of the target languages
  • Demonstrated experience supporting operations in the information environment, irregular warfare, or influence-focused operations
  • Familiarity with MISO, PSYOP, civil affairs, or public diplomacy missions, and how language shapes audience engagement
  • Working knowledge of regional media ecosystems, disinformation trends, and foreign adversary messaging practices
  • Linguists may be required to complete an annual evaluation and retesting process to determine eligibility for possible extension of services required

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Degree in Linguistics, Area Studies, International Relations, or Cultural Anthropology
  • Experience supporting the relevant Combatant Command or other Theater Special Operations Commands
  • Experience working with audience analysis teams, narrative analysis, or strategic communication planners
  • Experience with DOMEX or foreign media exploitation tools and tradecraft
  • Familiarity with OSINT platforms and social media exploitation tools
  • CI polygraph

The Ascendancy Group (TAG) was founded on and thrives based on relationships, reputation, and trust. We are passionate about everything we do. One hundred percent of our government-focused teammates are former members of the Department of Defense or the Intelligence Community who still believe in supporting our nation. We offer like-minded individuals the opportunity to continue working in small teams on unique and challenging problem sets that further our nation's security. To expedite your application, provide the following information when you apply:
  • Do you have an active TS/SCI Clearance? If not, are you eligible for one?
  • Total number of years professional experience
  • List the highest degree earned and the field of study
  • List the second highest degree earned and the field of study
  • Provide your experience as it relates to this role. Please be specific.

If you possess the experience, qualifications and drive required for this position, please APPLY NOW for consideration!

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