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Linguist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mission Essential

Mixteco Bajo Linguist

Covina, CA · On-site

Mixteco Bajo Linguist Location: Covina, CA Language Requirement: 2+ ILR level *If you are not local we will provide a flight and rental car. Some meals and incidentals are also available. Position ...

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 ...

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 ...

Mission Essential

Mam Linguist

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Mam Linguist Location: San Antonio, TX Compensation: $110,000-$120,000 *If you are not local and wish to support, we will provide a flight and rental car. Some meals and incidentals are also ...

Mission Essential

Vietnamese Linguist

El Paso, TX · On-site

$70K - $75K/yr

Vietnamese Linguist Location: El Paso, TX Compensation: $70,000 - $75,000 *If you are not local and wish to support, we will provide a flight and rental car. Some meals and incidentals are also ...

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 ...

Leidos

Khmer Linguist

Vienna, VA · On-site

$92K - $166K/yr

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

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 ...

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How much do linguist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 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 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.

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.

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 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 depending 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.

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.

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 utilizing skills in data analysis, language technology tools, and linguistic theory.
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Linguist jobs near you
Infographic showing various 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 $58,415 per year, or $28.1 per hour.

Mixteco Bajo Linguist

Mission Essential

Covina, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Position: Mixteco Bajo Linguist

Location: Covina, CA

Language Requirement: 2+ ILR level

*If you are not local we will provide a flight and rental car. Some meals and incidentals are also available.


Position Description:

We are excited to announce new opportunities supporting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services I (HHS I) in providing critical language services to unaccompanied minors in refugee programs. We are seeking linguists who speak Kaqchikel at an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) Level 2 + or higher.


About ILR levels:

The Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale is the U.S. government standard for measuring language proficiency. It ranges from Level 0 (No Proficiency) to Level 5 (Native or Bilingual Proficiency).

• ILR Level 2+ (“Professional Working Proficiency”) indicates that a linguist can speak, understand, read, and write the language with sufficient accuracy and fluency to participate effectively in most conversations on practical, social, and some professional topics.


Position Overview:

Linguists will provide accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation and translation services at ILR Level 2+ proficiency or higher to support communication between Care Staff, unaccompanied children (UC), unaccompanied minors (UAM), and unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). Linguists serve as Communication Liaisons to ensure all parties can fully understand one another in a variety of settings.


Key Responsibilities:

• Provide in-person, onsite interpretation at Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) programs and service locations (preferred).

• Deliver remote interpretation services via telephone, videoconference, or other virtual means as needed, including availability for 24/7 requests.

• Facilitate communication of important deadlines, instructions, questions, and other information between Care Staff and UC/UAM/URM in their native or preferred language.

• Assist UC/UAM/URM in expressing concerns, questions, or needs when they are not fluent or comfortable communicating in English or the language spoken by Care Staff.

• Demonstrate a high-level of professional judgment, based on the candidate’s own experience and language proficiency, to mitigate language barriers and ensure effective communication between Care Staff and a UC, UAM or URM.

• Support the orientation of UC/UAM/URM to available community resources through interpretation and translation.

• Translate documents from English to the preferred language and vice versa, and occasionally from other source languages, as required.

• Help Care Staff build rapport and understand the cultural context of the populations served; while linguists are not substitutes for case managers or clinicians, they play a vital role in establishing a cultural bridge and alleviating stress for the children.


Requirements:

• ILR Level 2+ proficiency in both English (listening and speaking) and the target language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) whether obtained through either a specialized academic degree or a combination of experience/education.

• Successful completion of a Tier 2 background check; no security clearance required.

• Consistent exercise of discretion and judgment and advanced knowledge in the field of linguistics.

• The linguist is expected to apply advanced language skills, cultural expertise, and professional judgment to facilitate communication in sensitive and complex situations.

• The work requires autonomy, decision-making, and a high degree of responsibility in managing language services to meet the needs of ORR programs and the vulnerable populations served.


Desired Skills:

• Prior experience as a linguist in foster care, social services, or medical care environments.


Apply