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Medical Interpreter Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

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Medical Interpreter information

See Oregon salary details

$17

$35

$45

How much do medical interpreter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for medical interpreter in Oregon is $35.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.21 and $42.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a medical interpreter?

A medical interpreter is someone who is fluent in a second language that helps patients who do not speak English to communicate with their doctors and healthcare team. As a medical interpreter, your responsibilities and duties include listening to the patient’s questions and concerns and relating them to their doctor and team. You then translate the healthcare provider’s response to the patient. You must be fluent in your second language and also familiar with the medical and physiological terminology in that language. You must have excellent listening and interpersonal skills.

How does a medical interpreter typically collaborate with healthcare professionals and patients during a clinical visit?

Medical interpreters play a vital role in ensuring clear communication between patients with limited English proficiency and healthcare providers. During a clinical visit, interpreters work side-by-side with doctors, nurses, and other staff members to accurately convey medical information and patient concerns in real-time. They must maintain confidentiality, remain impartial, and adapt to rapidly changing situations, such as emergencies or sensitive discussions. This collaborative environment requires interpreters to be attentive, culturally aware, and able to manage the emotional nuances of medical conversations.

Is it worth it to become a medical interpreter?

A medical interpreter plays a vital role in healthcare by facilitating communication between patients and providers, often requiring fluency in at least two languages and certification such as the CMI or NRIC. The job offers steady demand, competitive pay, and opportunities for flexible schedules, making it a valuable career choice for bilingual individuals interested in healthcare support.

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

To thrive as a Medical Interpreter, you need fluency in at least two languages, a solid understanding of medical terminology, and a professional certification such as CMI or CHI. Familiarity with interpretation equipment and secure communication platforms is typically required in healthcare settings. Excellent listening skills, cultural sensitivity, and emotional resilience help interpreters convey messages accurately and support patient-provider relationships. These capabilities are crucial to ensure clear communication, patient safety, and equitable access to healthcare for non-English-speaking patients.

Is there a demand for medical interpreters?

The demand for medical interpreters is high and expected to grow due to increasing diversity in patient populations and the need for effective communication in healthcare. Employers seek bilingual professionals with certification and cultural competence to meet patient needs and comply with legal requirements. This growth creates job opportunities across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.

What is the difference between Medical Interpreter vs Medical Translator?

AspectMedical InterpreterMedical Translator
CredentialsCertification (e.g., CMI, CI) often requiredCertification (e.g., ATA certification) preferred but less common
Work EnvironmentReal-time, spoken communication in healthcare settingsWritten documents, reports, and patient materials
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, clinics, healthcare providersMedical publishing, documentation, legal medical translation
Search & Comparison IntentInterpreting services, live communicationTranslation of medical texts, reports

Medical interpreters focus on real-time spoken communication between patients and healthcare providers, often requiring certification and working directly in clinical settings. Medical translators work with written medical documents, requiring strong language skills and often certification, but typically operate in office or remote environments. Both roles are essential in healthcare but serve different communication needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Medical Interpreter jobs in Oregon?

The most popular types of Medical Interpreter jobs in Oregon are:

What cities in Oregon are hiring for Medical Interpreter jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Medical Interpreter job openings:

Infographic showing various Medical Interpreter job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $74,444 per year, or $35.8 per hour.

Per diem

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Location: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97301
Department: Language Services
Position Type: Unscheduled/ Per Diem
Schedule: Scheduling will encompass all hours and days, aligned with business needs
Your role with us
At Salem Health, a medical interpreter plays a critical role in ensuring equitable, accurate, and timely communication between patients, families, and health care providers by providing in-person and remote language interpretation, primarily in high-stakes medical contexts. In addition to direct interpretation, the role includes coordinating services for other languages, supporting staff education on working with limited english proficiency (LEP) patients, and acting as a cultural liaison to improve patient trust and safety. Interpreters also contribute to system improvements, regulatory compliance, and community engagement, helping to reduce barriers to care. If you're passionate about language access and making a difference in patient care, we encourage you to apply and join our dedicated team at Salem Health.
What you'll do
  • Provide accurate, impartial, and timely in-person or remote medical interpretation between patients, families, and providers to ensure clear, medically necessary communication 24/7.
  • Coordinate and support language access services for a variety of languages, including American Sign Language, through scheduling, patient rounding, and use of auxiliary aids.
  • Triage and prioritize multiple interpretation requests to meet urgent and complex patient care needs effectively.
  • Educate staff and support cultural competency by sharing insights on language and cultural dynamics that impact communication with LEP patients.
  • Act as a Community Health Liaison and cultural broker, building trust, addressing health equity, and supporting regulatory compliance and patient safety.
  • Utilize technology tools such as dispatching systems and mobile devices to ensure efficient communication and service delivery.
Required qualifications
  • Certified Health Care Interpreter: Currently has Oregon State Health Care Interpreter Certification from OHA.

Additional Information
  • Formal interpreting experience or the completion of a state approved health care interpreter training course preferred.

Why Salem Health?
Salem Health is a Top Workplace in Oregon, known for fostering a supportive culture where your contributions truly matter. As an award-winning, independent health care system, we serve our region through Salem Hospital, multiple community clinics and West Valley Hospital, ensuring broad access to high-quality care.
We believe in empowering our teams. Through Lean principles, staff help drive innovation and solve real problems. We also invest in your growth with professional development, tuition assistance, and clear career pathways. At Salem Health, you'll find more than a job, you'll find purpose, connection, and room to thrive.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or condition protected by law.
Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact my.recruiter@salemhealth.org.