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Sign Language Jobs in Bakersfield, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Sign Language information

See Bakersfield, CA salary details

$30.5K

$68K

$73.4K

How much do sign language jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for sign language in Bakersfield, CA is $67,962.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,400.00 and $71,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sign language interpreter?

Sign language interpreters are professionals who facilitate communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and those who use spoken language. They translate spoken language into sign language and vice versa, ensuring that information is conveyed accurately and effectively. Interpreters work in various settings, including schools, medical facilities, legal proceedings, and public events. Their goal is to bridge communication gaps and provide equal access to information for everyone.

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

To thrive as a Sign Language Interpreter, you need fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) or relevant sign systems and typically hold a certification such as the NIC or CI/CT from RID. Familiarity with interpreting equipment, video relay services (VRS), and remote interpreting platforms is also important. Outstanding listening, cultural competency, and the ability to remain impartial are key soft skills for effective communication. These abilities are vital to accurately convey information between deaf and hearing individuals, ensuring accessibility and mutual understanding.

What are the common challenges sign language interpreters face when working in diverse settings, and how can they prepare for them?

Sign language interpreters often work in a variety of environments such as educational institutions, medical facilities, and legal settings, each with unique terminology and communication needs. A common challenge is quickly adapting to specialized vocabulary or unfamiliar subject matter while ensuring accurate and clear interpretation. Preparation involves continuous professional development, familiarizing oneself with relevant jargon, and collaborating closely with both Deaf and hearing clients to clarify expectations. Building strong relationships with colleagues and consistently reviewing ethical guidelines also help interpreters navigate complex situations effectively.

What is the difference between Sign Language vs Interpreter?

AspectSign LanguageInterpreter
CredentialsKnowledge of sign language, certifications varyCertified sign language interpreters often hold specific certifications (e.g., NIC)
Work EnvironmentUsed in communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing individualsFacilitates communication between deaf and hearing parties in various settings
Industry UsageLanguage used by deaf communities, educators, and advocatesProfessionally interprets sign language in medical, legal, educational, and business settings

Sign Language refers to the language itself used by deaf communities, while an Interpreter is a professional who translates between sign language and spoken language. Both are essential in facilitating communication, but Sign Language is a language, and Interpreter is a role that requires specific skills and certifications.

Is there a career in sign language?

A career in sign language typically involves becoming a sign language interpreter or translator, working in settings such as schools, healthcare, or government agencies. These roles often require certification, strong communication skills, and knowledge of deaf culture. Job opportunities are available in various regions and may involve full-time, part-time, or freelance work.

What jobs can I get if I know sign language?

Sign language skills can qualify you for roles such as sign language interpreter, where you facilitate communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and others, often requiring certification. Other opportunities include working as a deaf education teacher, counselor, or in customer service roles that serve deaf communities, often benefiting from knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL) and related tools.

What jobs can you get with sign language?

Jobs for individuals skilled in sign language include sign language interpreters, who facilitate communication between deaf or hard-of-hearing people and others in settings like healthcare, education, and legal environments. Other roles include deaf education teachers, ASL instructors, and communication specialists in various organizations; these positions often require certification and strong communication skills. Knowledge of assistive technologies and cultural competence are also valuable in these careers.

What are popular job titles related to Sign Language jobs in Bakersfield, CA?

For Sign Language jobs in Bakersfield, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Sign Language jobs in Bakersfield, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Sign Language jobs in Bakersfield, CA are:

What cities near Bakersfield, CA are hiring for Sign Language jobs?

Cities near Bakersfield, CA with the most Sign Language job openings:

Infographic showing various Sign Language job openings in Bakersfield, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,962 per year, or $32.7 per hour.

Sign Language Interpreter II

Kern Community College District

Bakersfield, CA โ€ข On-site

$30.31/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 17 days ago


Job description

Salary: $30.31 Hourly
Location : CC - Main Campus, Ridgecrest, CA
Job Type: Temporary -- Classified Substitute
Job Number: FY21-22-00700
College: Cerro Coso Community College
Department: Student Services
Opening Date: 03/28/2022
Closing Date: Continuous
Below is our job description for this position. Please also review the Important Instructions & Additional Information section below, which contains valuable information about our application process.
Basic Function
Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, provide sign language interpreting services to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have other communication disorders; may tutor students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Services may involve highly technical or specialized subject matter that require higher levels of skill and more advanced and fluent interpreting techniques.
Three Class titles are defined within the Interpreter series. Movement to a higher class and/or skill level within the Interpreter series is based on the duties, skills, education, training, certifications, and experience of the incumbent. Interpreters possessing higher levels of skills typically are assigned more complex and advanced level interpreting assignments.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The Interpreter II and III levels are distinguished from the Interpreter I by performing more complex assignments requiring a combination of higher levels of training, skills, certification, and experience. Assignments at the higher levels in the Interpreter series often involve high levels of interactive discussions requiring the interpreter to rapidly switch between spoken English and sign language or manual sign system and vice versa. These assignments may include, but are not limited to, the following:
โ€ข Advanced level or highly complex classes requiring significant and rapid interaction using highly technical or specialized subject matter and vocabulary;
โ€ข Discussion situations in classrooms, conferences, and workshops involving advanced and/or complex topics requiring significant sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign translations; and,
โ€ข More complex interpreting situations such as conferences, workshops, seminars, theatrical, and/or other platform settings where multiple consumers, including students, faculty and staff are served simultaneously.
Representative Duties
Interpret and translate classroom lectures simultaneously and facilitate communication between deaf and hard-of-hearing students and hearing faculty, staff, and students as related to coursework.
Accurately convey the meaning and spirit of the hearing speaker using grammatically correct American Sign Language and verbally convey the meaning and spirit of the deaf or hard of hearing signer using correct English grammar.
Utilize resources to increase knowledge of American Sign Language, Professional interpreting techniques and procedures, Deaf Culture, specialized vocabulary, and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct.
Observe and team with other interpreters, and receive mentorship from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Coordinator and peers. Serve as a mentor for Sign Language Interpreter I's.
Respond to student difficulties and concerns with understanding and sensitivity.
Attend and participate in workshops and conferences to improve and maintain interpreting skill level, and keep abreast of interpreting trends by studying specialized ASL vocabulary and other materials.
May read text, handouts, and dictionaries, and prepare translation of difficult-to-interpret course content.
Work in collaboration with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Coordinator and other Sign Language Interpreters to collect existing technical signs, and to establish special signs and/or vocabulary for underrepresented scientific/technical terms or concepts.
May proctor exams as necessary.
May answer telephones; take and relay messages; provide information and assistance to students; refer students to appropriate personnel.
May operate a variety of office, audio visual and instructional equipment.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination equivalent to: Graduation from an Interpreter Training Program (ITP) or equivalent or Associate of Art's Degree in American Sign Language, Interpreting, or a related field and three (3) academic years of paid experience interpreting for the Deaf and hard of hearing utilizing both receptive and expressive interpreting.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Incumbents must possess and maintain skills certification issued by the National Registry of Interpreters for the deaf (RID): Certification of Transliteration (CT) or Certificate of Interpretation (CI); and/or certification at Level 3 by the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) or American Consortium of Certified Interpreters (ACCI) certificate at Level 3 or higher, or National Interpreter Certification (NIC) certification. NAD certification at Level 4 is preferred.
Successful completion of an interpreting skills evaluation is required.
Knowledge & Abilities
KNOWLEDGE OF:
American Sign Language and interpreting Techniques.
Appropriate roles and individual responsibilities relating to interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
Deaf cultural values and general issues in the field of deafness.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
Resources available to Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators in order to improve knowledge and skills.
Effective oral communication.
Modern office practices and procedures.
ABILITY TO:
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Interpret messages spoken by hearing people into American Sign Language.
Interpret messages signed by deaf and hard of hearing people into English.
Interpret by translating higher-level technical academic material requiring specialized.
Sign Language vocabulary for high level technical academic materials utilizing highly proficient English and/or American Sign Language (ASL), used in classes such as science, history, and psychology, on District's skills performance evaluation examination.
Adhere to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Code of Professional Conduct.
Assess individual situations to determine the needs of each deaf or hard-of-hearing student, such as language preferences or preferences in having comments voiced for him/her or voicing for himself/herself.
Attend and participate in various workshops in order to improve interpreting/transliterating skill.
Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students with disabilities.
Learn a variety of routine reception and clerical procedures.
Learn to use the variety of assistive devices/equipment used to assist students with disabilities.
Work successfully in an interpreting team in the classroom or other campus setting.
Important Instructions & Additional Information
Complete applications received by the "assured consideration date" above are guaranteed to be reviewed by Human Resources. If you apply after this date, there is no guarantee that your application will be reviewed. However, we still recommend that you apply because recruitments remain open until filled. The District and/or College reserves the right to extend time limits and/or repost or restart recruitments at any point.
Completed applications must include the following.
  • Completed online application for employment
  • Current resume
  • Letter of interest (cover letter)
  • List of 5 (five) professional references (entered in online application)
  • Copy of legible transcripts (if required for the position)

It is your responsibility to redact or remove any personally identifiable information from all documents prior to uploading, including Social Security numbers, date of birth, photos, etc.
For all positions, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, shall be considered a core system competency and job requirement. ()
Equivalency for Minimum Qualifications
Applicants for faculty and educational administrator positions in California Community Colleges are required to meet certain minimum qualifications as provided by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and detailed in the If you do not meet these minimum qualifications, you may still be eligible by completing the KernCCD Application for Equivalence process. Please see our for more information.
International or Foreign Degrees
Applicants with international or foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application.
Accommodations
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements. (For more information, see our )
Discrimination Free Work Environment
Discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation of any person, military and veteran status, or the perception that a person has one or more of these characteristics is illegal and violates Kern Community College District policy.
The Kern CCD Equal Employment Opportunity Plan guides the development, implementation, and monitoring of the District's efforts to foster equal employment opportunities and workplace diversity.
See our for more information.
Work Authorization
Kern Community College District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission.
E-Verify
The Kern Community College District participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify program to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, please visit
Helpful Links
Full-time permanent employees (20+ hours per month) are eligible for health benefits:
  • Health
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance
  • Long-term Disability

In addition to the above benefits, the District also offers a robust voluntary benefits selection:
  • Flex 125
  • Additional products and services through American Fidelity
  • Supplemental Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Tax Shelter Annuities

The District participates in CalPERS Retirement System and Social Security benefits for Classified and Management employees. Employees covered under the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), are vested 100% after five years of full-time service credit.
The District participates in the State Teacher's Retirement System (STRS) for faculty. Employees covered under the State Teacher's Retirement System (STRS), are vested 100% after five years of full-time service credit.
All coverages begin on the first of the following month after the hire date.
The following classifications are eligible for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health benefits at the employee expense offered through SISC:
  • Permanent Employees (19 hours or less)
  • Adjuncts
  • Temporary Hourly
  • Professional Experts

For additional information, please visit our

Kern Community College District logo

About Kern Community College District

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Kern Community College District (KCCD) is a reputable organization in the educational sector based in Bakersfield, California, United States. Their industry consists of higher education services focused on providing quality and diverse learning experiences to meet the educational and workforce development needs. Dating back to its establishment in 1968, KCCD has grown substantially, managing three accredited colleges: Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Porterville College. The mission of KCCD is to provide outstanding educational programs and services that are responsive to the diverse needs of the students, communities, and economy.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Bakersfield, CA, US

Year founded

1961