SOC 27-3091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Interpreters and Translators — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 7 metro areas compared
At $57,040, median pay for Interpreters and Translators in Pennsylvania tracks the national median of $60,170 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $57,040, median pay for Interpreters and Translators in Pennsylvania tracks the national median of $60,170 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,580 at the tenth percentile to more than $104,120 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,120 to $80,590.
The area has 1,420 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.70 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Pennsylvania ranks number 23rd out of 47 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Lancaster records the highest median at $78,890. Of the 778 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 425th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,580 | −35.9% |
| 25th | $45,120 | −25.0% |
| Median (50th) | $57,040 | −5.2% |
| 75th | $80,590 | +33.9% |
| 90th | $104,120 | +73.0% |
| Mean | $64,190 | +6.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster | $78,890 | 40 | |
| 2 | York | $64,330 | 40 | |
| 3 | Pittsburgh | $62,730 | 120 | |
| 4 | Reading | $62,590 | 40 | |
| 5 | Philadelphia | $57,940 | 770 | |
| 6 | Allentown | $55,480 | 40 | |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $54,390 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $57,040 goes as far as $58,443 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,443US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,040 a year, 5.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,580 to $104,120 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,420 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 23rd of 47 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lancaster, at $78,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Interpreters and Translators in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $57,040, or $27.42 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,170, so pay in Pennsylvania is 5.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Pennsylvania earns more than $104,120 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,580 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lancaster, at $78,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,420 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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