What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Interpreters and Translators in the U.S. earn more than $60,170 a year — the middle 80% land between $37,070 and $103,660. About 52,060 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Interpreters and Translators”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$60,170typical pay / year
52,060people in this work
$103,660+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Convincing2
Interpret spoken or sign language
+Listen to the spoken or signed take and render an interpretive transcript that preserves meaning, timing, and…
Interpret spoken or sign language
+Listen to the spoken or signed take and render an interpretive transcript that preserves meaning, timing, and speaker intent, noting nonverbal cues and ambiguities for the director before the first dubbing pass tonight.
The tools that do the workAdapt Itjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Compile terminology and information for translations
+Gather existing glossaries, character notes, and on-screen terminology, compile a single two-column reference…
Compile terminology and information for translations
+Gather existing glossaries, character notes, and on-screen terminology, compile a single two-column reference list with source line, preferred target term, usage note, and confidence level for the translation team by tomorrow noon.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting1
Follow ethical codes protecting confidentiality
+Review the session files and mark any confidential lines or off-record remarks, create an encrypted list of…
Follow ethical codes protecting confidentiality
+Review the session files and mark any confidential lines or off-record remarks, create an encrypted list of sensitive items with access restrictions and a short justification for retention, then send it only to the lead producer.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record3
Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
+Proofread the translated script for sync, idiomatic accuracy, and vocal cadence, make line edits with…
Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
+Proofread the translated script for sync, idiomatic accuracy, and vocal cadence, make line edits with rationale in margin notes, and produce a clean version plus a change log for the ADR mixer before the recording session.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Communicate information immediately after interpreting
+Immediately after each interpretation, send a concise report to the director and head editor summarising key…
Communicate information immediately after interpreting
+Immediately after each interpretation, send a concise report to the director and head editor summarising key decisions, unresolved ambiguities, and timing risks so they can flag any required rework before dubbing.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookESCOWikipedia
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Convert concepts, style, and tone in source language
+Convert the source dialogue's concepts, register, and tone into target-language choices per character,…
Convert concepts, style, and tone in source language
+Convert the source dialogue's concepts, register, and tone into target-language choices per character, produce alternate phrase options for three emotionally distinct takes, and label each with timing and performance notes for actors.
The tools that do the workAdapt ItESCOjob descriptions
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The daily work14
Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and colleagues
+Nurture ongoing trust with producers, directors and the post team by sending a friendly weekly status note on…
Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and colleagues
+Nurture ongoing trust with producers, directors and the post team by sending a friendly weekly status note on script changes, flagging sensitive lines, proposing alternatives that keep intent and timing, and asking for any objections by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings
+Listen to the last two takes of the scene and transcribe each speaker’s lines with notes on tone and…
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings
+Listen to the last two takes of the scene and transcribe each speaker’s lines with notes on tone and emphasis, mark ambiguous phrases that need clarification, then request confirmation from the director by end of day so timing and meaning match.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Use external resources and tools for written translation (implied for translators)
+Check the client glossary, consult a bilingual dictionary and the production’s reference scripts to resolve…
Use external resources and tools for written translation (implied for translators)
+Check the client glossary, consult a bilingual dictionary and the production’s reference scripts to resolve three problematic idioms, update the translation notes file with sources and suggested renderings, and send the updated file to the translation lead.
The tools that do the workAdapt ItMicrosoft WordWikipedia
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Engage in historical research related to interpretation practices
+Research how dubbing teams handled register and politeness in four historical dubbing projects, compile short…
Engage in historical research related to interpretation practices
+Research how dubbing teams handled register and politeness in four historical dubbing projects, compile short examples with timestamps and a one-paragraph implication for our script choices, then share the brief with the director before tomorrow’s session.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelWikipedia
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Convert spoken communication from one language to another
+Render the speaker’s lines into the target language preserving intent and timing, produce alternate phrasing…
Convert spoken communication from one language to another
+Render the speaker’s lines into the target language preserving intent and timing, produce alternate phrasing for long sentences to fit mouth movements, note where rhyme or cultural references are lost, and deliver both options to the director for selection.
The tools that do the workAceTools.biz Ace TranslatorESCO
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Retain considerable amounts of information
+Memorise and rehearse the scene’s dialogue by creating a condensed cue sheet of characters’ objectives and…
Retain considerable amounts of information
+Memorise and rehearse the scene’s dialogue by creating a condensed cue sheet of characters’ objectives and key facts, test recall during a read-through, and note any lines that require crib sheets for actors before the next session.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Take notes to aid understanding
+Listen to the scene audio and take time-stamped notes of each spoken turn, noting speaker, emotion, pace, any…
Take notes to aid understanding
+Listen to the scene audio and take time-stamped notes of each spoken turn, noting speaker, emotion, pace, any overlapping lines, unclear words, and probable cultural references so I can match rhythm and meaning in the dub script.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Preserve meaning of original speech
+Read the original dialogue and produce a line-by-line rendering that preserves intention, subtext, and idioms…
Preserve meaning of original speech
+Read the original dialogue and produce a line-by-line rendering that preserves intention, subtext, and idioms while suggesting alternative phrasings for lip sync and timing so the producer can choose the best match.
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Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
+Find every line where a character says a term that could mean different things in Spanish and English, list…
Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
+Find every line where a character says a term that could mean different things in Spanish and English, list the conflicting senses, propose one choice that preserves the speaker’s intent and emotional tone, and mark lines that need director approval before recording.
The tools that do the workAdapt ItO*NET
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Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.
+Localise the software help text and the install guide for Latin American audiences: adapt UI strings,…
Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.
+Localise the software help text and the install guide for Latin American audiences: adapt UI strings, examples, and screenshots so metaphors, dates, and measurements read naturally while keeping technical accuracy and noting any strings that require developer changes.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordHypertext markup language HTMLO*NET
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Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.
+Draft a two‑day training schedule for three junior adapters covering lip sync strategy, preserving register,…
Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.
+Draft a two‑day training schedule for three junior adapters covering lip sync strategy, preserving register, and conflict resolution; include sample exercises, evaluation rubrics, and a list of ten lines for supervised practice with scoring criteria.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
+Turn these legal excerpts and a news feature into fluent target‑language scripts: keep legal precision,…
Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
+Turn these legal excerpts and a news feature into fluent target‑language scripts: keep legal precision, simplify long sentences for dubbing, note lines needing vocal emphasis, and produce timing estimates so voice actors can match original speech.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Speak, read, and write fluently in at least two languages
+Produce a practice dossier proving fluency in English and French: three short sight‑read interpretations, two…
Speak, read, and write fluently in at least two languages
+Produce a practice dossier proving fluency in English and French: three short sight‑read interpretations, two recorded translations with cultural notes, and a one‑page self‑assessment explaining choices and diction strategy.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Provide accurate, culturally sensitive, and impartial interpretations
+Review this recorded assignment and transcript, flag any passages where cultural bias or ambiguity could…
Provide accurate, culturally sensitive, and impartial interpretations
+Review this recorded assignment and transcript, flag any passages where cultural bias or ambiguity could mislead listeners, propose neutral renderings with brief justification, and mark lines that need a cultural consultant’s sign‑off.
The tools that do the workAceTools.biz Ace Translatorjob descriptions
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Says who?
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Activities this job lives in
The human activities behind the tasks — each with its honest AI ceiling.
The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
The LLOS Work Atlas is the world's largest evidenced task library — a map of human work, with a ready prompt behind every task. 1,774 careers · every task named by the sources that witnessed it — O*NET, ESCO, real job descriptions, Wikipedia — and the deepest tasks by several at once. And it is honest about limits: where AI cannot help, the map says so.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses