Interpreters and Translators Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $84,670 +42.4% vs national
Median hourly $40.71
10th percentile $54,070
90th percentile $118,330
Employed locally 840
National median $59,440

Compare Interpreters and Translators salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Interpreters and Translators
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $54,070
    25th
    $68,010
    50th (median)
    $84,670
    75th
    $100,640
    90th
    $118,330

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Interpreters and Translators salary vs area income 63% Median Interpreters and Translators salary is 37% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Interpreters and Translators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $98,910
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $96,510
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $85,660
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $85,590
    New York $84,650
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,740

    Nearby metros — Interpreters and Translators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $98,910
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $96,510
    Salinas, CA $80,120
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $78,140
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $77,710
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $77,120

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $98,460
    Coaches and Scouts $47,260
    Producers and Directors $122,210
    Graphic Designers $89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other $99,420
    Editors $99,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Interpreters and Translators make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Interpreters and Translators in San Francisco, CA is $40.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $57.81 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Interpreters and Translators salaries?

    The median Interpreters and Translators salary in San Francisco, CA is 42.4% above the national median of $59,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Interpreters and Translators in San Francisco?

    Entry-level Interpreters and Translators (10th percentile) earn around $54,070 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,010.