by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Language Translation covers Language Interpretation And Translation. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Be Professional Interpreters And/or Translators Of Documents And Data Files, Either From English Or (Canadian) French Into Another Language Or Languages Or Vice Versa. Includes Intensive Instruction In One Or More Foreign Languages Plus Instruction In Subjects Such As Single- And Multiple-Language Interpretation, One- Or Two-Way Interpretation, Simultaneous Interpretation, General And Literary Translation, Business Translation, Technical Translation, And Other Specific Applications Of Linguistic Skills. Continue reading for the essential details every language translation major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering language translation programs.
In the U.S., language translation is a widely-pursued major, with 967 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Language Translation Schools ranking analyzes these 73 schools to determine the best overall colleges for language translation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of language translation programs later in this article.
Studies in Language Translation emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations language translation graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a language translation program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a language translation major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several language translation degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 89 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 52 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 75 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 737 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to language translation tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 26.8% |
| Master’s degree | 21.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in language translation careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in language translation can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to language translation.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to language translation.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | 629,317 | 7.3% |
| Interpreters and Translators | 424,722 | 12.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of language translation graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,314 |
| 4 years | $43,990 |
| 5 years | $52,123 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for language translation graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers language translation grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,627 |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $39,815 |
With 73 different language translation programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased language translation school rankings to help you.
Students interested in language translation, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Linguistics | 2,847 |
| Foreign Languages and Literatures, General | 2,396 |
| Comparative Literature | 917 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other | 240 |
| Applied Linguistics | 197 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
