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Translators, terminologists and interpreters (NOC 5125)

Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources
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About this job

Translators:

  • translate written material from one language to another
  • work for government, private translation and interpretation agencies, in-house translation services, large private corporations, international organizations and the media
  • may be self-employed

Interpreters:

  • translate oral communication from one language to another during speeches, meetings, conferences, debates and conversation, or in court or before organizational hearings
  • work for government, private translation and interpretation agencies, in-house translation services, large private corporations, international organizations and the media
  • may be self-employed

Terminologists:

  • do research to list terms connected with a certain field, define them and find equivalents in another language
  • work for government, private translation and interpretation agencies, in-house translation services, large private corporations, international organizations and the media
  • may be self-employed

Sign language interpreters:

  • use sign language to translate spoken language and vice versa during meetings, conversations, television programs or other instances

Translators, terminologists and interpreters:

  • work for government, private translation and interpretation agencies, in-house translation services, large private corporations, international organizations and the media
  • may be self-employed

Sign language interpreters:

  • work in schools and courts, and for social service agencies, interpretation services, government services and television stations
  • may be self-employed
Common job titles
  • Certified interpreter
  • Certified terminologist
  • Certified translator
  • specialist, cultural adaptation
  • terminologist, legal / medical
  • translator
  • Certified interpreter
  • Certified terminologist
  • Certified translator
  • interpreter, ASL (American Sign Language)
  • interpreter, community / conference
  • interpreter, elbow / escort

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$56,895

Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2021-2031)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2021 - 2026
  • 2026 - 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 620

  • 2022
  • 2026
  • 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
38.1%
240 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
61.9%
390 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Kootenay
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2021:
1,370
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.4%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
520
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Northeast
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2021:
60
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
0.6%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
20
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2021:
230
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.2%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
80

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Translators and translator-revisers:

  • translate a variety of written material such as correspondence, reports, legal documents, technical specifications and textbooks from one language to another, maintaining the content, context and style of the original material to the greatest extent possible
  • adapt software and accompanying technical documents to fit another language and culture
  • revise and correct translated material
  • may train and supervise other translators

Terminologists:

  • identify the terminology used in a field of activity
  • do terminological research on a given subject or in response to inquiries for the preparation of glossaries, terminology banks, technological files, dictionaries, lexicons and resource centres, and add to terminological databases
  • manage, update and circulate linguistic information collected from terminological databases
  • give advice to translators, interpreters and technical writers preparing legal, scientific or other documents requiring specialized terminologies

Interpreters:

  • interpret oral communication from one language to another aloud or using electronic equipment, either simultaneously (as the speaker speaks), consecutively (after the speaker speaks) or whispered (speaking in a low whisper to one or two persons as the speaker is talking)
  • provide interpretation services in court or before organizational hearings
  • may interpret language for individuals and small groups travelling in Canada and abroad
  • may interpret for persons speaking a native or foreign language in a variety of circumstances
  • may train other interpreters

Sign language interpreters:

  • translate sign language to a spoken language and vice versa either simultaneously or consecutively
  • work in French and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) or in English and American Sign Language (ASL)

Special duties

Translators, terminologists and interpreters may specialize in two languages, such as French and English, the official languages of Canada. They may may also specialize in another language and one of the official languages.  The main areas of specialization include: administrative, literary, scientific and technical translation.

Interpreters may specialize in court, parliamentary or conference interpretation.

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work takes place in a conventional indoor setting.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

1,600 workers are employed
24% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:
71%
Educational Services:
8%
Public Administration:
7%
Information, Culture and Recreation:
5%
Health Care and Social Assistance:
3%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2016 Census

Career paths and resources

Career paths

At this time, career path information is not available for this occupation.

Additional resources

Profile last updated:
May 25, 2022
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