5122-NOC

Translators, terminologists and interpreters

(NOC 51114)
Annual Earnings
$60,024
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
University Degree
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
550

Career Overview

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

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.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$60,024

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$33.11/hr
Median$28.78/hr
Low$18.58/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

1,545

% Employed Full Time

29%
Source: 2021 Census

Work takes place in a conventional indoor setting.

Career Pathways

Career path information is currently not available.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Artistic
Artistic
Social
Social

Job Titles

Community interpreter
Conference interpreter
Court interpreter
Interpreter
Legal terminologist
Literary translator
Localiser - linguistics
Medical terminologist
Sign language interpreter
Terminologist
Translator
Translator adaptor
Translator-reviser

Education, Training and Skills

  • A university degree in translation with a specialization in translation, interpretation or terminology in two languages including at least one of the two official languages
    or
    A university degree in a related discipline such as languages, linguistics, philology and courses in linguistic transfer and two years' experience as a full-time translator working in two languages, at least one of which is an official language
    or
  • Five years of experience as a full-time translator working in two languages, at least one of which is an official language, are required
  • Sign language interpreters require a college training program or a university certificate in sign language interpretation
  • Certification on dossier or by examination from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council may be required for translators, terminologists and interpreters
  • Sign language interpreters may require a certificate or certification evaluation in LSQ or ASL
  • Fluency in three languages is usually required for translators or interpreters working in an international context
  • Membership in a provincial or territorial association of translators, interpreters and terminologists may be required
  • Membership in a provincial association of sign language interpreters may be required

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Interpreting/Sign Language
  • Modern Languages
  • Linguistics Related (Arts)
  • Legal Secretarial
  • Linguistics (Science)
  • French Studies Related
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

78%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

75%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

72%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

68%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

65%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

65%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

53%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

53%
Active Learning

Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.

53%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

53%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

1,545
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 0 0.0%
Kootenay 0 0.0%
Mainland/Southwest 1,265 81.9%
North Coast and Nechako 0 0.0%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 75 4.9%
Vancouver Island/Coast 190 12.3%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

550
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo Not available Not available
Kootenay Not available Not available
Mainland/Southwest 470 1.0%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast Not available Not available
Thompson-Okanagan 20 1.3%
Vancouver Island/Coast 60 0.8%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services430
Educational Services50
Public Administration20
Business, Building And Other Support Services20
Information, Culture And Recreation10
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources