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Translator : Salary and conditions

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Case studies

  • There is a wide range of starting salaries for translators in the UK and freelance rates are usually calculated according to the word count. Translation of highly specialised texts, from or into unusual languages, demands higher rates than general translation.
  • The European Union (EU)  and the United Nations (UN)  are the best paying employers of senior translators. Entry level translators for the EU start on around £3,800 - £4,300 a month. Senior translators can earn between £14,800 - £16,000 a month (European Commission , September 2011).
  • Translators’ average daily output is 2,000 - 3,000 words.
  • Working hours for in-house translators are usually 9am to 5pm.
  • In-house roles are usually office based with translators working mostly alone. Sometimes they work as part of a small team in translation agencies or companies in large cities. Contact with clients is limited and mostly by email, phone or post.
  • The majority of translators are self-employed. Freelance translators work from home and enjoy flexible hours, although their work flow may be unpredictable. It can be helpful to build up experience and client contacts by working as an in-house translator before going freelance.
  • More regular interaction with clients is usually helpful in the case of freelance and literary translators, particularly if they are running their own business and seeking commissions for work.
  • The work involves intense concentration and pressure to submit translations to deadline.
  • Travel within the working day and overnight absences from home are rarely required.
  • Although overseas work or travel is rarely necessary for translation work, it is common for translators to have lived for some time in the country or countries whose languages they translate and to keep their command of languages alive by visiting the relevant countries.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
September 2011
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