The best translator programs near Norfolk, Virginia pair focused training with a state median wage of about $63,030 a year for interpreters and translators (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most students combine existing fluency with a 6-to-24-month translation certificate or degree program; the voluntary ATA certification exam can come later, per language pair.
Translators convert written material between languages; interpreters handle spoken and signed communication. Training typically covers professional technique, ethics, specialty terminology, and the computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools the industry runs on.
Key Facts
Virginia median wage: $63,030/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Virginia employment: 1,630 interpreters and translators (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Virginia location quotient: 1.19 (Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025)
Typical program length: 6-12 months (certificate) to 2 years (associate) (Source: IPEDS, 2024)
Translator Schools near Norfolk
Compare translator schools near Norfolk
BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from
federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings
are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single
trade. Distance is measured from Norfolk, Virginia.
Schools closest to Norfolk, Virginia are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from Norfolk, Virginia is shown for reference.
The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation,
earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within
each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it.
*Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is
completed in person. Read the full methodology.
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 8 schools
within 181 miles, closest group first, then ordered by
BOC Score with the highest at the top.
8 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
#1
American University
📍
Washington, DC
•148.3 miles away•BOC Score
71.5
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20016-8001
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Translator Programs in Norfolk, Virginia (2026)Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Translator Programs in Norfolk, Virginia (2026)
School
Median graduate earnings
Durham Technical Community College
$57,868
Beaufort County Community College
$51,493
Wilson Community College
$48,262
Johnston Community College
$48,144
Sampson Community College
$43,410
Alamance Community College
$41,411
Translator Pay and Job Outlook
Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Interpreters and TranslatorsSource: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Interpreters and Translators annual wage percentiles
Percentile
Annual wage
10th
$37,070
25th
$46,530
50th (median)
$60,170
75th
$80,830
90th
$103,660
Projected employment growth, United States, Interpreters and Translators, 2024-2034Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034
Interpreters and Translators employment projection 2024 to 2034
Year
Employment
2024
75,300
2034 projected
76,600
Percent change
+1.7%
Virginia Translator Quick Facts
Translator-Professional Salary in U.S.
Median Salary$60,170$28.93/hr
Average Salary$66,360$31.90/hr
Salary Range
$37,07010th pctl
$60,170Median
$103,66090th pctl
10th Percentile$37,070 $17.82/hr
25th Percentile$46,530 $22.37/hr
75th Percentile$80,830 $38.86/hr
90th Percentile$103,660 $49.84/hr
Employment & Outlook
Total Employed52,060
Growth (2024-2034)1.7%
Annual Openings6,900
Jobs per 1,0000.3
How to Start a Translator Career in Virginia
Reach professional fluency in two or more languages. Fluency comes from education, immersion, or bilingual upbringing and is the prerequisite for professional training.
Complete translation or interpreting training. Certificate and degree programs typically teach technique, ethics, terminology, and CAT tools.
Pick a specialty. Medical, legal, technical, and literary work each have distinct vocabulary and standards; specialists typically out-earn generalists.
Consider ATA certification. The American Translators Association exam is the field’s most recognized voluntary credential for written translation.
Build a client base or staff role. Translators commonly combine agency work, direct clients, and staff positions; portfolio and specialty drive rates.
No general license is required to work as a translator. The American Translators Association (ATA) offers a respected voluntary certification exam per language pair. Court and medical interpreting have their own credentialing paths that vary by state and employer - confirm what your target setting expects.
Pathways into the Field
Common entry paths are a translation certificate on top of existing fluency, a languages degree, or in-house bilingual roles that grow into translation work. Court and medical interpreting have their own credential tracks.
What You Study
Translation technique and professional ethics
Specialty terminology (medical, legal, technical)
CAT tools and translation memory software
Localization and cultural adaptation
Portfolio and business practices
Tips for Choosing a Translator Program
Confirm accreditation and how recognized the credential is with employers.
Look for hands-on training in language-pair coverage, CAT tool training, and specialty tracks.
Compare flexible schedules (day/evening/online) that match your availability.
Ask about job-search support with local employers.
Review certification-prep resources and post-completion support.
Popular Online Programs In Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does translator training take near Norfolk?
Beyond language fluency itself, translation and interpreting certificate programs typically run 6 months to 2 years. A bachelor's degree is the typical credential BLS reports for the occupation, though skill and portfolio matter most in practice.
How much do interpreters and translators earn in Virginia?
According to BLS OEWS (May 2025), interpreters and translators in Virginia earned a median annual wage of about $63,030. Pay varies with experience, employer, and specialization. The 10th-to-90th percentile range was about $43,160 to $123,490 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many translator schools are near Norfolk?
The schools listed above are within driving distance of Norfolk. Compare them by tuition, program length, BOC Score, and the credential each one awards.
Do translators need a license?
No general license is required to work as a translator. The American Translators Association (ATA) offers a respected voluntary certification exam per language pair. Court and medical interpreting have their own credentialing paths that vary by state and employer - confirm what your target setting expects.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
