Do professional translators need a license in Hawaii?

No statewide license is required for professional translators in Hawaii. See the licensing section above for the credential path.

How to Become a Professional Translator in Hawaii (2026)

Q: How long does professional translator training take in Hawaii?

Most people become a Professional Translator in Hawaii through language training plus a portfolio or optional translator certificate; most states do not license translators. Court interpreter credentials are a different path.

Q: How much do professional translators earn in Hawaii?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), professional translators in Hawaii earned a median annual wage of approximately $42,270. Employment concentration in Hawaii is roughly 0.30 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for professional translators in Hawaii?

Hawaii currently employs approximately 60 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1.7% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Hawaii interpreters and translators earn a median annual wage of $42,270 ($20.32/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 60 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -29.7% below the national median of $60,170 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $42,270 ($20.32/hr)
25th percentile: $39,810 per year
75th percentile: $64,400 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $92,150 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $36,910 per year
Workers employed in Hawaii: 60
Versus national median: -29.7% below the U.S. median of $60,170
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.30 - this occupation is less concentrated in Hawaii than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.

Hawaii employs about 60 professional translators earning a median $42,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Professional Translator here means completing language training plus a portfolio or optional translator certificate; most states do not license translators. Court interpreter credentials are a different path.

Hawaii employs approximately 60 professional translators according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,270 ¹. Nationally, professional translator employment is projected to grow 1.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Professional Translator in Hawaii, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: language study, short translator course, or portfolio work (find programs)
Typical timeline: language training plus a portfolio or optional translator certificate; most states do not license translators. Court interpreter credentials are a different path
Median wage (Hawaii): $42,270 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Professional Translator in Hawaii

How to become a Professional Translator in Hawaii? Complete language training plus a portfolio or optional translator certificate; most states do not license translators. Court interpreter credentials are a different path. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish language training plus a portfolio or optional translator certificate; most states do not license translators. Court interpreter credentials are a different path. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Hawaii path.

What do professional translators earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for professional translators in Hawaii is $42,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,910 and experienced professionals can earn $92,150 or more ¹.

How to Become a Professional Translator in Hawaii

Build language and translation skill. Complete a short translator course or assemble a translation portfolio. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Optional translator credentials. A translator certificate can help hiring. It is not a statewide occupational license.
Do not treat court interpreting as this path. State court-interpreter credentials are a different occupation. Most states do not license translators. Do not apply to a licensing board for a translator license that does not exist.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Professional Translator License Requirements in Hawaii

Most states do not license translators. The path is language skill, a portfolio, and optional translator certificates. Court interpreter credentials are a different occupation.

Typical path

Build language and translation skill.
Optional translator certificates.
Do not apply for a court-interpreter license as the translator path.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Professional Translator Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Interpreters and Translators Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), interpreters and translators wages in Hawaii vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu	50	$40,690	$55,160	$36,790	$92,150

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for professional translators in Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 60 professional translators ¹. Nationally, professional translator employment is projected to grow 1.7% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Hawaii? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Hawaii.

How much do professional translators earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for professional translators in Hawaii is $42,270, which is $17,170 below the national median of $59,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Hawaii

Best Trade Schools in Hawaii (2026)

Explore More Trades in Hawaii

Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)