How long does professional translator training take in Maryland?

Most paths into the professional translator field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What apprenticeships are available for professional translators in Maryland?

In Maryland, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Professional Translator in Maryland (2026)

Q: How much do professional translators earn in Maryland?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), professional translators in Maryland earned a median annual wage of approximately $88,550. Employment concentration in Maryland is about 1.24 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Maryland currently employs approximately 1,150 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

Maryland interpreters and translators earn a median annual wage of $88,550 ($42.57/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,150 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 47.2% above the national median of $60,170 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $88,550 ($42.57/hr)
25th percentile: $63,270 per year
75th percentile: $102,750 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $120,900 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $51,660 per year
Workers employed in Maryland: 1,150
Versus national median: 47.2% above the U.S. median of $60,170
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.24 - this occupation is more concentrated in Maryland than the national average

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

Maryland employs about 1,150 professional translators earning a median $88,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most professional translators train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Maryland.

Key Facts

Median wage (Maryland): $88,550/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Maryland: 1,150 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.24x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 1.7% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Professional Translator Schools in Maryland

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 the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College	60.0	Contact school for pricing	$46,157	25%	Yes*	199 mi
2	Lackawanna College	58.2	Contact school for pricing	$45,609	37%	Yes*	173 mi
3	UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey	58.1	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	Not reported	Yes*	184 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location 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.

Maryland employs approximately 1,150 professional translators according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $88,550 ¹. The state’s concentration of professional translator jobs is 1.24x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Maryland, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Professional Translator Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

Interpreters and Translators Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	1,630	$94,510	$93,460	$56,920	$136,150
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington	770	$57,940	$66,770	$39,210	$106,040
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson	370	$83,200	$85,220	$54,240	$120,800
Hagerstown-Martinsburg	50	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

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 .

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Maryland): $88,550 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Professional Translator in Maryland

How to become a professional translator in Maryland? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for professional translators in Maryland.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do professional translators earn in Maryland? The median annual wage for professional translators in Maryland is $88,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $51,660 and experienced professionals can earn $120,900 or more ¹.

How to Become a Professional Translator in Maryland

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maryland training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Maryland that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to professional translators in Maryland before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for professional translators in Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 1,150 professional translators ¹. Nationally, professional translator employment is projected to grow 1.7% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Maryland.

How much do professional translators earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for professional translators in Maryland is $88,550, which is $29,110 above the national median of $59,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In Maryland

Best Trade Schools in Maryland (2026)

Explore More Trades in Maryland

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)