How to Become a Professional Translator in North Carolina (2026)
North Carolina employs about 1,780 professional translators earning a median $50,030 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.
Compare Professional Translator Schools in North Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnston Community College | 64.4 | $2,756 in-state / $8,900 out-of-state | $48,144 | 37% | Yes* | 80 mi |
| 2 | Cape Fear Community College | 57.9 | $2,748 in-state / $8,892 out-of-state | $48,346 | 34% | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 3 | Surry Community College | 57.7 | $2,668 in-state / $8,812 out-of-state | $43,856 | 6% | Yes* | 84 mi |
| 4 | Blue Ridge Community College | 57.3 | $2,660 in-state / $8,804 out-of-state | $40,879 | 50% | Yes* | 151 mi |
| 5 | Beaufort County Community College | 52.7 | $2,540 in-state / $8,684 out-of-state | $51,493 | 48% | Yes* | 157 mi |
| 6 | Wilson Community College | 52.1 | $2,572 in-state / $8,716 out-of-state | $48,262 | 27% | Yes* | 106 mi |
| 7 | Alamance Community College | 50.9 | $2,592 in-state / $8,736 out-of-state | $41,411 | 39% | Yes* | 48 mi |
| 8 | Durham Technical Community College | 49.8 | $1,986 in-state / $6,594 out-of-state | $57,868 | 45% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 9 | South Piedmont Community College | 45.0 | $2,022 in-state / $6,630 out-of-state | $46,657 | 38% | Yes* | 41 mi |
| 10 | Sampson Community College | 40.5 | $2,877 in-state / $9,789 out-of-state | $43,410 | 56% | — | 84 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.
North Carolina employs approximately 1,780 professional translators according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,030 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 North Carolina, 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 (North Carolina): $50,030 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Professional Translator in North Carolina
How to become a Professional Translator in North Carolina? 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 North Carolina? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the North Carolina path.
What do professional translators earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for professional translators in North Carolina is $50,030 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,510 and experienced professionals can earn $101,110 or more 1.
How to Become a Professional Translator in North Carolina
- 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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina
Interpreters and Translators Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), interpreters and translators wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 390 | $52,640 | $60,720 | $39,410 | $84,920 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 310 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Raleigh-Cary | 190 | $51,270 | $56,690 | $36,820 | $83,110 |
| Fayetteville | 160 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 140 | $51,990 | $57,680 | $38,900 | $84,960 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 130 | $43,470 | $47,850 | $32,280 | $78,660 |
| Winston-Salem | 100 | $49,350 | $50,370 | $36,460 | $62,340 |
| Asheville | 80 | $41,580 | $50,390 | $38,170 | $60,370 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 60 | $53,790 | $53,070 | $31,760 | $75,310 |
| Burlington | 50 | $38,720 | $45,750 | $31,740 | $79,200 |
| Greenville | 50 | $53,140 | $55,120 | $43,010 | $69,410 |
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 North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 1,780 professional translators 1. Nationally, professional translator employment is projected to grow 1.7% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Carolina.
How much do professional translators earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for professional translators in North Carolina is $50,030, which is $9,410 below the national median of $59,440 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |