How long does professional translator training take in South Carolina?

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 South Carolina?

In South Carolina, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Apprenticeship South Carolina, 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 South Carolina (2026)

Q: How much do professional translators earn in South Carolina?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), professional translators in South Carolina earned a median annual wage of approximately $50,860. Employment concentration in South Carolina is roughly 0.68 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 South Carolina?

South Carolina currently employs approximately 520 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

South Carolina interpreters and translators earn a median annual wage of $50,860 ($24.45/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 520 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -15.5% below the national median of $60,170 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $50,860 ($24.45/hr)
25th percentile: $44,400 per year
75th percentile: $61,040 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,310 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $36,860 per year
Workers employed in South Carolina: 520
Versus national median: -15.5% below the U.S. median of $60,170
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.68 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Carolina than the national average

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

South Carolina employs about 520 professional translators earning a median $50,860 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most professional translators train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Carolina.

Key Facts

Median wage (South Carolina): $50,860/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in South Carolina: 520 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.68x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 1.7% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Professional Translator Schools in South Carolina

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	Johnston Community College	64.4	$2,756 - $11,230	$48,144	32%	Yes*	184 mi
2	Cape Fear Community College	57.9	Contact school for pricing	$48,346	Not reported	Yes*	164 mi
3	Surry Community College	57.7	Contact school for pricing	$43,856	Not reported	Yes*	183 mi
4	Blue Ridge Community College	57.3	Contact school for pricing	$40,879	Not reported	Yes*	145 mi
5	Alamance Community College	50.9	Contact school for pricing	$41,411	Not reported	Yes*	180 mi
6	Durham Technical Community College	49.8	Contact school for pricing	$57,868	40%	Yes*	188 mi
7	Central Georgia Technical College	46.5	Contact school for pricing	$42,979	44%	Yes*	188 mi
8	South Piedmont Community College	45.0	Contact school for pricing	$46,657	37%	Yes*	93 mi
9	Sampson Community College	40.5	Contact school for pricing	$43,410	55%	—	161 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.

South Carolina employs approximately 520 professional translators according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $50,860 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 South Carolina, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Professional Translator Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

Interpreters and Translators Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), interpreters and translators wages in South 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
Columbia	170	$52,200	$54,180	$41,340	$70,860
Greenville-Anderson-Greer	70	$47,370	$55,330	$37,820	$85,430
Spartanburg	60	$61,040	$64,280	$39,660	$112,310
Augusta-Richmond County	40	$48,820	$55,490	$34,050	$97,470
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal	40	$39,210	$42,690	$33,330	$49,650
Charleston-North Charleston	N/A	$64,550	$66,420	$40,670	$107,590

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 (South Carolina): $50,860 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Professional Translator in South Carolina

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

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 South Carolina? The median annual wage for professional translators in South Carolina is $50,860 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,860 and experienced professionals can earn $75,310 or more ¹.

How to Become a Professional Translator in South Carolina

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 520 professional translators ¹. Nationally, professional translator employment is projected to grow 1.7% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

How much do professional translators earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for professional translators in South Carolina is $50,860, which is $8,580 below the national median of $59,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Carolina

Best Trade Schools in South Carolina (2026)

Explore More Trades in South Carolina

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)