To become an interpreter, you need to be fluent in English and at least one other language, then prove it: in the US most interpreters have a bachelor's degree and most states require certification for court interpreters, while in the UK you can take a degree, a community interpreting course or a professional qualification such as the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting. General certification isn't required, but specialist work in courts and health settings usually needs it.
Interpreters work with spoken or signed language in real time; translators work with written text. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics groups both in one occupation, but this guide is about interpreting. Here's what BLS and the National Careers Service said when I read them on 26 October 2026.
Types of interpreting
| Type | What you do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous | Interpret while the speaker is still talking, often in pairs or small teams because it's tiring | Conferences, courts |
| Consecutive | Interpret after the speaker pauses, often taking notes | Meetings, interviews |
| Medical | Help patients communicate with doctors, nurses and staff, with strict confidentiality | Hospitals, clinics |
| Legal or court | Interpret at arraignments, depositions, hearings and trials, and sight-translate documents | Courts |
| Liaison or escort | Accompany visitors so they can communicate during their stay | Business and official visits |
The National Careers Service splits UK work into three main types. Conference interpreters sit in a soundproof booth and interpret through headphones as the speaker talks. Business interpreters attend meetings, make notes and relay what's said during pauses. Public service interpreters work for people using legal, health and local government services. Knowing which one you want early saves you from paying for the wrong course.
How to become an interpreter, step by step
- Get to full fluency in two languages. The National Careers Service says that means communicating quickly, smoothly and accurately, understanding slang and regional differences, and knowing the culture.
- Get the education. In the US, BLS says interpreters typically need a bachelor's degree, often in a foreign language, business or communications. In the UK, options include degrees in interpreting studies or modern languages, usually needing 2 to 3 A levels.
- Get experience. Volunteer as a community interpreter with councils, health services, legal advice centres or community groups. BLS also mentions hospitals and international sporting events.
- Choose a specialty. Court and medical interpreting are where certification matters most.
- Get certified for that specialty. In the US, most states require certification for court interpreters. In the UK, the Chartered Institute of Linguists offers the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting, including a law option for the justice system.
- Join a professional body. The National Careers Service lists the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, the Chartered Institute of Linguists, the International Association of Conference Interpreters and the National Register of Public Service Interpreters.
Where to get your first experience
Experience isn't typically required to enter the job, BLS says, but it helps a lot if you want to freelance. The National Careers Service lists places to volunteer as a community interpreter:
- local councils
- health and social services
- welfare rights organisations
- legal advice centres
- community organisations
BLS adds internships, where you might shadow an experienced interpreter in court or medical settings, and mentoring, either formal through a professional association or informal with a colleague. Volunteer hours also help you get onto higher-level community interpreting courses, which usually expect some experience.
Certification: what's required and what isn't
BLS is clear that general certification typically isn't required. The exceptions are where most of the paid specialist work is:
- US courts. Most states require certification for court interpreters, and federal courts certify interpreters in several languages, including Spanish, Navajo and Haitian Creole.
- US State Department. Its aptitude tests aren't a credential, but they're a required step to get on the roster for freelance assignments.
- UK public services. The Diploma in Public Service Interpreting is the qualification named by the National Careers Service for public service work, with a law route for the justice system.
The thing most people miss: your degree subject doesn't have to be languages. BLS says people who studied technical subjects such as engineering or medicine may be able to provide a higher level of interpreting, because they understand the content as well as the words.
Pay and outlook
BLS put the median wage for interpreters and translators at $60,170 a year in May 2025 ($28.93 an hour), as of October 2026. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,070 and the highest 10% more than $103,660. By industry:
| Industry (US, May 2025) | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Government | $74,320 |
| Hospitals | $63,000 |
| Educational services | $61,230 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $60,850 |
These figures exclude self-employed workers, and BLS says pay depends on the language, specialty, experience, education and certification. Employment is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than average, but with about 6,000 openings a year. In the UK, the National Careers Service lists pay and hours as variable, with freelance work common.
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What about AI translation?
Nearly all translators use software, BLS says, including computer-assisted translation tools that reuse previously translated segments. In my view, interpreting in a courtroom or hospital is still a human job with human accountability. If you're curious how the tools compare, read my comparison of DeepL vs Google Translate. And if legal interpreting appeals, how to become a paralegal shows you the other side of the courtroom.
My verdict
Fluency gets you started; a specialty gets you paid. If you're bilingual, start volunteering as a community interpreter now, pick courts or healthcare, and get the certification that specialty demands. Government work pays the highest median, so in the US, aim for state court certification early, and in the UK, the Diploma in Public Service Interpreting is the qualification to work toward.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be an interpreter?
In the US, BLS says interpreters typically need a bachelor's degree. In the UK, a degree is one route, but you can also take a community interpreting course or a professional qualification.
Do interpreters need to be certified?
General certification typically isn't required, but most US states require certification for court interpreters, and federal courts certify interpreters in several languages.
How much do interpreters make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median of $60,170 a year for interpreters and translators (May 2025 data), with government paying the highest median at $74,320.
What is the difference between an interpreter and a translator?
Interpreters work with spoken or signed language in real time, while translators work with written text. BLS groups them as one occupation.
