Sign language interpreter salary

Salary and Work for Sign Language Interpreters

Working as a sign language interpreter involves translating spoken language into sign language and vice versa. It can involve interpreting during meetings, lectures, medical appointments, or other situations where communication is needed between hearing and deaf individuals. Sign language interpreters are part of the professional group Translators, Interpreters, and Linguists, among others.

Salary Statistics for Sign Language Interpreters

The average salary for a sign language interpreter is 33 500 SEK per month. There is a slight wage gap between men and women in the profession; men earn an average of 32 000 SEK while women earn 34 000 SEK. This means that women earn approximately 106% of what men do in this profession. The highest salary for a sign language interpreter is 44,700 SEK and belongs to a man in the public sector with a doctoral degree. Similarly, the highest salary for a woman in the same profession is 44,200 SEK. On the other hand, the lowest salary for a sign language interpreter is 30,600 SEK for a woman with a high school education in the state sector, while the lowest salary for a man in the same profession is 31,500 SEK.

Salary Development

The average salary for sign language interpreters has increased from 34 700 SEK to 33 500 SEK since the last measurement, indicating a positive salary development in the profession.

Education and Qualifications

To become a sign language interpreter, it is required to undergo specific training in sign language and interpretation. In Sweden, there are both university programs and folk high school programs that offer programs to become a sign language interpreter. The education includes both theoretical and practical components and provides knowledge in sign language as well as interpretation techniques.

Job Market and Prospects

The Swedish Public Employment Service has not been able to make an exact assessment of the job prospects for sign language interpreters due to limited data. The profession is part of the broader professional group Translators, Interpreters, and Linguists, among others, which makes specific forecasts for sign language interpreters difficult to determine. However, it is known that the need for qualified sign language interpreters is constant, indicating relatively stable job opportunities.

Advantages and Challenges

Working as a sign language interpreter can be very rewarding as one often makes a significant difference for the individuals being interpreted for. It is a profession that requires high concentration and an ability to quickly translate and interpret between two languages. Benefits may include paid further education and sometimes access to technical aids such as mobile phones and computers.

Conclusion

Being a sign language interpreter is a profession with good salary prospects and opportunities for personal development. Although job market forecasts are uncertain, the positive salary development and the constant need point to a stable job market for the profession. If you have a passion for language and communication, this could be a very rewarding career choice.