Interpreter, healthcare salary

Salary and Working Conditions for Healthcare Interpreter

As a healthcare interpreter, you play a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the right information and care. The profession involves translating and interpreting medical information between patients and healthcare professionals, often in critical situations. This requires a high level of language competence and specialized knowledge in medical terms.

Average Salary for Healthcare Interpreter

The average salary for a healthcare interpreter is 33 500 Swedish kronor per month. Men earn an average of 32 000 kronor while women earn 34 000 kronor, meaning that women earn 106% of what men do in this profession. The salary development has been positive with an increase from 34 700 kronor since last year.

Salary Range

The highest salary for a healthcare interpreter is 44,700 kronor, belonging to a man working in the public sector with a research education. For a woman, the highest salary is 44,200 kronor. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 30,600 kronor, belonging to a person working in the state sector with a 3-year high school education. For men, the lowest salary is 31,500 kronor.

Education and Qualifications

To work as a healthcare interpreter, a formal education in interpretation and translation is often required, preferably with a focus on medical terms. An academic background in linguistics, translation, or language studies is common. Many employers also value certifications and practical experience in healthcare interpreting.

Prerequisites for Getting a Job

The job market for healthcare interpreters can vary depending on the region and demand for specific language combinations. According to the Employment Service, no specific assessment is made for this profession due to limited data, but it is always an advantage to have several years of experience and specialization in medical interpretation.

Tasks and Responsibilities

As a healthcare interpreter, you translate oral communication between healthcare professionals and patients who do not speak Swedish. This can include everything from patient interviews to medical instructions and treatment plans. It is also important for the interpreter to be well-versed in cultural differences that may affect communication.

Key Aspects to Consider

In addition to language competence and medical terminology, it is important to have a professional approach and be able to handle stressful and emotionally demanding situations. Ethics and confidentiality are also central aspects of the profession.