How to Make Great Money as a Freelance Translator

If you can read and write in more than one language or grew up in a bilingual household, doing freelance translation work might be the ideal side gig you’ve been looking for. Translating is a side hustle with low startup costs, and it could even grow into a full-time career or business.

Translation offers plenty of opportunities in a variety of industries. The legal and medical fields obviously need translators, but plenty of other opportunities exist. Companies that want to expand into new markets and businesses with diverse customer bases also need translators.

Translation Jobs vs. Interpreting Jobs

People often use translator and interpreter interchangeably, but they’re different. Translators work in writing, while interpreters translate orally or via sign language. The difference goes far beyond written versus oral, though.

Interpreting requires a different set of skills. Interpreters must be able to listen, understand, and immediately paraphrase what they just heard in the target language. They usually also have to be physically present.

If you’re looking for a side hustle or a career that allows you to work from home, becoming a freelance translator offers the freedom that being an interpreter doesn’t.

Language Pairs

Language pairs consist of a source language and a target language. Translators work in language pairs. To start, pick the two languages you know best. Ensure your resume and any professional profiles you create state the language pairs you’re qualified to work in.

Not all language pairs are created equally regarding supply, demand, and pay. The language pair or pairs you work in go a long way toward determining your earning potential. There might be a lot of demand for English to Spanish, but the supply is also very high. Spanish and French translators face a lot of competition, but there are also a lot of opportunities.

Conversely, the pay rate posted for an English-to-Hmong job might be higher than a similar English-to-Italian project. Still, the regular work available won’t be enough to provide a steady income.

Highest Paying Language Pairs

The highest-paying language pairs usually share these characteristics:

• A lot of business takes place between countries that speak the two languages
• There are relatively few people knowledgeable enough in both languages
• The average salary in most countries using each language is high

Some examples of high-paying language pairs:

• English to Arabic
• English to Danish
• English to Chinese
• Japanese to English
• Finnish to English
• German to English

Whether you work in a high-paying language pair or not, specializing in a specific field or industry leads to less competition and higher earnings.

Specializing in a Niche

Being a subject matter expert and bilingual is potentially more lucrative than being a general translator, regardless of language pair.

Besides being fluent in another language, these types of specialized translation projects pay more if you have a background in finance, law, health care, or I.T.. Here are some areas of focus that are always in demand and pay well:

• Business and Finance – With big multinational corporations and e-commerce enabling companies to reach customers worldwide, opportunities for translators abound. If you have a business background, in addition to your ability to speak multiple languages, you can make money translating financial documents, marketing materials, reports, and other communications.
• Legal – Legal translation is more difficult because of the differences in legal systems from country to country. Strong knowledge of legal terms in both the source and target languages and an understanding of the laws themselves are required. Some countries have strict rules and regulations for legal translators, so additional certifications and licensing may be required.
• Medical—Medical translators work with forms, research papers, journal articles, study protocols, product packaging, and other written materials for the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The work requires total accuracy and precise word choices, as the stakes are high.
• Technical—As a technical translator, you may translate software documentation, technical manuals, repair guides, instruction sheets, and any scientific or technological written matter. In addition to language mastery and subject matter expertise, you might be expected to simplify the translation so that non-technical people using the target language can understand the material.
• Literary – Literary translation is among the most challenging types of translation work. It goes beyond translating each line of text in a novel, poem, or other work of fiction. Artistic intent, themes, wordplay, and meaning can get lost in translation.

Becoming a specialist translator usually involves a degree in one of the above areas, industry work experience, and advanced language skills.

Education and Certification for Translators

For the most part, there are no education or certification requirements to make money as a freelance translator. Degree and certificate programs in translation are available, though, and they help. Being certified could be the difference between having your bid accepted and watching a job go to someone else with formal certification.

For example, an American Translators Association certification gives you instant credibility. So you can command higher rates as a certified translator in a specific language pair.

In addition to ATA certifications, many colleges offer certificate or degree programs in translation. Some are delivered online, while others have both online and on-campus courses. Here are some programs to investigate if you’d like to pursue formal study in translation:

• American University – American University in Washington, D.C., offers French, German, Russian, and Spanish translation certificates. The programs focus on translating into English.
• Florida International University – FIU offers a translation and interpretation program you can complete online. Students must be bilingual in English and Spanish to enter the program.
• University of Massachusetts—UMass offers an online Bachelor’s degree program in translation and interpreting. They also offer an online certificate in professional translation and interpreting.
• University of Arizona—The University of Arizona offers multiple online certificate programs for Spanish-to-English translation, including general, legal, and medical translation.
• New York University – NYU offers an M.S. in Translation you can pursue online. There are specific tracks for Chinese, French, and Spanish, with courses available in Financial, Legal, and Literary translation.

Applying for Freelance Translation Jobs Online

Most of the online translation jobs you see posted will attract multiple bidders or applicants. To win the job, you must stand out.

Any professional profiles you create on freelance websites or LinkedIn should include your background, experience, and education. Profiles can be dull, so try to inject some personality with your summary statement or objective to capture attention.

You can start a blog or website to post sample translations, client testimonials, and links to completed projects. Link to your site from every professional profile you create. You can also network in LinkedIn groups or online forums for language professionals like TranslatorsCafe and Proz.

When you’re bidding on a project:

• Include your per-word rate
• Highlight your experience
• Mention any degrees or certifications you hold
• Explain how your education, work history, and areas of expertise line up with the project

Consider taking smaller jobs and accepting lower rates at first. You’ll gain experience and references you can leverage later for higher rates.

How Much Does a Freelance Translator Make?

Pay rates for translation jobs vary based on language pair, type of translation needed, and competition. Depending on the project and the client, you might get paid per word, hourly, or a flat rate.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the median pay for interpreters and translators at $51,830 per year or $24.92 per hour as of 2019.

You can see how much money freelance translators make on ProZ’s rates page and the translation rates statistics page at TranslatorsCafe.

Where to Find Freelance Translator Jobs

Several sites can help you find work as a freelance translator. The best websites for translators post several paid projects and positions, with new ones coming in almost daily.

If you’re just starting out, competing with the more experienced translators you’ll be bidding against will be difficult. Early on, focus on building your portfolio, gaining experience, and making clients happy to provide references.

Networking and cold outreach can be good ways to land your first gig.

For example, you might spot a local business that could benefit from having its marketing materials translated into Spanish.

Or you could contact the owners of websites you frequent to see if they need help to reach audiences in other languages. Travel websites, review sites, and software companies are good candidates for outreach.

46 Websites to Help You Find Freelance Translator Jobs

Whether you want to build your portfolio or find high-paying translation work, these websites will help you get started. This list includes job boards, freelancing sites, and companies that provide translation services.

All have remote translation jobs available. Some have in-house positions, too, in case you’re interested in more steady work.

Freelance Job Sites

The jobs you’ll usually see posted on these websites and gig economy platforms are mostly one-time projects, but some can lead to steady work. You’ll be able to post a profile to attract clients.

Clickworker

The translation work being offered on Clickworker is of the shorter variety. You might translate blog posts, product descriptions, or instructions. European languages, from what I’ve seen.

Fiverr

Fiverr is different because it’s more of a marketplace for selling your services. Don’t let the name fool you, though. You can charge more than $5 for your work.

Freelancer

Sign up, create a profile, and start bidding for jobs. Competition is stiff on this site. Some pay rates aren’t great, but you can take on smaller projects to build your profile.

PeoplePerHour

You must apply to join PPH as a freelancer. Once approved, you can set up your profile and bid on up to fifteen projects a month for free. You can buy credits if you want to bid on more.

ServiceScape

You do not bid on projects at ServiceScape. Instead, you split translation fees with ServiceScape. They pay freelancers once a month.

TRADUguide

A platform that connects translators with clients looking for bids on translation work. Offers a limited free membership and a paid ($120) annual membership for more exposure and priority access to projects.

Translation Directory

The website is messy, but translation gigs are posted regularly and cover many language pairs. You can register and set up a profile to get started.

Upwork

Probably the best-known and most-used freelancer website, Upwork has many projects ranging from entry-level to expert-level. Short-term and long-term opportunities are also available.

Job Boards

Job boards offer a mix of contract opportunities and staff positions. Two on this list are specific to language jobs. The others are general job boards where translation jobs occasionally appear.

Flex Jobs

A job search site that has remote translation jobs available. Most are long-term, contract positions.

Indeed

While Indeed.com won’t win any design awards, online translation jobs are available. You can also sign up for alerts and receive an email when new jobs that meet your criteria are posted.

ProZ

Online community of language professionals with over a million members. Their job board is busy and highly competitive.

Remote.co

As the name suggests, it only accepts job postings from companies seeking remote workers. Although you probably won’t find translation job listings daily, the website is worth checking.

TranslatorsCafe

TranslatorsCafe.com is another massive community of language pros with discussion forums, articles, a directory, and a job board.

Translation Service Providers

Translation agencies offer translation services and often use freelance translators extensively to get the work done. Some specialize in a specific industry like legal or medical or focus mainly on a particular language or languages. Others are more general and offer translations of any document, audio, video, website, or text in almost any language.

Aberdeen Broadcast Services

Offers translation, subtitling, and voice dubbing services for different media. They’re not always hiring but monitor their Careers page for remote work opportunities.

Acclaro

Translation agency always looking for experienced freelance translators for projects translating European and Asian languages.

American High-Tech Transcription

Transcription is their primary service, but they also offer translation services. They are looking for Spanish translators with a legal background to work as independent contractors.

Andovar

Localization and translation services provider with offices around the world. Hires freelancers with language ability and familiarity with CAT tools.

DailyTranslate

A translation company that provides language-related services, including translation for businesses in several fields. Check out their Careers page for translator jobs.

Day Translations

Offers translation services to companies in any industry. Their projects include books, corporate documents, websites, medical reports, and more. They always need freelancers.

Gengo

It provides a steady supply of all types of translation work. Once you sign up, you must pass a two-part test to be approved to work.

GetYourGuide

A travel website aimed at helping users book tours and activities around the world. They sometimes have freelance translator positions available for Japanese and European language translators.

iTi

Interpreters and Translators, Inc. hires interpreters and translators for several languages. Entry-level translator jobs are available.

Languages Unlimited

Provides several language services, including document translation, website translation, transcription, and more. They regularly recruit translators and interpreters.

Lingosaur

An online translation agency with a simple interface allows customers to upload documents for translation. You’ll receive emails with the latest jobs after you sign up and pass their test.

Linguistic Systems, Inc.

Translation services company that requires two years of translation experience, a bachelor’s degree, and you must be familiar with translation software.

Lionbridge

Lionbridge provides translation and localization services to international clients. They help with many products, websites, and written materials.

MotaWord

Register as a translator to get email invitations to work on projects. You can work as much as you want, whenever you want. The company also has a mobile app you can use to track your activity and get notified when work is available.

Multilingual Connections

A translation service company that hires freelancers to work from home. You can choose which projects to accept and work on whenever as long as you hit your deadlines. You get paid per project.

OneHourTranslation.com

A large translation agency with steady work in many language pairs. Sign up, create your profile, and take their proficiency test. They rank and rate translators based on the number of words translated and other factors.

Prestige Network

Provide translation services to legal, healthcare, education, and tech companies. They also translate websites and marketing materials.

Quill Content

Produces multi-language content for e-commerce businesses. To work on a particular project, you must pass a screening test for consideration and project-specific tests.

Responsive Translation

Provides translation services for clinical trials, medical devices, and test publishers. Seeks contractors for translation work, including post-machine translation editing.

Rev

Rev provides transcription, translation, and captioning for media companies and other businesses. Document translation and video subtitling work are also available. Pays weekly via PayPal.

SDL

A computer-assisted translation software maker that provides localization services to the I.T., multimedia, e-commerce, and engineering industries is always looking for freelance translators to join its team.

Tethras

This company specializes in translating and localizing mobile apps. Translators will need to be tech-savvy.

TextMaster

The company has big clients across a wide range of industries. Including your interests and areas of expertise when registering will help them determine what projects suit you best.

Translate.com

Much of the work offered on Translate.com involves correcting or editing machine-translation output. It’s not the most lucrative, but the work is steady for some language pairs.

Translated.com

Translated.com is always looking for freelance translators to handle its high volume of work. You can set your rates and take advantage of their ongoing free educational programs.

Transparent Language

This language-learning software company hires freelance translators with at least a year of experience. It also has opportunities for bilingual content creators and proofreaders.

TransPerfect

Provides translation and other services to multinational companies. It has offices worldwide and jobs for interpreters, translators, and other language professionals, some of which are work-from-home positions.

Ulatus

A global translation company that hires professional translators qualified to translate in various specialties, including legal, medical, high tech, finance, and more.

Unababel

Another site where you edit machine-translated text. Most of it is short, user-generated content like emails, blog comments, customer support requests, and product reviews.

USA Translations

They are always looking for freelance translators in English and several other languages.

Verbal Ink

It is primarily a transcription service provider but also provides translation services. Email them a cover letter and resume to see if any opportunities are available.

Verbalize It

Offers translation services for documents, websites, and audio or video files. They assign tasks to translators on a first-come-first-serve basis. They pay on the 15th and 30th via PayPal.

WorldLingo

WorldLingo has freelance translator positions available for generalist and specialist translators with 2-5 years of experience.