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Military Interpreters and Translators

Military Career

General Information

Description

Interpreters and translators are responsible for training military personnel in foreign language familiarization and foreign cultural awareness. They perform written translations and they identify, translate, and summarize communications. They utilize foreign language skills, including knowledge of grammar and vocabulary, to collect and analyze intelligence information.

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Work Environment

Interpreters and translators normally work on military bases, aboard ships, or in airplanes.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Education & Training

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Interpreters and Translators in the Military

2,720

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Salary

Average Salary

$82,183

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 54%
  • Master's degree 27%
  • High school 8%
  • Associate's degree 4%
  • Post-master's certificate 3%
  • Post-secondary certificate 1%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Interpreters and translators in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Training length varies depending on specialty; longer training is necessary for specialties that do not require foreign language fluency prior to entry. Job-specific training content may include: Interrogation methodsUse and care of communications equipmentProcedures for preparing reportsCultural awareness

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Interpreters and translators in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Training length varies depending on specialty; longer training is necessary for specialties that do not require foreign language fluency prior to entry. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Interrogation methods
  • Use and care of communications equipment
  • Procedures for preparing reports
  • Cultural awareness

Knowledge

  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • Education and Training

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.