Salary Comparison Between State-certified and Nationally Certified Sign Language Interpreters

Salary Comparison: State-Certified vs. Nationally Certified ASL Interpreters

Certification Level	Average Annual Salary	Hourly Rate	Typical Work Settings
State-Certified Interpreter	$35,000 – $55,000	$18 – $30/hr	K-12 education, local community events, basic medical or social services
Nationally Certified Interpreter (RID)	$60,000 – $90,000+	$30 – $60+/hr	Legal, medical, postsecondary education, government contracts, high-stakes interpreting

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State-Certified Interpreter (e.g., EIPA, BEI)

 Salary Range:

• Entry-level interpreters (e.g., EIPA 3.5–4.0) often earn $35,000 – $45,000/year
• More experienced interpreters with high state scores can earn up to $55,000/year

 Work Type:

• Often work in schools or local settings
• Typically W-2 employees with school districts or agencies
• May have limited opportunities for advancement without national credentials

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 Nationally Certified Interpreter (RID NIC, CDI, SC:L)

 Salary Range:

• Average is $60,000 – $75,000/year
• Experienced or specialized interpreters (legal, medical) may exceed $90,000+/year
• Freelancers or agency contractors with high-demand certifications often earn $60/hr or more

 Work Type:

• Frequently work in high-stakes environments
• Greater access to remote interpreting, federal contracts, and specialty work
• Many work as independent contractors, offering flexibility and higher pay per hour

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Key Takeaways

• State-certified interpreters typically earn less due to limited credential recognition and more restricted job markets.
• National certification opens doors to more lucrative and specialized interpreting jobs, especially in legal, healthcare, and federal sectors.
• Freelance or contract interpreting (often available to nationally certified interpreters) may yield significantly higher hourly pay, though without traditional employee benefits.