Career outlook for translator
Average UK salary
£35,360
Currently employed in Scotland
7,600
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.
What's it like?
You would convert the written word from one language into another without changing the meaning or tone.
You could work on a number of subjects, or specialise in a particular area, such as:
- Scientific, technical or commercial material like reports, manuals and brochures
- Legal documents, such as contracts
- Literary work, such as novels, plays and poetry
- Media work, such as film scripts and subtitles for films
- Educational resources, such as textbooks, e-books and apps
- Online content, such as e-commerce, interactive platforms, business to business websites and blogs
You would:
- Reproduce the text clearly, accurately and in the original style
- Use specialist knowledge, such as technical terms
- Research legal, technical or scientific terms and consult with experts to check accuracy
- Match the culture of the target audience
In large companies you may edit rough translations created using computers. You may also use other types of translation software.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
36%
Part-time
11%
Self employed
53%
Create a qualification route
We've found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeSearch course options
Thinking about your future? There are lots of courses available that could interest you. Use our course search to explore course options.
Find coursesSearch job opportunities
If you're looking for your new career our job search can help you. Discover interesting opportunities and decide your next steps.
Find a jobTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Developing a plan
- Attention to detail
- Recalling
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Researching
- Observation
- Problem solving
Skills Explorer
Your skills can help you choose the career that's right for you. You can build your skills through work, study or activities you do in your spare time.
Our Skills Explorer tool will help you understand what skills you have and match them to jobs that might suit you.
Use the Skills Explorer toolGetting in
Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Qualifications
You do not always need a Higher in each language, as long as you can show good language ability.
Entry to a postgraduate diploma, PgDip, (SCQF level 11) in Translating requires a relevant degree.
Useful subjects
- English (required by many courses)
- Maths (required by many courses)
- Modern languages (required by many courses)
- Science
- Business
- Social studies
You will also need
To enter this career you must be fluent in at least one other language but some roles require fluency in two or more languages.
Helpful to have
Qualifications and experience that demonstrate the application of linguistic skills such as SQA Modern Language for Life and Work Award (SCQF Level 3/4).
The Chartered Institute of Linguists' Diploma in Translation (DipTrans) is valued within the industry.
Once qualified membership of The Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) may be helpful.