How Much Do Translators Get Paid Per Word?

Translators get paid per word

The translation is an extensive and hectic job. The latest wave of globalization and localization has increased the demand for translators and translation experts. There are projects and project managers who look for translators for freelancing. They pay translators per word.

Important factors that help in deciding

There are some factors that decide the translation rate per word. These decide what to charge from freelancer translators.

• Language combination
• Level of experience
• Complexity of Project 

However, writers often charge flat fees as well as on a per-word basis. A writer who charges a flat $100 for 500 words, makes the writer’s rate $0.20 per word. 

Similarly, interpreters and voice-over artists can charge as per words that they speak. For instance, the 1000-word project gets recorded in 6 or 7 minutes and interpreters could charge a flat fee.

It is also important to take note that there are particular languages that are quite popular and have a few translators. That makes them rare and they get highly paid. Per word rate of translation is a fee that a translator charges for the words he translates for a particular project.

Variations in translator rates

As per the statistics shared by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, translators used to have yearly wages of $49,930 in the year 2018. 

It was unless the translators who freelance and work for several companies could increase their annual wages. Earning through translation keeps on fluctuating and varies as per demand every year.

Agencies and translators set their prices and terms and conditions as per their requirements. However, an average rate is about 10 to 20 cents, also depending upon the type of document and complexity of content it contains.

Rates also vary with the language pairs and combinations, amount of work, subject matter, and deadline. 

Many times, companies literally expect to have translations within hours, in that case, translators ask for more money to cater to the urgency. The charges for rush translations are around 15-25 cents per word.

Translation also includes the revision and editing rates that are around 3-7 cents per word. Translators many times charge per hour as well. The per-hour rate is between $35-$60.

If work comes for revision, translators prefer to charge by the hour and rates vary between 30-50$ per hour. Rates further depend on the availability as well. Weekdays rates are less as compared to weekend rates. Translators charge more for working on weekends in order to meet the deadline. 

Conclusion 

Translators get paid differently in different regions of the world. They get paid per word as well as per hour. Companies and translators decide these as per their terms and conditions. 

The charges mainly depend on their expertise, subject matter, and ability to handle the translation well. There are a few language pairs that are more popular, and their translators get paid higher as compared to others.