Occupational Profile

Translator

Translators convert written text from one language to another, conveying meaning as faithfully as possible.

Avg. Salary $64,905.00
Avg. Wage $32.17
Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary
Outlook N/A
In Demand Lower

Also Known As

Language Specialist

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

N/A

Average Wage

Starting

Overall

Top

Certification Not Regulated
Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

NOC & Interest Codes

The Translator is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Translators NOC 5125.1

Translators

NOC code: 5125.1

METHODICAL: Interest in transcribing text in formats such as memoranda, reports and letters using knowledge of grammar and terms employed in business, professional, technical and trade organizations
INNOVATIVE: Interest in analyzing information to produce translated documents that help readers understand the contents of original material; and in localizing software and accompanying technical documents to adapt them to another language and culture
directive: Interest in consulting with clients to determine the most appropriate adaptation of content from one language to another; may train and supervise other translators

Reading Interest Codes

A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn More

Duties

Updated Mar 31, 2016

Translators generally translate into their mother tongue. To meet tight deadlines they sometimes work in teams, each person translating a different part of the same text. This requires ensuring consistency of terminology and similarity of style through all revisions.

Freelance translators may work on a wide variety of documents such as:

international trade publications
news articles
books
industry manuals
legal documents
technical or scientific reports or articles
radio and television scripts
information related to entertainment, banking or medicine.

The process of translating from 1 language to another often includes:

researching the topic before beginning the actual translation
compiling terminology information
revising, editing and proofreading translated material.

Translators may use reference materials such as:

dictionaries, lexicons and glossaries
Internet search engines
computerized terminology banks and encyclopedias
general correspondence and reports
documents such as parallel texts
technical specifications
manuals and educational textbooks.

Working Conditions

Updated Mar 31, 2016

Translators may work long hours to meet deadlines or complete rush jobs.

Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Skills & Abilities

Updated Mar 31, 2016

Translators need the following characteristics:

inquisitiveness and an interest in researching information
the ability to pay close attention to detail for extended periods of time
adaptability
good interpersonal skills
a willingness to work long hours when required to meet deadlines.

They should enjoy transcribing and analyzing text, and determining the most appropriate adaptation from one language to another.

Educational Requirements

Updated Mar 31, 2016

Translators need the following knowledge and skills:

mastery of both source and target languages
excellent linguistic capabilities and writing skills
knowledge of current affairs
an understanding of the fundamentals of business, technology and law
knowledge of word processing, desktop publishing and spreadsheet programs
knowledge of the latest electronic resources for translators.

The recommended educational route is to earn an undergraduate degree in 1 or more languages, then complete a specialized program in translation. The best practical training for translators is to spend a considerable length of time living in the culture of the targeted language.

European standards for translators require at least 2 languages in addition to their mother tongue. Studying or living in Europe is excellent preparation for employment with international organizations.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Athabasca University

Bachelor of Arts - French

Concordia University of Edmonton

Bachelor of Arts 3 Yr - French

University of Alberta

University of Calgary

University of Lethbridge

For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.

In Canada, programs specifically in translation are offered by:

College Universitaire de St. Boniface in Winnipeg
Concordia University in Montreal
Glendon at York University in Toronto
Laurentian University in Sudbury
McGill University in Montreal
Simon Fraser University in Vancouver
Université Laval in Quebec City
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo.

Some international programs in translation are offered by distance education.

Certification through the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA) is recommended because it shows clients that translators have met national standards and are bound by a code of ethics. Candidates for ATIA membership must pass an exam administered by the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). Exams are held yearly in Edmonton and Calgary.

Employment & Advancement

Updated Mar 31, 2016

Translators may be employed full time or part time by, or work on a freelance basis for:

private translation firms and corporations
schools
federal and provincial governments.

Translators also may work as terminologists or revisers. Some freelance translators work for clients in other parts of the world via electronic communications. Advancement generally takes the form of building a more extensive client base.

Translators are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 5125: Translators, terminologists and interpreters. In Alberta, 78% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

the translator's combination of languages
trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
location in Alberta
employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
size of the occupation.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Wage & Salary

Updated Mar 31, 2016

Freelance translators work on a contract basis on specific projects and may be paid by the word. Annual incomes therefore vary from 1 translator to another and may vary from 1 year to another.

Translators, terminologists and interpreters NOC 5125

Translators, terminologists and interpreters

NOC code: 5125

Survey Methodology

Survey Analysis

Overall Wage Details

Average Wage

Average Salary

Hours Per Week

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees

Low
High
Average
Median

Starting

Overall

Top

Wages*	Low (5th percentile)	High (95th percentile)	Average	Median
Starting	$30.00	$33.76	$30.21	$30.00
Overall	$31.11	$41.71	$32.17	$31.11
Top	$35.00	$42.79	$35.77	$35.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

C: Lower Reliability

Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Industry Information

Public Administration

ALBERTA, ALL INDUSTRIES

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years

N/A

Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties

N/A

Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months

N/A

2015 Vacancy Rate

N/A

Related High School Subjects

English Language Arts
Languages (other than English)
Science
Social Studies