JOB REPORT / 27-3091 · 17 TASKS

Interpreters and Translators.

Can AI do the work of Interpreters and Translators?

Mostly it works alongside you. Here is what shifts, task by task.

YOUR EXPERIENCE MATTERS

How does this fit your work?

How many tasks do you use AI to assist with at work?

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The mark shows what’s typical for this job.

The parts of your job AI can already do most of:

Refer to reference materials
Compile information on content and context of information…
Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings…

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A guided certificate program in AI-assisted Interpreters and Translators work. It covers the 16 AI-affected parts of your job and ends in a capstone a person reviews.

WHAT WE LOOKED AT

Your job, task by task.

16 of 17 tasks reviewed

This job has 17 core tasks. We went through 16 of them, one at a time.

Task by task, from the work Interpreters and Translators actually do. How we describe AI use in each task is our own read of it, not a measurement of whether AI can replace the job.

TASK 01
Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
AI DOES
Searches and suggests terms from dictionaries, glossaries, and terminology banks in seconds
YOU DO
Judge which term best fits the subject, audience, and cultural meaning
TASK 02
Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.
AI DOES
Searches sources, summarizes context, and drafts audience profiles
YOU DO
Judge which cultural and contextual details truly matter for this audience
TASK 03
Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
AI DOES
Suggests alternate word choices, flags ambiguous terms, and pulls up reference materials fast
YOU DO
Apply cultural knowledge and context to pick the meaning that truly fits the situation
TASK 04
Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.
AI DOES
Drafts handouts, slide decks, FAQs, and plain-language explainers about interpreter roles
YOU DO
Show up in person, answer live questions, and build trust with real people in the school community
TASK 05
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
AI DOES
Transcribes speech and drafts word-for-word translations quickly
YOU DO
Catch tone, emotion, and cultural meaning that words alone don't carry
TASK 06SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.
AI DOES
Translates text between languages in seconds
YOU DO
Ensure tone, context, and meaning stay true
About this analysis
67% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 07
Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided.
AI DOES
Drafts intake questions, summarizes project scope, and suggests fee structures based on common rates
YOU DO
Read the client's tone, negotiate fairly, and build trust in the relationship
TASK 08
Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.
AI DOES
Generates practice exercises, example translations, and feedback on common errors
YOU DO
Build mentoring relationships and judge readiness for real work
TASK 09SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
AI DOES
Translates text and suggests grade-appropriate vocabulary
YOU DO
Judge what students actually understand
About this analysis
59% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 10SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.
AI DOES
Catches grammar errors and suggests word changes
YOU DO
Judge tone, context, and cultural meaning
About this analysis
55% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 11SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
AI DOES
Translates text and speech in real-time
YOU DO
Preserve nuance, culture, and context
About this analysis
54% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 12SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
AI DOES
Flags potential privacy risks in documents
YOU DO
Make the final call on disclosure
About this analysis
35% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 13SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
AI DOES
Flags inconsistencies and suggests standard translations
YOU DO
Judge context and approve final choices
About this analysis
20% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 14SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.
AI DOES
Flags potential meaning shifts and tone changes
YOU DO
Judge cultural nuance and author intent
About this analysis
20% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 15SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
AI DOES
Extracts and organizes technical terms from source texts
YOU DO
Judge which terms matter for context
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium
TASK 16SOURCE-BACKED TASK
Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.
AI DOES
Translates text and suggests cultural adaptations
YOU DO
Ensure meaning fits the local context
About this analysis
0% · Methodology: exposure-v1 · Analysis date: unavailable · Confidence: medium

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AT A GLANCE

Occupation: Interpreters and Translators
SOC code: 27-3091
Tasks reviewed: 16 of 17

How we assess

PAY & OUTLOOK

Compare pay by state

Median pay (national): $60,170 · BLS OEWS 2025
Median pay (Colorado): $71,790 · BLS OEWS 2025
Employed (national): 52,060
Employed in Colorado: 800
Job outlook: +1.7% by 2034 · ~6,900 openings/yr

Wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. National figures cover the United States. Job outlook is national.

How does this fit your work?

Earn a certificate in your job

Your job, task by task.

Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.

Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.

Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.

Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.

Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.

Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.

Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided.

Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.

Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.

Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.

Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.

Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.

Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.

Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.

Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.

Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.

Practice AI.Use your judgment.

Practice AI.
Use your judgment.