Interpreters and Translators

Interpreters and Translators score 88 out of 100, which is very high exposure to AI. That ranks #15 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 17 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 15 on its own and 0 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 11 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

88/ 100

Very high

Rank: #15of 923 jobs
US workers: 52,060BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $60,170a year
In real AI use: 11 of 17tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 15 (88%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 0 (0%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 2 (12%)

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 can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Adapt software and accompanying technical documents to another language and culture.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Educate students, parents, staff, and teachers about the roles and functions of educational interpreters.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Train and supervise other translators or interpreters.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Read written materials, such as legal documents, scientific works, or news reports, and rewrite material into specified languages.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Discuss translation requirements with clients and determine any fees to be charged for services provided.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about interpreters and translators and AI

Will AI replace interpreters and translators?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Interpreters and Translators score 88 out of 100 (very high exposure), #15 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 15 of the job's 17 tasks, 15 of them on its own, while 2 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which interpreters and translators tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible"; "Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary"; "Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material".

Which interpreters and translators tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information"; "Travel with or guide tourists who speak another language".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 11 of the 17 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as interpreters and translators, and what do they earn?

About 52,060 people in the US, with median pay of $60,170 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.