London, the capital of the United Kingdom, is a global centre for business, finance and culture, making it an attractive location for professionals in many sectors, including professional translators. Have you ever wondered how much a professional translator in London can earn? At our translation agency, we are here to help you find out the answer.
How much translators are paid in London
Calculating the salary of a professional translator in London is difficult since most translators are self-employed and charge by the word.
The rate per word varies depending on several factors, such as:
- Experience: Translators with more experience usually charge higher rates.
- Specialist knowledge: Being a specialist in areas such as legal, medical or financial translation may increase your rate.
- Type of text: The translation of complex texts, such as legal documents or technical reports, is usually more expensive than that of simple texts, such as websites or brochures.
- Source and destination language: The language combination also influences the rate.
Range of prices per word
In general, a professional translator in London can charge between £0.07 and £0.26 per translated word, according to Indeed.
It is important to note that this is only an estimated range and the actual rate may be higher or lower depending on the factors mentioned above.
Examples of rates for different translation types:
- General translation: Between £0.07 and £0.13 per word, as reported by Glassdoor
- Legal translation: Between £0.13 and £0.21 per word, according to The Association of Professional Translators (APT).
- Medical translation: Between £0.17 and £0.26 per word, as reported by The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI).
Additional factors that can influence rates
In addition to the factors mentioned above, other aspects that can influence the salary of a translator in London include:
- The translator’s reputation: Translators with a good reputation and a large client base usually charge higher rates.
- Volume of work: Translators who can work on large projects or with repeat clients may have higher, more stable incomes.
- Location: Translators working in central London or in areas with a high cost of living may charge higher rates than those working in more remote areas.
Job opportunities for translators in London
There is constant, strong demand for professional translators in London. This is due to the multicultural nature of the city’s population, the presence of a huge number of international companies and the importance of English as a global business language.
Translators in London can find job opportunities in a variety of sectors, including:
- Translation companies: These hire translators to work on a wide range of projects, from legal documents to marketing materials (The Association of Professional Translators (APT) [invalid URL removed]).
- International organisations: Many international organisations based in London, such as the UN and the European Union, need translators to communicate with people around the world.
- Private companies: Private companies in many sectors, such as banking, technology and pharmaceuticals, also hire translators to translate their internal documents, websites and marketing materials.
- Freelancers: Translators can also work as freelancers and set their own rates. This option offers flexibility and the ability to choose which projects they work on.
