Career comparison
Foreign Language Professor vs. Interpreter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Foreign language professors earn more at the median ($79,350 vs. $60,170), while interpreters usually get to work faster (Fluency plus 6 months–4 years of training of training). Foreign language professors teach college students to speak, read and understand another language and culture. Interpreters help people communicate across languages in health, courts and business.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Foreign Language Professor | Interpreter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $79,350 | $60,170 ($28.93/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,060 – $136,050 | $37,070 – $103,660 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.2% (little or no change) | +2.0% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,600 | 6,000 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 6–8 years after a bachelor’s | Fluency plus 6 months–4 years of training |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in the language | Medical interpreter certification |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, language labs and abroad on study programs.. | Interpreters work in hospitals, courts, schools, conference centers and remotely by video and phone.. |
What each job does
Foreign Language Professor
- Teach language courses
- Teach literature and culture
- Lead study abroad programs
- Run conversation hours
- Conduct research
Interpreter
- Interpret spoken or signed language
- Translate written documents
- Prepare terminology for assignments
- Maintain accuracy and confidentiality
- Follow professional ethics
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, travel, working independently, and helping others. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as patience and concentration.
Which should you choose?
Choose foreign language professor if…
- I speak another language well
- I love other cultures
- I like teaching
Choose interpreter if…
- I’m fluent in two languages
- I enjoy helping people communicate
- I can concentrate under pressure
Still torn? Take the Foreign Language Professor fit quiz and the Interpreter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, foreign language professor or interpreter?
Foreign Language Professors earn more at the median: $79,350 versus $60,170 for interpreters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Interpreters typically train faster (Fluency plus 6 months–4 years of training) than foreign language professors (6–8 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects interpreters to grow +2.0% from 2025–35, compared with +0.2% for foreign language professors.