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Salary

How much does a Linguist make?

The average salary for a Linguist is $87,641 per year in the US.

Linguists, who work with language and communication, can earn a good living. The average yearly salary for a linguist is about $87,641. This means they make a steady amount of money every year. Some linguists may earn more or less depending on their job and experience.

The salary range for linguists shows a wide variety. At the lower end, the first 10% of linguists earn about $57,460 a year. As experience and expertise grow, the salary also increases. The highest-paid 10% of linguists earn around $134,200 per year. This shows that with more experience, a linguist can earn a significant salary.

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What are the highest paying cities for a Linguist?

Job seekers in the linguistic field can find some of the best-paying opportunities in Washington, DC. This city offers the highest average salary for linguists at $101,986. St. Louis, MO, follows closely with an average salary of $94,622. These cities provide promising career paths for those skilled in language and communication.
Graph displaying highest paying cities salaries for Linguist jobs, highlighting Washington, DC with the highest at $101,986 and Seattle, WA with the lowest at $68,798.
  1. Washington, DC
    Average Salary: $101,986
    Working as a language specialist in Washington, DC can be rewarding. Many government agencies hire linguists to work on translations and cultural analysis. Opportunities often come with benefits and a chance to contribute to national security.
    Find Linguist jobs in Washington, DC


  2. St. Louis, MO
    Average Salary: $94,622
    St. Louis offers a mix of jobs for linguists in both the public and private sectors. Companies often seek linguists for work involving international business and community services. It’s a city with a rich cultural diversity, offering various opportunities.
    Find Linguist jobs in St. Louis, MO


  3. Tampa, FL
    Average Salary: $90,343
    In Tampa, linguists find roles in education and tourism. The city’s growing international presence creates demand for language skills. It’s an excellent place for those who love working with people from different backgrounds.
    Find Linguist jobs in Tampa, FL


  4. Omaha, NE
    Average Salary: $89,556
    Omaha provides a stable environment for linguists. The city values language skills for its businesses and healthcare facilities. A smaller city setting can mean fewer crowds and a more personal work experience.
    Find Linguist jobs in Omaha, NE


  5. Seattle, WA
    Average Salary: $68,798
    Seattle's tech companies are always looking for linguists to help with global outreach. The city’s tech industry is booming, offering many opportunities for those with language skills. Seattle’s vibrant culture also makes it an exciting place to work.
    Find Linguist jobs in Seattle, WA

What are the best companies a Linguist can work for?

CACI International offers some of the highest salaries for linguist jobs, with an average of $131,086. Leidos follows closely, paying an average salary of $115,513. General Dynamics Information Technology also provides attractive compensation, with an average salary of $100,562. These companies value skilled linguists and recognize the importance of their work. By offering competitive salaries, they aim to attract and retain top talent in the field. Job seekers with language skills can find rewarding opportunities with these leading employers.
Graph displaying best paying company salaries for Linguist jobs, highlighting CACI International with the highest at $131,086 and LIS Solutions with the lowest at $60,455.
  1. CACI International
    Average Salary: $131,086
    CACI International offers exciting opportunities for linguists in various locations across the United States. The company provides language support for intelligence, defense, and federal civilian agencies. With a focus on national security, linguists help bridge communication gaps in critical situations.


  2. Leidos
    Average Salary: $115,513
    Leidos provides diverse linguist roles, focusing on national security and defense. Working with government agencies, linguists help with translation, interpretation, and language analysis. The company operates nationwide, offering opportunities in many locations.


  3. General Dynamics Information Technology
    Average Salary: $100,562
    General Dynamics Information Technology offers linguist jobs that support national security and defense initiatives. These roles involve translation, interpretation, and language training. The company has offices across the U.S., providing many opportunities for linguists.


  4. Valiant Integrated Services
    Average Salary: $96,379
    Valiant Integrated Services focuses on providing language and cultural support to the U.S. government. Linguists work on translation, interpretation, and language analysis projects. The company operates in multiple locations across the U.S.


  5. Ascendion
    Average Salary: $94,261
    Ascendion offers linguist positions that support national security and defense. These roles involve translation, interpretation, and language training. The company has a presence in several U.S. locations, providing many opportunities for linguists.


  6. FalconTek
    Average Salary: $85,000
    FalconTek provides linguist jobs that focus on translation, interpretation, and language support for government agencies. The company operates in various locations across the U.S., offering opportunities for linguists to work in critical areas.


  7. Metlang
    Average Salary: $74,089
    Metlang offers linguist positions that involve translation, interpretation, and language analysis. The company works with government and private sector clients, providing language support in multiple U.S. locations.


  8. KACE Company
    Average Salary: $61,073
    KACE Company provides linguist roles focusing on translation, interpretation, and language support for government and private sector clients. The company operates in several locations across the U.S., offering opportunities for linguists.


  9. LIS Solutions
    Average Salary: $60,455
    LIS Solutions offers linguist positions that involve translation, interpretation, and language support. The company works with government and private sector clients, providing language services in multiple U.S. locations.

How to earn more as a Linguist?

Becoming a linguist opens up many paths to earning more. By leveraging certain strategies, linguists can find themselves in higher-paying roles. One key factor is specializing in a high-demand language. Languages like Mandarin, Arabic, and Russian often see higher demand, leading to better job opportunities and salaries. Another factor involves gaining certifications. Professional certifications from organizations such as the American Translators Association can enhance a linguist’s credibility, making them more attractive to potential employers.

Networking also plays a crucial role in increasing earnings as a linguist. Building connections within the industry can lead to exclusive job opportunities and insights into higher-paying markets. Attending industry conferences, joining professional organizations, and engaging on social media can help linguists expand their networks. Additionally, mastering multiple languages can significantly boost earning potential. Employers often prefer polyglots who can work across different languages, thereby increasing job prospects and salary range. Finally, pursuing advanced degrees or additional training in related fields like computer science or law can open doors to more lucrative career paths.

Currently 32 Linguist job openings, nationwide.

How's the job market for a Linguist in the US?

Learn what a Linguist does, how to become one, and understand the job outlook. Get simple steps to start your career as a Linguist today.
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Linguist
32 Job Openings