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Seeking resources/info: current salaries in translation
Thread poster: Léa Gaillard
Léa Gaillard
Léa Gaillard
United Kingdom
New user
Mar 7

Hi there,

I'm a translation studies MA student. I've found it somewhat difficult to really get a good overview of what being paid as a translator looks like these days. How relevant are per-word rates still? Have they changed with MT? How about freelance vs staff translators? I'm based in the UK, but insight from all over the world is appreciated!

Any personal experience or links to resources you use yourself to keep up to date with industry pricing would be great.
 
This post is awaiting vetting. It was edited by the poster after being approved.
Baran Keki
Baran Keki  Identity Verified
Türkiye
Local time: 22:43
Member
English to Turkish
Blimey! Mar 8

ADIE Translations wrote:
If I don't have any work on and something large comes in at 0.06 EUR, I'll take it. I used to work as a PM and the general rate paid to English FIGS translators was 0.05 GBP... I do not think this will have changed much.
For direct clients, it's usually 0.12 EUR per word, but it can vary depending on the text and format.

And yet you eke out a living in Germany without whinging on Proz.. You hear that, Lieven?

Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
 
James Salter
James Salter  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 20:43
Member (2011)
Spanish to English
Hi Lea 05:08

Check out this post: https://www.proz.com/forum/getting_established/368719-are_my_translation_rates_too_high_seeking_feedback_on_pricing_strategy.html

Some of us make the point here that you should be aiming for an hourly rate. More specific information in the thread.

Good luck!

Charlotte Spinetta
 
Rachel Waddington
Rachel Waddington  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 19:43
Dutch to English
+ ...
It depends ... 12:58

There are so many factors involved, it's really impossible to speak of a 'going rate'. Even comparable word rates may be deceptive because one translator may be racing along bashing out dry technical texts with the aid of MT/AI while another may be carefully crafting marketing slogans, where 5 words can have a significant impact on the end customer's bottom line.

Per-word rates are still the norm for translators working for agencies, but those with direct clients may prefer per-hour... See more
There are so many factors involved, it's really impossible to speak of a 'going rate'. Even comparable word rates may be deceptive because one translator may be racing along bashing out dry technical texts with the aid of MT/AI while another may be carefully crafting marketing slogans, where 5 words can have a significant impact on the end customer's bottom line.

Per-word rates are still the norm for translators working for agencies, but those with direct clients may prefer per-hour or per-project rates. It depends on the client, the type of work and the approach of the translator. ▲ Collapse


Kevin Fulton
Dan Lucas
 


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Seeking resources/info: current salaries in translation







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