How much money does a linguist earn?

Answer 1

A Freelance translator can earn up to $80 000 or more.
Salaried interpreters and translators had median hourly earnings of $16.28 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.40 and $21.09. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.67, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $27.45. Earnings depend on language, subject matter, skill, experience, education, certification, and type of employer, and salaries of interpreters and translators can vary widely. Interpreters and translators with language skills for which there is a greater demand, or for which there are relatively few people with the skills, often have higher earnings. Interpreters and translators with specialized expertise, such as those working in software localization, also generally command higher rates. Individuals classified as language specialists for the Federal Government earned an average of $71,625 annually in 2005. Limited information suggests that some highly skilled interpreters and translators-for example, high-level conference interpreters-working full time can earn more than $100,000 annually. For those who are not salaried, earnings may fluctuate, depending on the availability of work. Furthermore, freelancers do not have any employer-paid benefits. Freelance interpreters usually earn an hourly rate, whereas translators who freelance typically earn a rate per word or per hour.

Source: http://www.collegegrad.com/careers/Interpreters-and-Translators.shtml#ear

It totally depends on where you live and where you get a job translating. Court translators in Utah make anywhere from $17 and hour to $26 and hour.

Answer 2

in 2004 a linguist at an entry level job made about $60,000 which is pretty good money. im thinking about being that when i get older.

Answer 3

It depends on where you would be working. Log on to payscale.com for all your answers to questions like yours.