What is the pay scale for interpreters working in courts and legal settings?
The answer to this question depends in part on the law of supply and demand. Other variables include the type of certification and/or other qualifications held by the interpreter; the frequency and volume of work available; the venues in which interpretation is needed; and the employment scheme under which the interpreter works (self-employment, freelance, or salaried). Remuneration varies, depending on the specific state and the associated cost of living particular to each area. In some parts of the United States, the pay is only moderate; in others, it is more on a par with professional standards. Most court interpreters are self-employed, and as such are considered independent contractors. In some venues, freelance interpreters are paid by the hour; in others they are paid by the half-day or full day. Some states have what are called “permanent per diems.” The freelance rate in federal courts for certified or professionally qualified interpreters, as of January 2008, was $376 per da
