Business scope

I have been looking at the official government website:

Interpreters in the USA

Interpreters and translators held about 50,900 jobs in 2008. Interpreters and translators are employed in a variety of industries, reflecting the diversity of employment options in the field. About 28 percent worked in public and private educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, and universities. About 13 percent worked in healthcare and social assistance, many of whom worked for hospitals. Another 9 percent worked in other areas of government, such as Federal, State, and local courts. Other employers of interpreters and translators include interpreting and translation agencies, publishing companies, telephone companies, and airlines. About 26 percent of interpreters and translators are self-employed. Many who freelance in the occupation work only part time, relying on other sources of income to supplement earnings from interpreting or translation. Urban areas, especially Washington, DC, New York, and cities in California, provide the largest numbers of employment possibilities, especially for interpreters.

Earnings
Wage and salary interpreters and translators had median annual wages of $38,850 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,940 and $52,240. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,170, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,190. Individuals classified as language specialists in the Federal Government earned an average of $79,865 annually in March 2009. 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 who know languages for which there is a greater demand, or which relatively few people can translate, often have higher earnings, as do those who perform services requiring a high level of skill, such as conference interpreters. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos175.htm#emply

JOBS
To be a conference interpreter: Conference Interpreters possess the highest degree of interpreting skill. Candidates may be tested in simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation, usually into the foreign language from English. Prior experience or academic preparation as a conference interpreter is usually required to qualify to be tested at this level. To be a seminar interpreter: Seminar Interpreters are able to perform simultaneous interpretation at a basic skill level which requires a less formal vocabulary than that of the conference interpreter.

To be an escort interpreter: Escort Interpreters are able to interpret short passages or phrases at a time in a consecutive sequence.

Test they must pass:

The Interpreting Aptitude Test The test administered by the Office of Language Services is given only to those candidates whose applications and telephone screenings indicate that they meet the necessary requirements for successful evaluation. It consists of An interview in which the examiners ask the candidate to complete and update information regarding educational and professional experience; Interpreting Skill Test consisting of two passages per level of skill tested. Simultaneous interpretation will be tested from a soundproof booth with sound transmission equipment equivalent to those used in the industry. Dictionaries and glossaries are not allowed during the test. Seminar and Escort level candidates will also be asked standardized questions dealing with aspects of US history, society, and culture as well as their ability to handle on-the-job situations when accompanying international visitors. http://languageservices.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=173&menu_id=108

Qualifications of a good interpreter

Interpreters find it difficult to make a living from the art if they don't possess, at a minimum, the following skills: Knowledge of the general subject of the speeches that are to be interpreted. General erudition and intimate familiarity with both cultures. Extensive vocabulary in both languages. Ability to express thoughts clearly and concisely in both languages. Excellent note-taking technique for consecutive interpreting. At least 2-3 years of booth experience for simultaneous interpreting.

Recognized qualifications
American Translators Association (ATA) California Court Interpreters Association (CCIA) California Healthcare Interpreters Association (CHIA) National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT)

National Council on Interpretation in Health Care (NCIHC) https://www.ctslanguagelink.com/opi_interpreter_qualifications.php

Industries that usually requires help from interpreters

Financial
Open new accounts Resolve credit card problems Purchase stocks & mutual funds Enhance sales to ethnic markets Increase collection effectiveness Report stolen credit cards Process loan applications Provide home buyer education Produce credit reports... and Communicate with international business partners

Insurance
Provide quick claims processing Improve claims investigations Evaluate borderline legal claims Enhance help desk service Easily explain benefits Take recorded statements Support for Auto and Home Quotes Sell insurance internationally

Healthcare Government Telecom Utilities Manufacturing

Enhance abilities of their customer service centers Support their personnel in the field Increase their successful rate of collections Support multicultural marketing programs in the U.S. and abroad Bolster multi-lingual direct mail and telemarketing efforts Facilitate travel planning, and Bridge language barriers to create global business partnerships

Transportation

http://www.languageline.com/page/industry_transportation/