Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
Last Updated on February 5, 2023 by Work In My Pajamas
A side hustle is always a good way to earn money, and this is the reason more people are working as a freelance translator. Many people are under the misconception that no one will be willing to hire freelance translators on the internet, but this is completely wrong because many thriving web platforms hire tons of people for freelance translation work. You can not only earn extra but can also have a flexible work schedule as you can login to these websites from anywhere and anytime.
To help you get started as a freelance translator, we have listed down some popular platforms that you can use.
In This Post:
1. Unbabel
Probably one of the largest communities of translators online is the Unbabel community. Unbabel today has more than 40,000+ translators working for it in more than 28+ languages. Working in this community as a beginner you can earn about $8 per hour and as you become an expert translator and start getting more order, the pay gradually increases up to $18 per hour.
One of the best features of this platform is, it not only provides you the copy of the document to be translated, but it also give you an AI-generated version of same, thereby helping you greatly. Not only this, they have released their mobile application as well giving you a chance to earn money on the go.
2. Translate.com
Translate.com is a freelance translation network where both the customers and translators can connect. Translate.com has a thriving community of paid translators that provide highly accurate human translations. Are you multilingual? Sign up and get started today!
- Every task is first come, first serve. No more bidding or waiting for translations.
- Take a test to be qualified in the languages you wish to translate
- Translate blog articles, social media posts, support tickets, and more!
- Cash out your earnings anytime, directly to your Paypal® account.
3. TranslatorBase
Similar to how many woodworkers use straightkerfs.com for advice on the best Miter saws, most freelance translators working professionally, prefer TranslatorBase to find the translation jobs. These working professionals need a platform where they can translate on a flexible schedule. One such online platform that provides the same is TranslatorBase. It has a network of 60,000 translators working on more than 85,000 projects on an annual basis. Using this platform, you not only can get freelance translation works, but you can also hire translation agencies.
4. TRADUguide
TRADUguide is one decent system for finding a number of translation jobs. With this platform in place, you can see and bid on a number of translation jobs listed on its portfolio and hence can get earn a decent salary working as a freelance translator online. The website on its main page has the tasks listed by the client; you can bid and send your profile to at most 4 clients a day which if hired can give you a good pay.
5. ProZ
Your search for finding the best freelance translation jobs across the globe should end here. ProZ is a free platform which allows you to bid and take translation work from a variety of clients and hence earn great fees in return. All you are required to do is create your free profile after which you can take up any number of orders and earn as per your convenience working online.
6. TranslatorsCafe
One of the other platforms which you can use working at freelance translator is the TranslatorsCafe. Similar to other portals this platform offers you a chance to register yourself and send clients your profile based on the type of orders they have listed. The website also has a premium or Master version available using which you will be shown greater value orders.
This platform also allows you to get into direct contact with clients using e-mail and hence you can contact clients in person and finalize your terms and start working on orders.
So, these are the top online services which allow you to earn handsomely working as a freelance translator. If you also do know of some ways to earn good money do not forget to mention them in the comment section below.
How Can I Translate and Earn Money?
Here are some ways you can translate and earn money:
- Freelance translation services: Offer your translation services to individuals and businesses as a freelancer. You can find clients through online marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.
- Translation agency: You can start a translation agency and hire other translators to work for you. You’ll need to market your services and build a client base, but this can be a good option if you have experience in managing people and projects.
- In-house translation: Apply for translation positions at companies that require multilingual communication. This option provides a steady salary and benefits, but may not offer as much flexibility as freelance or agency work.
- Subtitling and captioning: You can earn money by translating written content for videos, such as subtitling or captioning. Companies that specialize in this service often pay per video minute translated.
- Transcription and interpretation: Offer transcription or interpretation services to individuals or businesses. This work often involves converting spoken language into written form or interpreting for individuals in real-time.
Can You Make a Living off Translating?
Yes, it is possible to make a living off translating. Many professional translators work as freelancers or run their own translation agencies, and are able to earn a good income from their work. The amount you can earn as a translator depends on a number of factors, such as your language skills, the demand for your language pair, the type of content you are translating, and your level of experience.
It’s also possible to earn a living as an in-house translator, working for a company or organization that requires multilingual communication. In either case, having a strong portfolio, a good reputation, and a network of clients can help increase your earning potential.
What Is the Highest Paying Language to Translate?
The highest paying language to translate varies depending on a number of factors, such as demand, complexity, and the type of content being translated. However, some commonly cited high-paying languages include:
- Mandarin: Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in the world, and demand for Mandarin translators is high, particularly in the business and tech industries.
- Arabic: Arabic is a high-demand language, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, and translators with proficiency in Arabic can earn a good salary.
- German: German is the largest economy in Europe and is widely used in business and technology, making it a high-demand language for translation.
- Japanese: Japanese is widely used in the technology and automotive industries, and demand for Japanese translators is high.
- Russian: Russian is the largest native language in Europe, and demand for Russian translators is high, particularly in the energy, mining, and finance industries.
It’s important to note that the highest paying language to translate can change over time, as demand and market conditions change. Additionally, the type of content being translated, the level of experience of the translator, and other factors can also impact earnings.
Is Being a Translator a Good Side Job?
Being a translator can be a good side job for some people. Translating offers the flexibility to work from anywhere and the potential to earn a good income on a part-time basis. If you have strong language skills in one or more languages, and an interest in language and culture, translation can be a fulfilling and lucrative side job. Additionally, you can choose to take on as much or as little work as you prefer, making it a good option for those who want to supplement their income while pursuing other interests or responsibilities.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that being a successful translator requires more than just language skills. You’ll need to have strong writing and editing skills, an eye for detail, and the ability to work under tight deadlines. Additionally, you may need to market your services and build a client base, which can take time and effort.
Overall, being a translator can be a good side job for those who are dedicated, hardworking, and have a passion for language and culture.
Image Credit: Ling App
Unbabel is limited to a dozen of languages, while Translatorbase is just to get money out of users.
Proz used to be free but they’ve since put up a paid membership restriction to access the job board. Signing up and participating in the forums are the only free options left there.
Do you know there are actuel PROFESSIONAL translators ? For whom their job is not side hustle ?
Those rates are actually killing the market and making clients beliveve that anyone whot barely pratices two langages can be a translator, which is far from being true.
I have seen first hand the low quality work non professional translators usually produce… needless to say the poor proofreader that is working on the document usually has to rewrite the whole thing AND do the terminological researches all over again.