Interpreter Salary

[akira117]

Anyone have an idea of what a Japanese interpreter gets paid? Also what a technical document translator gets paid, an IT one preferably.


I think I will get a 4 year degree in liberal studies (totally undecided as of now) and I already have a 2 year degree in computer information technology. If that information is of any help determining a salary more specifically.

[Taro Toporific]

Anyone have an idea of what a Japanese interpreter gets paid? Also what a technical document translator gets paid, an IT one preferably.

Wages for Japanese interpreters vary wildly. I have a friend working for Japan Convention Bureau making 100,000 yen a day. More common interpreter wages that I specifically know are being paid:
Mitsubishi Truck--600,000yen/m
Seiyu/Walmart---490,000yen/m
Tokyo Stock Exchange---650,000yen/m
Typical abused OL interpreters 250,000yen/m
El-Crapo Travel Agency---190,000yen/m


A good technical translators also vary. A few years ago, I was paid to make a survey of published technical translation prices which varied from J->E 9yen/word (starvation) to 28yen/word (W0ot!). Most technical translation work is freelance.

In the past year, I knew of two open full-time jobs at major Japanese companies for technical translators that are sort-of entry level:
Canon Headquarters -- 300,000 yen/m
Hitachi Software---- 290,000 yen/m

Both these jobs seem to be open every 6 months,
pointing to high turnover and dissatisfaction.

Your skill and real, provable, technical background are the key along with good contacts. The problem is that NOBODY is very good (therefore reducing wages) and having the proper connections is problematic.

All of this is a moot point, since amount of technical interpreter and technical translator is down 50% from two years ago and a noob interpreter/translator will a terrible time getting their first break.

[akira117]

Wow thanks that's some good information, thanks a lot.

Besides the Jet Programme is their another good way to start off in japan?

All of this is a moot point, since amount of technical interpreter and technical translator is down 50% from two years ago and a noob interpreter/translator will a terrible time getting their first break.

I'm thinking the 2 years I have left in university will be for the better, given the state the economy is in.

[Iraira]

Don't know much about the interpreter biz, as I sound too Kabukichou to get any part of my foot in the door.
The med & tech trans biz is the only translation stuff one can earn a reasonably fat living at. But yen per word has come crashing down as everyone is trying to lower their bottom line. Patents and legal documents are paying around 22-30 yen/word. Freelance is the norm, which would scare me (esp. in this economy)...plus, I work better in an office, and I get to watch Greji chasing chicks in Toranomon.
You can download nasty patent stuff from the IPDL site (http://www.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/homepg.ipdl) and now and then find corresponding English patents on either the Espace site (http://ep.espacenet.com/) or the USPTO site (http://patft.uspto.gov/).
If you can learn to translate claims without so much as a slight uptick in your diastolic pressure, you'll find work eventually.

[Bucky]

You can go over to the Honyaku forum and read past posts about starting out. I would suggest browsing the archives before you post anything though. There are many threads from people who have inquired about starting out that I think might be instructive.

The Honyaku forum is for Japanese translators exchanging ideas and helping each other out with translation issues


HONYAKU

[Samurai_Jerk]

I would suggest a young guy like you not choose technical translation as a career path. You'll be made obsolete by computer programs eventually.

[akira117]

You can go over to the Honyaku forum and read past posts about starting out. I would suggest browsing the archives before you post anything though. There are many threads from people who have inquired about starting out that I think might be instructive.

The Honyaku forum is for Japanese translators exchanging ideas and helping each other out with translation issues


HONYAKU

This forum is pretty helpful thanks!

[BigInJapan]

In the past year, I knew of two open full-time jobs at major Japanese companies for technical translators that are sort-of entry level:
Canon Headquarters -- 300,000 yen/m

Both these jobs seem to be open every 6 months,
pointing to high turnover and dissatisfaction.

You've hit the nail on the head. The particular dept. that this job is in has an EXTREMELY high turnover - due to a variety of reasons. Other jobs there are fine though.