Medical Interpreting Salary Survey Begins
Just saw that the International Medical Interpreter Association Salary Survey is underway. According to Reuters, the strongest
participation ever is anticipated. Last year, more than 400 interpreters and managers from forty-two states participated in the IMIA Survey; that participation was significantly higher than in the previous year. This 2009 survey promises to provide the data needed to start looking at profession trends, and to be a research tool that interpreters and managers can use to make decisions related to medical interpreter wages.
“The compensation rates reflect the current standards of recruitment, training and hiring of medical interpreters. National certification will ensure competency and therefore ensure patient safety and equal access to health care in diverse populations,” explained Izabel Arocha, IMIA president. “Certified ASL interpreters earn higher wages than spoken language interpreters, who are
not nationally certified. This will change soon with national certification becoming available for medical interpreters. As awareness for minimum competency increases, the profession will become more attractive for those that are looking to enter a credentialed profession.” Demand for qualified medical interpreters continues to grow at a higher rate than in other professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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