Annual Salary
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
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British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters help deaf and hearing people communicate with one another.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends; flexibly
There will be
0.5% more British Sign Language interpreter jobs in 2027.
In your day-to-day duties you may have to:
You could work at a client's business, from home or in an office.
You can get into this job through:
You'll need a degree or level 6 award in both British Sign Language and interpreting.
You would also need an approved qualification in interpreting like:postgraduate or master's degree in interpreting or translation; Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting
You'll usually need:
You could work for an organisation that supports deaf people, or in a school or college, for example, as an educational support assistant. You could then do your British Sign Language qualifications on the job to qualify as an interpreter.
Getting involved in clubs or centres for deaf people is a good way of getting experience and may give you the opportunity to get relevant training.
You could qualify by registering as a trainee sign language interpreter (TSLI). To register, you'll need:
You'll need to:
Many interpreters work freelance or through agencies and often get work through recommendations of people who have already used their services.
It is useful if you have an understanding of deaf people's needs and the challenges that they face.
You can find out more about becoming a British Sign Language interpreter from:Signature; Royal Association for Deaf People; British Deaf Association; Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)
You could teach and assess others, sign at theatre productions or television performances, or move into research.
You could also become self-employed and work freelance.
You'll need: