ASL Interpreting Pricing: How to Budget Smartly
Sign language interpreter costs aren’t just about hourly rates—they’re influenced by location, experience, certifications, and whether the service is in-person or remote. Understand the costs, factors, and hidden fees behind ASL interpreting services.
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With so many ASL interpreting pricing options available, how do you know if you’re making the right choice?
Go too cheap, and you risk miscommunication that can lead to legal issues, medical mishaps, or lost business opportunities. Overpay for unnecessary expertise, and you could be wasting resources without improving accessibility.
Moreover, you’ve heard of software that mimics ASL interpreting or a glove that interprets American Sign Language for non-Deaf individuals. Could tech novelties be the right choice for your budget and needs?
Or, you are in charge of a complex project and need a full team of sign language interpreters. However, you are clueless about specific ASL tools, techniques, and rates.
In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of ASL interpreting packages, what affects interpreters’ rates, and why the right interpreter for one situation may be the wrong choice for another.
We’ll also share common costly mistakes businesses, schools, and organizations make when they don’t do their homework—and how you can avoid them. If you want to ensure the best ASL services without unnecessary expenses or pitfalls, this guide to the cost of ASL interpreting will point you to the right direction.
The True Cost of ASL Interpreting: Why Choosing the Right Interpreter Matters
Many factors influence sign language interpreting rates.
From on-site or off-site availability to the diversity of ASL interpretation styles and techniques, as well as certifications, qualifications, and experience—it’s no wonder you feel overwhelmed.
Factors Influencing ASL Interpreting Costs
Several elements affect the pricing of ASL interpreting services:
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Mode of Communication: On-site interpreting typically incurs higher costs due to travel and time commitments, whereas VRI and VRS can be more economical.
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Type of Interpretation: Simultaneous interpreting, common in conferences, demands more skill and often costs more than consecutive interpreting, used in one-on-one settings.
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Location: Interpreters in urban areas may charge higher rates due to the cost of living and demand. Additionally, if an interpreter needs to travel a significant distance, travel fees might apply.
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Duration of Assignment: Longer engagements might offer reduced hourly rates, but many interpreters have minimum time requirements.
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Certification and Experience: Interpreters with specialized certifications or extensive experience often command higher fees.
Certification is a crucial step for interpreters to validate their skills and professionalism.
The RID administers national certifications, such as the National Interpreter Certification (NIC). It also mandates continuing education to maintain these credentials.
Prospective ASL interpreters typically pursue formal education to obtain certification through accredited programs.
Educational Pathways for Sign Language Interpreters
ASL interpreters can specialize in various fields to better serve specific communities and contexts.
Associate Degrees
These programs provide foundational knowledge in ASL, Deaf culture, and basic interpreting skills.
For example, Sinclair Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Education, focusing on language acquisition and cultural understanding.
Bachelor's Degrees
These comprehensive programs delve deeper into interpreting techniques, ethics, and advanced ASL proficiency.
The University of Louisville’s Bachelor of Science in American Sign Language Interpreting Studies equips students with the necessary training to function as qualified interpreters.
Minor Programs
Some institutions offer minors in ASL Studies, enhancing students’ proficiency and cultural awareness without the full commitment of a major.
Eastern Kentucky University, for instance, provides a minor in ASL Studies alongside its bachelor’s program.
ASL Interpreting Pricing: Matching the Service Cost to the Setting
The cost of ASL interpreting varies based on the setting and content, ensuring effective communication for different needs. Here’s a breakdown of the main types and where they’re used.
Educational ASL Interpreting
ASL education interpreters often work within K-12 or post-secondary institutions to facilitate ASL communication in academic settings.
Bethel University’s Sign Language Interpreting major prepares students for such roles, including interpreting for tours, theater productions, and nursing simulations.
Medical ASL Interpreting
Because they facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers, providing knowledge of medical terminology and protocols, ASL medical specialists may charge more than their colleagues engaged in education.
Legal ASL Interpreting
While interpreting in legal settings such as courts and detention centers, legal ASL interpreters guarantee familiarity with legal terminology and procedures. Like their colleagues—the legal transcriptionists—legal ASL interpreters typically have higher hourly rates than the national average.
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) offers a Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L) for interpreters in this field.
ASL interpreting encompasses various services tailored to diverse locational needs.
Video Relay Service (VRS)
This service enables deaf individuals to communicate with hearing people via video equipment, with interpreters facilitating the conversation.
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI)
Through videoconferencing technology, VRI connects interpreters to clients remotely. It’s a cost-effective solution for situations where on-site interpreting isn’t feasible.
Unlike VRS, VRI ensures that all parties can see each other for better communication. This is a crucial, often neceesary distinction, which can affect the accuracy and the confidentiality of the interpreted messages.
On-Site Interpreting
Interpreters are physically present, facilitating real-time communication.
Physically present ASL interpreters are ideal for settings like medical appointments or live events.
However, you may need to account for travel and accommodation costs if you decide to hire ASL professionals on-site.
On the other hand, VRI and VRS interpreting raises sign language interpreting rates due to technology usage and software subscription fees.
For example, high-quality cameras, secure connections, and conferencing platforms for multiple attendees cost more.
Additonally, consider minimum session sees. Some providers charge a minimum session fee (usually 30 or 60 minutes), even if the interpretation lasts only a few minutes.
On-Demand Interpreting
If you need an on-call team of interpreters available for ad-hoc events, customizing the ASL package may be your best option.
Depending on the volume, complexity of the events, and audience literacy, many adjustments can be made to ASL pricing, with costs going up or down.
In certain scenarios, you may get a dedicated ASL manager who can help you navigate stressful live events with confidence and professionalism, avoiding some of the mistakes we will elaborate on below.
Usually, on-demand ASL interpreting services can raise costs unless negotiated as part of a packaged deal.
The Cost of ASL Interpreting Technology
American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters use a variety of devices and technologies to enhance their services and make it easier for attendees to follow.
Videophones and webcams are usually what first come to mind when looking into effective VRI and VRS.
There are experimental solutions, such as a device that incorporates a tablet case with a Leap Motion controller, enabling it to recognize and translate sign language into spoken words and vice versa. However, these machine-learning-based sign language tools are far behind their human counterparts and are not yet developed enough to be used in official events.
In environments where interpreters work with individuals who have residual hearing, assistive listening devices can be beneficial. These include FM systems and loop systems that amplify sound, ensuring that both the interpreter and the client can communicate more effectively.
While not a direct tool for interpreters, real-time captioning services (CART) provide live text of spoken content.
While technology offers valuable support, the expertise and cultural competence of human interpreters remain irreplaceable.
Devices and software serve as supplementary tools to enhance the interpreting process, but they cannot fully replicate the skills and understanding that professional ASL interpreters bring to their work.
Don’t forget to ask about technology usage—an experienced provider will be able to walk you through the setup, rates, and other costs and provide the value you need.
Not All ASL Interpreting Is the Same: Understanding the Techniques
Beyond content-specific interpreting, these methods focus on the modality and preferences of the audience and can result in price differences:
1. Transliteration
Transliterators convey a message from one form of a language to another without changing the language itself.
In the context of ASL, this means representing spoken English in a manual form that closely follows English syntax and vocabulary, rather than using the grammar and structure of ASL. This approach benefits individuals who are accustomed to English word order and may rely on speechreading.
2. Oral Transliteration
Oral transliterators assist individuals who rely on speechreading by silently mouthing spoken words, ensuring clear articulation and visibility. They may also use gestures and pointing to enhance understanding.
This technique is particularly useful in settings where traditional sign language isn’t used. However, participants’ visual access to spoken language is necessary.
3. Protactile Interpretation
Protacitle interpreters use various parts of the body, such as the hands, wrists, and arms, to communicate, allowing DeafBlind individuals to access information about their surroundings and interactions.
4. Tactile ASL Interpretation
For individuals who are DeafBlind, tactile ASL involves the interpreter signing into the person’s hands, enabling them to feel the signs and comprehend the message. This method allows those without sight to receive information through touch.
5. Cued Speech
This technique uses handshapes and placements near the mouth to represent phonetic components of spoken language, aiding those who rely on speechreading.
Each of these techniques addresses specific communication preferences and needs, ensuring that individuals receive information in the most accessible and effective manner possible.
ASL Interpreting Specializations Ranked by Cost—Which Is the Most Expensive?
The compensation for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters varies significantly. Certain fields command higher rates due to the complexity and expertise required. Here’s an overview of how different specializations compare:
1. Legal Interpreting
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, interpreters and translators working in government sectors, which include legal settings, had a median annual wage of $64,350 as of May 2023.
2. Medical Interpreting
Medical interpreters facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers, necessitating familiarity with medical terminology. The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in hospitals was $58,650 as of May 2023.
3. Educational Interpreting
Interpreters in educational settings, such as K-12 schools and universities, typically earn less compared to legal and medical interpreters. The median annual wage for interpreters and translators in educational services was $58,100 as of May 2023.
4. VRS Interpreting
Interpreters providing services through video relay platforms often have varying pay rates. Some reports indicate that VRS interpreters can earn between $30 to $45 per hour, depending on the employer and region.
5. Freelance Interpreting
Freelance interpreters working in community settings may have variable rates. Rates can range from $30 to $65 per hour, influenced by factors such as experience, certification, and demand.
In summary, legal interpreting tends to be the most lucrative specialization for ASL interpreters, followed by medical interpreting.
Keep in mind that these figures can vary based on geographic location, experience, certifications, and the specific demands of the job.
When the Wrong ASL Interpreter Costs More Than the Right One
Conclusion
Here’s the truth: Cutting corners or guessing at what type of interpreter you need will likely cost you more in the long run. The right interpreter isn’t just someone who knows ASL—they must fit the specific needs of your setting.
Working with an experienced ASL interpreting agency makes all the difference. When you contact a specialized agency, you get:
- Access to qualified interpreters – We vet interpreters based on their experience, certifications, and expertise.
- Expert matching – Need a legal expert? A medical specialist? A tech-savvy interpreter? We ensure you get the right fit.
- Administrative support – We can handle scheduling, contracts, and compliance, saving you time and effort.
- Logistical ease – Whether you need on-site or remote interpreting, we take care of travel, technology, and accessibility requirements.
Have questions? Contact us below and experience the personal touch from our experienced team of ASL interpreters!
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