A sign language interpreter costs $45 to $165 per hour in 2026
A sign language interpreter costs $45 to $165 per hour in 2026, and most on site jobs have a 2 hour minimum. Kentucky pays licensed interpreters $45 per hour. A Maine contract lists $75 per hour on site. Maryland lists approved vendors from $70 to $165 per hour. Skill, time of day, and the type of job move the rate.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Kentucky Career Center fee schedule | Kentucky lists $45 per hour for licensed sign language interpreters, $50 off hours, and a 2 hour minimum. |
| Maine state contract rates | A Maine state contract lists on site ASL interpreting at $75 per hour weekdays with a 2 hour minimum, and video at $85 per hour. |
| Maryland DORS vendor list | Maryland DORS lists approved ASL vendors at $70 to $165 per hour, each with a 2 hour minimum. |
Sign language interpreter rates by job
| Job | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed interpreter, weekday | $45 per hour | Kentucky Career Center fee schedule |
| Temporary licensed, weekday | $35 per hour | Kentucky Career Center fee schedule |
| Licensed, nights and weekends | $50 per hour | Kentucky Career Center fee schedule |
| On site ASL, weekday | $75 per hour, 2 hour minimum | Maine state contract rates |
| Video remote ASL, weekday | $85 per hour, 1 hour minimum | Maine state contract rates |
| Legal on site, weekday | $85 per hour, 2 hour minimum | Maine state contract rates |
| Approved vendors | $70 to $165 per hour, 2 hour minimum | Maryland DORS vendor list |
| Deaf blind or holiday add on | $5 more per hour | Kentucky Career Center fee schedule |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type of interpreter | Licensed interpreters earn more than temporary ones. Kentucky lists $45 per hour for licensed and $35 per hour for temporary licensed interpreters. |
| Time of day | Nights, weekends, and holidays cost more. Kentucky adds $5 per hour off hours, and Maine lists $80 per hour instead of $75. |
| Job type | Legal jobs cost more. Maine lists $85 per hour on site for legal work, against $75 per hour for a standard on site job. |
| On site or video | Maine lists video remote interpreting at $85 per hour with a 1 hour minimum, against $75 on site with a 2 hour minimum. |
| Vendor | Agencies set their own rates. Maryland lists approved vendors from $70 per hour to $165 per hour, and each one uses a 2 hour minimum. |
What the price includes
The hourly rate pays for the interpreter's time at your event. Most vendors bill a minimum of 2 hours, even for a short job. Travel time, deaf blind work, holidays, and late booking can add fees. Maryland vendors bill in 15 to 30 minute steps after the minimum. Ask if travel is in the quote. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Interpreters work on their own or through agencies, which are called vendors. You pay an hourly rate, and most jobs have a 2 hour minimum. Kentucky bills extra for travel time in 15 minute steps beyond the minimum. Maryland vendors bill in 15 to 30 minute steps after the minimum. Rates differ for night work, holidays, and legal jobs. Maine lists $75 per hour on site and $85 for legal work. Ask for the rate, the minimum, the travel charge, and the cancel rule in writing before you book.
When you need this
You may need an interpreter for a doctor visit, a court date, a school meeting, a job interview, or a big event where a deaf person must follow what is said. Book early for long or technical jobs, so the interpreter can prepare. Tell the vendor the topic, the length, and the place so they send the right person.
How to judge your quote
- What is the minimum number of hours?
- Is the interpreter licensed or certified for this job?
- Are travel time and late cancel fees in the quote?
- Is the rate different at night or on weekends?
- Compare the total with the range above: $45 to $165 per hour, 2 hour minimum for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Book early. Short notice jobs can add fees, and early booking gives you more vendors to compare.
- Plan one longer session instead of many short ones. A 2 hour minimum applies to each job, so short jobs cost more per hour.
- Ask about video remote interpreting for short talks. Maine lists a 1 hour minimum for video, not 2 hours.
- Compare vendors. Maryland lists approved vendors from $70 to $165 per hour, so rates differ a lot for the same work.
- Ask who must pay. Schools, courts, and public offices often must provide interpreters, so check before you pay for one yourself.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Kentucky Career Center fee schedule, Maine state contract rates and Maryland DORS vendor list. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a sign language interpreter cost per hour?
Kentucky lists $45 per hour for licensed interpreters. A Maine contract lists $75 per hour on site. Maryland vendors list $70 to $165 per hour.
Is there a minimum charge?
Yes. Kentucky, Maine, and Maryland price lists use a 2 hour minimum for on site work. Maine lists a 1 hour minimum for video.
Do nights and weekends cost more?
Yes. Kentucky adds $5 per hour, going from $45 to $50. Maine goes from $75 to $80 per hour for on site work.
Does video interpreting cost less?
Not in Maine. It lists $85 per hour for video and $75 on site, but video has a 1 hour minimum instead of 2 hours.
Do legal jobs cost more?
Yes. Maine lists $85 per hour on site for legal work, against $75 per hour for standard work.