If you’re lucky enough to speak a second language, you can make money translating online, and there are many translation opportunities for the taking!
Many businesses and online content creators are looking to reach wider audiences across the world, and you can help out by offering your translation services.
Translation work can include live translation and translating written documents such as blog posts, books, videos, audio files, and more.
Today, we’ll take a look at the companies and platforms where you can find translation jobs and different ways for you to get paid for your translation skills.
Let’s dive in!
Make Money Translating Online with Your Own Website
One of the best ways to get started as a freelance translator is to set up your own website offering your translation services.
But, before you set up your site, you should choose your translation niche.
Have a think about your skillset, the level of demand for a subject and your interest. This is really important as you’ll spend a lot of time working on this subject, so you need to be passionate about it.
A few ideas for translation niches include:
- Literary translations. This includes the translation of books, poetry, plays, and more.
- Professional translation. Examples of this include medical or legal translation.
- Technical translation. This includes technical translation for a company where a high understanding of the subject matter is needed.
- Administritive translation. Translation of different papers and content produced by corporations and organizations.
Once you’ve decided what type of translation you want to offer, you can build a niche website that showcases your talents.
After your site is set up, spend time getting traffic to your website. This takes a little effort, but by focusing on SEO best practices, you’ll start getting clients reaching out to pay for your language skills.
Not sure where to start?
Job Boards to Make Money Translating Online
While waiting for your translation website to bring you clients, you can find paid work as a translator on remote job boards.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a remote job board that gives you access to thousands of hand-screened work-from-home jobs in different sectors.
To find translation jobs, type your preferred job title into the search bar at the top of the page, and you’ll be shown all the different translation jobs hiring right now.
From here, you can scroll through the translation assignments on offer and click on any that suit your skills and needs.
You can see whether the job is remote or requires you to live in a certain area, and you can see whether it’s full-time or part-time.
Click on a job to expand the job summary details, and if you want to apply for it, you need to create a FlexJobs account.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a platform where you can find freelance translation jobs that suit your skills.
To get started, you need to:
- Apply to join the PeoplePerHour community. This includes adding details about you, your skills, and your preferences
- Your application is reviewed and approved by a PeoplePerHour moderator
- Once accepted, you can build a great profile that showcases your language qualifications and experience
- Search for translation projects manually or sign up for automatic searches where AI matches you with suitable projects
- You can send 15 job proposals a month FREE, and after that, you can buy credits if you’d like to apply for more jobs
You can set your own rates and even send out invoices after a project is completed through the PeoplePerHour platform.
Freelance Marketplaces to Make Money Translating Online
Take a look at the best freelancer marketplaces to make money online with online translation jobs.
Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the best places to find paid work in the translation industry.
Freelance translators can set up their own profiles detailing what they offer, and price tiers can be set, offering work bundles.
One downside of Fiverr is that there is a lot of competition, so you will have to charge low rates to begin with to get clients interested.
But, over time, and with a little effort to gain good reviews, you can slowly raise your rates.
Plus, as you complete successful translation jobs on Fiverr, the algorithm will start to push you up the search results so you get seen nearer the first page.
Upwork
Upwork is similar to Fiverr but works a little differently, as you have to bid on jobs instead of waiting for clients to come to you.
To find translation jobs on Upwork, follow these steps:
- Fill out the Upwork application
- Once approved, you can complete your freelancer profile, including skills, portfolio, and any certifications
- Use the search bar to find translator jobs posted on Upwork
- When you see a job you like, click ”Submit a Proposal”
- Follow instructions from the client and answer any questions
- If you’re chosen for the job, you’ll be notified, and you can start working on it
Payment is made after the job is complete and depends on the payment type, such as hourly, fixed rate, or Project Catalog contracts.
Translation Agencies to Make Money Translating Online
Take a look at the best translation companies hiring online translators right now.
Unbabel
Unbabel is an all-in-one solution for global translations, trusted by some big brands such as Adidas, Patagonia, and Skyscanner, to name a few.
They currently have 328 ”Unbablers” that work for them in six countries and 37 nationalities.
Unbabel freelance translators are tasked with translating a range of different content, such as newsletters, blog posts, product descriptions, and more.
Pay for translation services ranges from $8 – $18 an hour, with peak periods, language pairs, and translator experience determining pay rates.
Gengo
Gengo provides high-quality translation solutions in all major languages and currently employs over 1,000 certified translators worldwide.
The platform has translated over 1 billion words for over 65,000 customers, and they’ve achieved a 97.6% customer satisfaction rate.
As a Gengo translator, you can:
- Set your own schedule
- Pick and choose suitable translation jobs
- Get feedback from a supportive community
- Enjoy using the latest technology
Pay is reportedly 3 cents per translated word, and money earned is paid via PayPal or Payoneer.
Fairlingo
Fairlingo is an ISO-certified translation platform that offers 24/7 language services.
They offer different types of translation, including:
- Technical translation
- Legal translation
- Website translation
- Document translation
- Medical translation
- Sworn translations
- Book translation
Working for Fairlingo, you can enjoy a flexible work schedule, smart technology, and working together with other translators to keep each other sharp.
Pay is sent out via PayPal, and what you earn depends on your experience and the level of translation.
Lingosaur
Lingosaur offers translation and proofreading services in many different languages and is always on the lookout for new translators to join their community.
To get online translation jobs with Lingosaur, you must pass an initial test, which includes performing a brief sample translation.
This is then rated by other translators on the platform, who will grade your work.
If you get a high enough grade, you’ll be allowed to work on customer translations, and this grade will also affect the pay rate you get.
To work for Lingosaur, you’ll need a PayPal account and to fill out the ”Translator Registration Form”.
Day Translations
Day Translations is a professional translation platform offering localization services and interpretation services for legal, medical, finance, IT, and many other industries.
They work with 10,000+ linguists in over 100 languages and have, to date, translated over 66 million words.
They also offer professional immigration services, global marketing services, and transcription services.
Working for Day Translations, you can enjoy:
- Career growth opportunities
- Bonuses and incentives
- Wellness perks
- Paid time off for vacation
TextMaster
TextMaster is an online translation platform that also offers web content writing services and professional proofreading.
They’re currently looking to hire freelance translators and copywriters who are semi-professional and professional level.
The benefits of working for Textmaster include:
- 24/7 access to jobs
- Payments in 7-14 days via PayPal or Payoneer
- Work on a wide range of tasks
If this sounds good, click ”Create an Account” and follow the TextMaster sign-up process.
Get Blend
Get Blend offers localization, translation, and transcription services to businesses and has worked with many big brands such as Facebook, Microsoft, Payoneer, Subway, and more.
They currently work with over 25,000 professional translators and voice talents and are always looking to hire new certified translators in over 120 languages and language pairs.
Check out the Recruitment Page to see what translators they’re actively recruiting for.
Aberdeen Language Services
Aberdeen Language Services provides business translation services for clients all around the globe.
They also offer desktop publishing and typesetting in any language to help clients format their documents on both Windows and Mac systems.
All translation work for this company is fully remote, so you can apply from anywhere in the world.
Send an email via the contact page to register your interest in providing translation services.
Globalink Translations
Globalink specializes in the translation of documents used in the health, medical, pharmaceutical, psychological, and research fields.
Their main clients include:
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Clinical research organizations
- Healthcare facilities
- Private researchers
They’re currently hiring translators and translation reviewers, and you can contact them via email, fax, or phone to register your interest in working with them as an online translator.
A Globalink rep will send you information about their requirements and processes, including a Translator Information Form.
Linguistic Systems
Linguistic Systems is a translation company founded way back in 1967.
They offer translation and interpreting services in a range of key industries, such as:
- Business
- Legal
- Medical
- Life sciences
- Government
- Technology
- Marketing
- Publishing
The company has a constant flow of translation assignments available, and they pay promptly, but you will need to be a certified translator with at least 2 years experience, a bachelor’s degree, and familiarity with translation tools.
They also require workers to have a valid legal permit to work in the US.
If you meet these requirements, you can apply for freelance translator opportunities by emailing [email protected] with your updated resume.
Concluding How to Make Money Translating Online
Now you know the best ways to make money translating online, and as you can see – there are many opportunities out there to use your language skills if you know two or more languages.
While freelance translation on platforms like Fiverr is the easiest way to start out, as you can pick up work quickly, if you plan to make this a career, it’s a good idea to become an ATA Certified Translator.
This course is taught by the American Translators Association and is one of the industry’s most respected credentials for translators.
Many companies will only take on translators with a professional certification, and this gives you the credentials to prove you’re worth a higher pay rate.
Want more ways to make money with your translation skills?
Check out these proofreading jobs from home and transcription jobs for beginners.
