How much do I earn as a remote interpreter?

By Matheus A. Freitas

When I think about interpreting and the language industry, which holds such a special place in my heart, many things come to mind. But the first question I often get from colleagues and family is:

“How much do you get paid? You make money in dollars, so you must be getting rich.”

While I’m far from buying a private jet, a luxury penthouse in New York, or a yacht for weekend fun, I do consider myself incredibly rich. Let me tell you why:

1-) I have geographic freedom. I can travel anywhere in my country and work from wherever I find a private room with a good internet connection. For me, this freedom is worth more than any paycheck. I’ve turned down higher-paying jobs because they required me to be stuck in the same office every day. No amount of money can replace the joy of being able to explore new places while doing work I love.

2-) I work when I want, not when the clock tells me to. I’ve lived the other side of this equation—as an English instructor forced to teach in-person classes even when I would rather be sick on a hospital bed. I’ll never forget the misery of dragging myself into the classroom to teach students who simply did not want to study or could not care less about learning English. Now, I only work when I’m at my best, which makes all the difference.

3-) Every assignment teaches me something new. Whether it’s leadership, sustainability, medicine, engineering, or law, I’m constantly learning and expanding my horizons. By the time I look back 20 years from now, I’ll have a wealth of knowledge across so many fields that I’ll be able to hold meaningful conversations with professionals from all walks of life.

4-) The community. The incredibly talented and intelligent people I’ve met through this journey are beyond priceless. This job has connected me with people who inspire me every day, making me feel like I’m part of something much bigger than myself.

For all these reasons, I feel like my earnings at the end of each month are multiplied tenfold. It’s not just about the money—it’s about living a fulfilling, purposeful life in an industry that feels like a calling.

What about you? What makes you love being a linguist?