Which schools offer WIOA-approved interpreter training?

56 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

What does an interpreter do, and how do you become one?

Interpreters work in spoken or sign language and translators in written language; medical interpreters help patients talk with doctors and nurses, and court interpreters work in courts. Most have a bachelor's degree and must be fluent in English and at least one other language. Certification is usually optional, but most states require it for court interpreters.¹

Approved programsup to 12 to 23 to 4more than 4

How much does interpreter training cost?

Most interpreter and translator programs approved for WIOA funding cost $1,699 to $3,502 if you pay yourself. Prices also differ by state: most cost $2,395 in Texas and $2,023 to $4,026 in California.

That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.

Compare interpreter training by state: cost, pay and results

Interpreter and translator training by state
State	Programs	Most cost	Earned a year, estimated	Working 6 months later	Finished
Arizona	3	Too few figures to show
California	14	$2,023 to $4,026	Not enough data	55%	99%
Colorado	2	Too few figures to show
Connecticut	1	Too few figures to show
Georgia	2	Too few figures to show
Indiana	2	Too few figures to show
Iowa	1	Too few figures to show
Kansas	1	Too few figures to show
Louisiana	1	Too few figures to show
Massachusetts	6	$1,199 to $4,190	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Michigan	3	Too few figures to show
Minnesota	2	Too few figures to show
Missouri	4	Not enough data	Left out	Not enough data	Not enough data
Nebraska	2	Too few figures to show
Nevada	6	$2,686 to $3,145	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
North Carolina	5	Too few figures to show
Oklahoma	3	Too few figures to show
Tennessee	2	Too few figures to show
Texas	12	$2,395	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Utah	1	Too few figures to show
Virginia	1	Too few figures to show
Washington	5	$1,326 to $2,595	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Wisconsin	2	Too few figures to show
Wyoming	1	Too few figures to show

Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer interpreter training too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made

Medical interpreter certification or court interpreter training? What the 82 programs are

By kind, the 82 programs approved for WIOA funding are medical interpreter course (37 programs), translator or interpreter certificate (general, 27 programs), court and legal interpreter course (11 programs), interpreting or translation (associate degree, 5 programs), and 2 more of one other kind.

Across the US, 29 of the 82 programs take students without a high school diploma, 38 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 14 ask for earlier courses first and 1 asks for an associate degree.

Is there free interpreter training in the US?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Without funding, prices differ by state: most interpreter and translator programs cost $2,395 in Texas and $2,023 to $4,026 in California. Each state's page lists every program with its price.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Other training by state

Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.

Where the interpreter program numbers by state come from

Which interpreter programs are counted?

Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁶ Schools that never applied for approval are missing.

What the figures for each state mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the facts about interpreter training

Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services

Interpreter and translator training by state