Looking for Translation Jobs Online? Check Out These Top 10 Websites

In today's day and age, translation skills are in high demand. With the rise of the internet, and over 7,000 languages being spoken around the world, it is no wonder that online translators are witnessing rapid growth in their line of work.

Statistics show that, in 2021, the translation industry skyrocketed to an astounding $56.18 billion. A growth of over $5 billion in just 2 years makes you realize how beneficial it can be to speak other languages besides your native one.

If you've been thinking about monetizing your language skills and becoming an online translator, you've come to the right place.

Top 10 Freelance Translation Jobs

Freelance translators enjoy a myriad of benefits of their profession. They are able to work remotely and organize their work schedule however they like.

However, if you wanted to get into online translation jobs, where would you begin? To help in answering that question, let's go over the top 10 best places for freelance translation jobs.

Bureau Works

Bureau Works is a translation company that specializes in cloud-based translation management systems. Their aim is to provide high-end translation and localization solutions to individuals and enterprises around the world.

One of the things that makes Bureau Works stand out from the bunch is their translation versatility. It doesn't matter if it's medical, financial, legal, or any other kind of content. The Bureau Works team will help take your business around the world.

The best thing about it is, they are always looking for new people to join their growing family.

All it takes is a visit to the careers page of their official website. Take a look at their list of openings, and apply for the one that best suits your particular skill set.

Gengo

Gengo is known as a powerhouse in the translation industry, connecting businesses and individuals with the worldwide network of freelance translators. Their eloquent platform offers human translations in over 40 languages.

Once you've created a Gengo account, you can start applying for translation jobs. Their work dashboard is simple and easy to use, letting you pick out jobs that best suit your schedule and skill set.

On the flip side, Gengo does have a pretty rigorous application process. To keep their translations top-notch, Gengo requires their translators to first pass a 2-pair translation test. This test can take up to a week to complete, and you only get 2 shots to get it right.

Overall, Gengo is better suited for more experienced translators. While the screening process can be intimidating to newcomers, Gengo is still one of the best platforms for earning good money as a translator.

One Hour Translation

The concept behind One Hour Translation is exactly as the name suggests. The site receives source material from the client, translates it, and sends back the final result within the hour.

Translations are performed by human translators for over 75 languages and 2500 language pairs. Their community of professional translators counts over 15,000 people from more than 100 countries.

One of the more interesting things about this site is its game-like progression system. This makes it so that translating content is not only financially beneficial, but also fun and engaging.

As you get into the higher-tier jobs that One Hour Translation has to offer, the pay becomes better and better. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a One Hour Translation job amounts to $110,599 per year.

One Hour Translation is a great place to start whether you are a beginner, or an experienced translator looking to find work.

Unbabel

Unbabel is an online translation service platform that relies on a machine translation and editing work process. It is an efficient solution for clients in need of translation services, and translators looking for work.

One of the things that stick out about Unbabel is that the content is very easy to translate. The material is first machine-translated, then manually edited and adapted to the target language. This makes it a great starting point for novice translators.

Interestingly enough, Unbabel is always seeking applicants. Simply heading to their websites and checking out their vacancies will give you a range of positions to choose from. If you are a native speaker of a language they have a vacancy for, you can apply to work for them.

A noteworthy point about this company is that they pay translators by the hour, not by word. This has its pros and cons. However, ultimately, it makes it a great gig for translators that have yet to gain work experience and build up a strong portfolio.

Upwork

If you've ever contemplated working from home, then you've heard of Upwork.

Upwork is one of the most popular freelancing websites out there. It is intuitive, accessible, and easy to get started with. All you need to do is create an account, fill in some necessary information about your skillset, and you're ready to go.

One of the best things about finding work through Upwork is that you're in complete control of what jobs you take on, how much pay you receive, and how you schedule your work routine.

Additionally, the website promises a steady flow of translation jobs in all languages. This means that you can always use Upwork as a secondary source of income if you're already working for another company.

Blend

Blend is a leading localization service agency that specializes in the tech industry. Their work process is tailored towards IT-related content including app, software, and website localization.

One of the things that stands out about blend is their highly efficient localization work process. Starting with base translation, and going through localization testing and cultural adaptation, Blend ensures that the end product is maximally suited to the target market.

With a versatile team of language experts, online translators, editors, and project managers, it comes as no surprise that their achievements speak for themselves. Many high-end companies have entrusted Blend with their localization strategies.

If translating content in the tech industry is your field of expertise, feel free to visit their site and see what positions they have open.

Freelancer

As one of the more popular freelancing platforms, Freelancer offers a wide range of job possibilities for translators, transcreators, interpreters, etc.

Once you join the Freelancer community, browsing jobs is fairly straightforward. When a job offer has been posted, you can offer your price in a bid-like system. If your offer is the one to get selected, you will be connected with the client for further discussion.

While the company is more aimed towards smaller marketplaces, you can use that to expand your work beyond just translating. If people are interested in learning your native language, as a native speaker, you can offer online teaching sessions.

In general, Freelancer is a great platform for beginner translators looking to get some work and build up their portfolio. With enough persistence, you will have job offers thrown at you left, right, and center.

Genius Translations

Genius Translations is a fully certified enterprise. This means two things.

First is that the quality of the service meets international standards. And second, in situations when a clients requirements include certification, the licensed translators can provide that certification.

The translation professionals at Genius Translations come from all corners of the world, and are native to over 50 languages. This wide array of language proficiencies gives the company an overall advantage in the translation market.

Also, Genius Translations only work with human translators and editors. This makes it so that all content provided by them is unique and thought-through.

Joining their global network of translators would be a good move for all freelancers looking to find work in the translation industry.

OneSky

OneSky is yet another great translation and localization service provider. Their work process is tailored for companies interested in expanding their marketing strategy across the world.

One of the more interesting points about OneSky is that their translators are experienced in a wide array of different content areas. This includes things like apps, games, websites, and many more.

In addition to that, OneSky offers their clients an easy way to communicate with their translators. The all-encompassing platform offers a complete localization solution, dismissing the need for switching between different tools when completing translation tasks.

OneSky's app localization expertise has been relied on by 1000+ apps in over 50+ languages. If this sounds like your kind of gig, feel free to visit their website and see if they got a position for you.

TranslatorsCafe

TranslatorsCafe is a family, as much as it is a networking platform. Many regard it as a headquarters for freelance translators and translation companies.

Joining TranslatorsCafe is especially beneficial if you specialize in certain fields. Whether it be legal, medical, educational, or any other branch, TranslatorsCafe is the place to be. The services offered include not only translation, but also proofreading, interpreting, teaching, localization, language instruction, etc.

One of the best features of TranslatorsCafe is that they have a job board feature. This makes it much easier for translators to find jobs that demand their particular skillset.

In addition, the website features a variety of tools for promoting your services and increasing visibility to your potential clients.

How Much Can One Make From Online Translation Jobs?

How much money a person can make from online translation jobs varies based on the language pair, experience, level of expertise, and the type of content. In general, the annual salary of an online translator in the United States can go as high as $209,000.

If we look at the average, the annual earnings tend to be between $45,000 and $80,000 per year. However, with hard work and persistence, anyone can rise up into the top earner category.

It is also worth noting that you can always outsource your work. Once you build up a reputable translation service, you can hire more people and start a business. Ultimately, there is no upper limit to how much financial reward you can reap from your translation work.

Best Companies Where You Can Find Online Translation Jobs

The best companies for finding online translation jobs include Bureau Works, Gengo, One Hour Translations, and Unbabel. Overall, there are plenty of options to choose from including the ones we have listed earlier.

Additionally, reaching out to local companies and businesses, and offering your services is always a good idea. As we've already stated, the ability to translate content from one language to another is in high demand. You never know when or where a job opportunity may appear.

Can I Find Online Translation Jobs On Freelancing Sites?

Of course! As already mentioned, offering your translation services on freelancing websites is a great way to land a solid translation gig, all while maintaining the freedom of working on your own schedule.

Most freelancing websites have a review-based system. This means that the better you are at helping other people, the more work you will get. As you gain access to higher-paying clientele, you will also be tasked with more engaging translation projects.

If you're just starting out, it might take some time to build up a reputable account with a strong portfolio. However, once you get the wheels turning, the jobs will start pouring in.

How To Become A Certified Translator

To become a certified translator you should obtain a degree or certificate in translation from a reputable authority. In the United States, that would most likely mean passing a certification exam offered by the American Translators Association (ATA).

However, this will always depend on your language pair, field of expertise, and region. For example, if your interests lie in working in the fields of medicine or science, then getting certified by the National Board of Certified Medical Interpreters (CMI) is the option to go for.

Overall, there are plenty of organizations out there that offer such certification programs. Taking the time to prepare and obtain formal proof of your competency as a translator will help advance your career in many ways.

Closing Thoughts

As we have seen, there are plenty of ways to monetize your language skills. It doesn't matter if you're into translation, proofreading, interpreting, or if you like to create subtitles for film and TV. Once you know where to look, you can easily find work in the translation industry.

We hope that this article has given you insight into the endless possibilities that come with speaking more than one language. All that's left is for you to take the first step.

Good Luck!

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