Passionate about foreign languages and translation but you don’t know which is the best job in the industry that suits your profile?
Discover new opportunities following the tips provided by Michele Cerioni, Romina Baez, and Giada Gerotto, highly skilled headhunters and recruiters for the translation and localization industry.
Let's take a closer look!
Discover new opportunities following the tips provided by Michele Cerioni, Romina Baez, and Giada Gerotto, highly skilled headhunters and recruiters for the translation and localization industry.
Let's take a closer look!
1. Localization Engineer
The role of a Localization Engineer is crucial when it comes to adapting software, websites, and digital content to different languages and regions.
Their responsibilities include extracting translatable content, preparing files for translators, addressing technical issues that may arise during localization, and integrating localized content back into the product.
Their responsibilities include extracting translatable content, preparing files for translators, addressing technical issues that may arise during localization, and integrating localized content back into the product.
That’s why Giada Gerotto, Vendor Manager at Creative Words, thinks that this role “is a real need”, due to the specific skills that are required in the translation industry.
For Michele Cerioni, Head Hunter for Language Services at Adaptive Globalization, this “technical role is still among the most highly paid in the industry”.
According to Michele in this position, one does not get paid much more than in Project Management roles, but “technical roles tend to be well-paid in the higher seniority levels”, thanks to the skills required and market demand.
According to Michele in this position, one does not get paid much more than in Project Management roles, but “technical roles tend to be well-paid in the higher seniority levels”, thanks to the skills required and market demand.
In terms of salary, the annual average pay for a Localization Engineer in the U.S., for example, varies between $90,000 and $110,000, while in Italy, for example, it ranges from €30,000 to €36,000.
Tip: If you already have some level of familiarity with localization and you want to gain extra skills, you could go deeper into the fascinating field of User Experience by following our course “UX & Localization”.
2. Business Development Manager
Michele Cerioni thinks that this role is among the best-paid in the industry, along with the commercial ones.
That’s why the role provides opportunities for professionals who are skilled at negotiation, communication, and understanding the intricacies of the localization sector.
Speaking of salary, the annual average for a BDM in the U.S. typically ranges from $110,000 to $130,000, depending on experience and location, while in Italy it is comparatively lower, with a range between €40,000 and €60,000 annually.
A Business Development Manager in the translation industry is responsible for driving sales, expanding market reach, and growing revenue by identifying and securing new business opportunities.
That’s why the role provides opportunities for professionals who are skilled at negotiation, communication, and understanding the intricacies of the localization sector.
3. Sales Director
Among the best-paid jobs advised by Michele Cerioni and Giada Gerotto, there’s also that of Sales Director. In particular, Giada claims that “this is one of the most sought-after jobs”.
A Sales Director oversees the sales team, develops strategies to drive revenue growth, and expands the customer base. They set sales goals, monitor performance, and collaborate with internal teams to align products with market demands.
Just to give you an idea of what an annual salary could be, we could say that in the U.S. it ranges around $205,000 per year for senior roles, while in Italy we’re talking about €85,000 to €90,000, depending on experience and location.
For Michele, this is due to the basic salary component combined with commissions, which can make even junior profiles have significant gains at an early stage in their careers.
4. Localization Manager and Project Manager
These two roles aim to ensure that translation projects are completed efficiently and to high standards. They manage translation teams, which may include translators, editors, and proofreaders making sure that everything meets quality standards and client specifications before delivering.
In addition, they allocate resources, including selecting appropriate translators and managing budgets.
In addition, they allocate resources, including selecting appropriate translators and managing budgets.
They also communicate with clients to understand their needs and provide updates on project progress. Very often they are also responsible for internationalization, globalization, and go to market strategies in global companies.
For Romina Baez, Localization Talent Recruiter at International Achievers Group, salaries in these positions are “a good option for those looking to leverage their skills while climbing a step up in their career”.
Moreover, according to Michele’s opinion, in these roles, we could earn 20% to 30% more compared to the BDM for example, but he also adds that “this may vary in terms of responsibilities and specific requirements, size of the organization or location”.
5. Freelance Translators
As you may already know, a freelance translator works independently to convert written content from one language to another, considering culture, linguistics, and more. This type of professional works both with translation agencies and direct clients that match their expertise and fields of specialization.
We don’t have an average annual salary, since this depends on many variables such as language combinations, specialization, clients, location, degree of expertise, and more.
One of the most crucial aspects to consider is avoiding the temptation to undervalue your services: recognize the worth of your time, expertise, and experience, and price accordingly.
One of the most crucial aspects to consider is avoiding the temptation to undervalue your services: recognize the worth of your time, expertise, and experience, and price accordingly.
Tip: If you are a freelancer and you struggle with time management but are trying to boost your productivity we have the perfect solution for you, our course “Effective Time Management for Translators”.
And if you want to learn how to attract new clients, do not miss the FREE course “Strategies to Boost your Client Base”.
6. Program Manager
Another role in the translation industry that Romina suggested among the most paid ones is that of Program Manager.
“The Program Manager is usually assigned to multiple projects, which opens the path to gaining more expertise in a shorter period. Additionally, when on the vendor side, this role comes with increased client exposure, which means polishing key skills such as communication, presentations, and negotiation. If the Program Manager is lucky enough, they may even get indirectly mentored by managers in top 500 companies".
“The Program Manager is usually assigned to multiple projects, which opens the path to gaining more expertise in a shorter period. Additionally, when on the vendor side, this role comes with increased client exposure, which means polishing key skills such as communication, presentations, and negotiation. If the Program Manager is lucky enough, they may even get indirectly mentored by managers in top 500 companies".
Moreover, the Program Manager must identify opportunities to improve workflows, tools, and processes for better project outcomes. Also, they track the performance of translation programs using KPIs, reporting to senior management or clients.
When it comes to salary here, we could say that in the U.S. a Program Manager could earn between $85,000 and $130,000 per year, while in Italy, the average salary for a Program Manager in the translation industry goes between €45,000 and €75,000, depending on factors like experience, company size, and the complexity of the role.
Last but not least, if you love this industry and you’re particularly fascinated about becoming a Project or Localization Manager, we have the perfect solution for you, our Localization Management Academy where you can find specific courses about the topic, or the Online Localization Management Program that aims to take your professional career to the next level in the translation industry.
7. Tips to get them
If you want to get the job of your dreams, start checking open positions on websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor, or you can send your spontaneous application to translation companies that may match your profile and needs.
Furthermore, you can read our blogpost "The Definitive Guide to Landing a Job in Translation - 2024 Edition", where we share with you a list of websites to find a job in the translation industry, and other useful tips to enhance your job research.
And one of the best ways to find a better job in the industry is to continue learning. Check best TranslaStars coming courses to continue with your professional development.
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