Job prospects Sign Language Interpreter in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "sign language interpreter" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Translators, terminologists and interpreters (NOC 51114) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Translation and interpretation services
• Federal government

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Requirement for all federal institutions to provide services and communication in English and French
• Significant demand to meet the needs of newcomers and to support the province’s large global business base
• Availability of advanced translation software may moderate the demand for some translation services over the long term

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Only certified members of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) can use the designation “Certified”

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• Self-employment and freelance work through translation and interpretation agencies are common in this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Translators, terminologists and interpreters in Ontario:

• Approximately 4,350 people work in this occupation.
• Translators, terminologists and interpreters mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 60%
  • Federal government public administration (NAICS 911): 8%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 55% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 45% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 53% of translators, terminologists and interpreters work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• 54% of translators, terminologists and interpreters are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 28% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 72% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 12% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 42% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "sign language interpreter" Translators, terminologists and interpreters (NOC 51114) or across Canada.

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