Choosing a career in ASL interpreting is a meaningful decision, and it’s natural to wonder whether the time, cost, and effort of a degree will lead to work that truly matters, since your answer will shape both your future and the people you serve.
For many students, interpreting becomes a calling, a way to serve the Deaf community and help others take part in conversations they might otherwise miss. That spirit of service shapes the Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language Interpreting at North Central University, where you’ll prepare for the field in a faith-rooted, Christ-centered community.
To make a confident choice, it helps to understand what interpreters do, how the career outlook and earning potential come together, and what it takes to become certified.
What does an ASL interpreter do?
An ASL interpreter helps deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing people communicate with hearing people by translating between American Sign Language and spoken English. Because more than 50 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss,¹ that skill is needed in nearly every part of public life, from classrooms and hospitals to courtrooms and workplaces.
ASL is its own language with its own grammar and structure, so a skilled interpreter carries the full meaning, tone, and cultural context of a message so both parties understand each other clearly. Because that skill travels across environments, interpreters serve in many settings:
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals and clinics
- Courts and legal offices
- Community and government services
- Video relay services
- Worship services and performing arts
Across these settings, the work blends language skills with genuine human connection, helping people reach information, services, and relationships they might not access on their own.
Is an ASL interpreting degree worth it?
For students who want meaningful, people-centered work and value steady demand for skilled professionals, an ASL interpreting degree is well worth it. The field continues to add openings each year, with about 6,900 openings for interpreters and translators projected annually, which points to lasting opportunity for prepared professionals.²
The benefits become clearer when you look at what the path offers:
- Meaningful work. You create access and connection for the Deaf community, and for many students, that service becomes part of a larger calling to love and serve others well.
- Steady demand. Qualified, certified interpreters remain in demand across many regions, creating real opportunities for those who prepare well.
- Flexible paths. Staff positions, freelance work, and remote video relay options let you shape a career that fits your life.
- A rewarding journey. Earning certification and building experience takes time, and that investment steadily grows your skill, your confidence, and your value to employers.
The demand behind that opportunity deserves a closer look, along with what interpreters can expect to earn.
What is the career outlook for ASL interpreters?
Demand for qualified ASL interpreters stays encouraging, because schools, healthcare systems, and video relay services continue to need skilled professionals who can bridge communication between Deaf and hearing communities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of interpreters and translators is projected to grow about 2% from 2024 to 2034.² Most of those openings come from the ongoing need to replace interpreters who retire or move into other roles, which keeps the door open for you as you prepare to enter the field.
That need shows up most clearly in a few growing areas:
- Educational interpreting in K-12 schools and universities
- Medical and legal settings where accuracy is critical
- Remote video relay services that connect callers across distances
Build strong credentials and real-world practice, and you’ll be well-positioned to step into these roles as they open, whether you see the work as a career, a ministry, or both.
How much can ASL interpreters earn?
According to the BLS, the median annual wage for interpreters and translators was $59,440 in May 2024, with the lowest 10% earning less than $35,630 and the highest 10% earning more than $99,830.³ Where you land in that range depends on a few factors you can shape over time.
Experience. Earnings tend to rise as you move from entry-level assignments to specialized work, because years of practice build both skill and earning power.
Setting. Federal, legal, and medical roles tend to sit toward the higher end of the pay range, since these high-stakes assignments call for advanced skill and precision.
Location. Areas with larger Deaf populations and higher costs of living tend to pay more, so urban and metro regions often offer both stronger demand and higher wages.
Certification. Specialty credentials can qualify you for higher-paying assignments, because certification signals your professionalism and competence to employers and clients alike.
Whatever you earn along the way, many interpreters find the real reward is what the work makes possible: connection for people who might otherwise be left out of the conversation.
How you can get certified as an ASL interpreter
Certification is what turns strong language skills into professional readiness, and it’s the milestone most employers look for. Reaching it takes preparation and steady effort, and the payoff is the trust that clients and the Deaf community place in a qualified interpreter.
For students who see this work as a form of service, that trust is worth the commitment. Here’s how the path typically unfolds for you.
- Build fluency in ASL and English. Strong skills in both American Sign Language and spoken English form the foundation, and most interpreters spend years developing that fluency before entering professional work.
- Complete an interpreter preparation degree. A bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language interpreting, sometimes called an interpreter preparation program, teaches you the craft of interpreting, so you learn message transfer, ethical decision-making, and real-world practice.
- Gain supervised practice. Observation and mentored interpreting help you apply what you learn, which is why many programs include internships or practicum hours.
- Pursue national certification. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the national certifying body, and certification shows employers and clients that you meet professional standards.⁴
Because certified interpreters are stronger candidates for staff positions, freelance contracts, and specialized assignments, it pays to choose a program that prepares you in the RID Code of Professional Conduct and ethical decision-making.
Start your ASL interpreting journey at North Central University
An ASL interpreting degree can lead to work that’s both practical and meaningful. The program you choose shapes that experience, from the quality of your training to the people who support you along the way. At North Central University, you’ll study interpreting within a Christ-centered community, where the work stays connected to faith, service, and calling.
The Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language Interpreting is the only fully self-contained interpreter training degree program among Assemblies of God colleges. You’ll study Deaf culture and ASL, train in the RID Code of Professional Conduct and ethical decision-making, and can add a Deaf Culture Studies minor or take part in the ASL Honor Society.
The downtown Minneapolis campus sits near the churches, schools, and organizations that depend on interpreters, putting internships and ministry opportunities close at hand while you study. As you plan your next step, you can also look into tuition and financial aid options.
To learn more about the ASL interpreting degree, connect with admissions and take the next step toward your work as an interpreter.
FAQs about becoming an ASL interpreter
Will AI replace ASL interpreters?
AI tools can support communication, but they cannot yet match a skilled human interpreter’s grasp of nuance, culture, and context. The Deaf community values human connection, and demand for qualified interpreters remains strong.
How long does it take to become an ASL interpreter?
Most interpreters build fluency and complete a degree over several years, then add supervised practice before earning certification. Your timeline depends on your language background and the program you choose.
Is ASL interpreting a good option for a career change?
Yes. ASL interpreting suits people who value communication, cultural understanding, and flexible, people-focused work, and many career-changers bring life experience that strengthens their interpreting.
