Reasonability of wages for UK-based in-house translators

RobinB wrote:

Far too many translators are essentially quite good at translating, but think the details don't matter. Many's a good translation that's been totally ruined by a lack of attention to detail.

there are jobs for someone with your experience in Paris. Try Ernst & Young, Deloitte, PriceWaterhouse and the other one whose name I've forgotten.

Mark Smith wrote:

Dear all,

I just wanted to see what the general consensus on this topic. I am currently applying to many different translation firms, and I am seeing emerge a quite jolting pattern of appallingly low remuneration, not only for trainees, coming straight from a Masters degree in translation (like myself), but even for higher grades with industry experience.

I will give an example. In one company they are offering £14k for graduates such as myself with no industry experience, £16k-£20k for those with 1-2 years experience, then £20k-£24k for those with 4-6 years experience.

At this point I have to be perfectly honest – I could earn the same amount as the pay band that I am eligible for doing a temporary clerical job with one hand tied behind my back! I strongly believe that my skills are worth more than £14k per annum, despite my beginner status. If I only had a languages degree, I could see their point, but I have learnt a great deal on my Masters about the industry, project management and CAT software, as well as having a far better grasp of the art of translation than someone untrained, who can merely speak the language.

Furthermore, I find it disgusting than the highest pay band for translators in this particular company (and I daresay it’s similar elsewhere) only peaks at £24k. Had I quit education after my undergraduate course, I could now easily be earning that much on any number of graduate recruitment schemes. Why should it be the case that translators, who possess such a relatively rare and valuable skill, are not reasonably compensated for this? Since we are always hearing about the collapse in numbers studying languages in Britain, how can graduates be so undervalued?

I do not regret taking my MA at Leeds, as I feel in a far stronger position now, vis-à-vis having the necessary skills to work in the industry. Nonetheless, I have incurred another large slice of debt to be in this position, and now I expect my remuneration to reflect this sacrifice and compensate me accordingly. Am I being unreasonable in this? Furthermore, it is preposterous that many Project Manager positions in our industry pay more at entry level than trainee translator ones. I have to be honest, this is one of the hardest decisions of my entire life, as I’m just not sure I can afford to be in the translation industry. I find this a very sad reflection.

If you have any thoughts on the points I raise in the above then I’d like to hear from you. Also, if anyone knows of the names of any firms who pay more reasonably, then I would appreciate the information.

Thanks,
Mark Smith