Job prospects American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29^th, 2023. Learn more about outlooks.

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 an "American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter" Translators, terminologists and interpreters (NOC 51114) or across Canada.

Learn more