NZSTI Rates Survey

The New Zealand Society of Translators & Interpreters (NZSTI) conducted its first national survey in late 2024 to better understand current rates charged by translators and interpreters and working conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand. The survey was open to all translators and interpreters working in Aotearoa New Zealand, regardless of NZSTI membership.

By regularly running this survey and publishing the results, NZSTI aims to provide accurate information regarding rates and working conditions and address the following aspects:

• Fairness & transparency: This research can help translators and interpreters – the majority of whom are freelance – establish what they consider to be fair compensation, and inform clients about expected costs.
• Informed decisions: This survey documents prices previously charged by translators and interpreters. As such, this historical data can help both new and established translators and interpreters to make informed business decisions and set their rates more confidently. Note that the prices shown in the report are for information purposes only and translators and interpreters are free to set their own rates.
• Benchmarking & trends: Collecting this data will create a baseline for future comparisons and identify industry trends.
• Raising awareness: This research provides a platform for translators and interpreters in Aotearoa to voice their challenges and concerns, leading to a better understanding of the industry and allowing more effective support by NZSTI.

Ethical and Competition Aspects

Participation in this survey is voluntary, confidential, and anonymous. No email address or direct identifier (e.g. name or mailing address) is collected. Data is held confidentially and stored securely, and is not directly reviewed by members of the NZSTI Council or the rates survey project group, to ensure respondents’ anonymity. NZSTI has contracted an independent research consultant, Dr Thanos Kyritsis, to handle and analyse the raw data, ensuring the scientific validity of the survey and reports. Data is collected solely for the above research purposes and not shared with other third parties.

A report summarising overall data trends and aggregated findings will be published by NZSTI in summer 2024. Similar languages will be grouped together, whenever necessary, and no individuals will be identified in the report. NZSTI has taken legal advice to ensure that this survey is in line with Commerce Commission requirements. It is similar to surveys undertaken by the New Zealand Law Society and other professional associations.

The report generated from this survey will be exclusively used for the research purposes outlined above and made available to NZSTI members. A shorter report will be made available for the public to view on this website. The full version will also be available to purchase by the public.