Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Translation & Interpretation Services
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Translation & Interpretation Services Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Written translators translate technical or general business documents from one language to another. Translation services also include the localization of products, services, and websites for international use. Interpreters provide in-person oral translation from one language to another during business transactions, interviews, and other engagements.
This Report Includes:
- Translation Services
- Interpretation Services
Not in this Report:
- Language Schooling Services
- Foreign Language Training Software
Global Translation & Interpretation Services Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Translation & Interpretation Services market.
Warning Trends
United States announces additional tariffs on China
- In February 2025, the United States announced 10.0% tariffs on imports from China. The tariffs took effect on February 4, 2025.
- The tariff plan applies to all merchandise imported for consumption and applies in addition to other duties and fees that are in place, with limited exceptions.
- In response, China announced a 15.0% tariff on products such as coal and natural gas, as well as a 10.0% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks, and large cars. The tariff executive orders indicate retaliatory tariffs could lead to further escalation in rates.
- Providers in this market rely on inputs often sourced from China. As such, ProcurementIQ will continue to monitor developments in this space and update analysis accordingly.
United States postpones plans for sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico
- In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.
- Though initially set to take effect on February 4, 2025, the implementation of tariffs on Canada and Mexico has been postponed 30 days to allow for further negotiation.
- The tariff plan initially proposed by the US applies to all merchandise imported for consumption and applies in addition to other duties or fees that are in place, with limited exceptions.
- Providers in this market rely on input costs often sourced from an affected country. As such, ProcurementIQ will continue to monitor developments in this space and update analysis accordingly.
Neutral
Labor markets tighten slightly following interest rate cuts
- In recent months, the unemployment rate has remained stable at 4.1%, a still relatively low mark, though higher than it was in prior years. This trend indicates sustained competitiveness in the overall labor market, though certain industries have experienced waning labor demand.
- The latest jobs report indicates that major industries, such as construction, retail, leisure & hospitality, and transportation & warehousing, no longer face hiring shortfalls.
- However, worker shortages persist in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors, as 29.9% and 50.0% of job openings in each sector remained unfilled in August, respectively.
- In blue-collar fields, 33.9%, 70.1%, and 49.9% of job openings for information, finance, and professional service roles remained unfilled in September, though unfilled positions in these occupations can also be partially attributed to the longer average hiring times in these industries.
Global Translation & Interpretation Services Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1China | 88,200 |
| #2Europe | 67,585 |
| #3United States | 62,690 |
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Geography Drilldown - US, Canada & Europe
Average Cost of Translation & Interpretation Services
United States
2025 Market Pricing$15.00 to $XXX.XX
per hourCanada
Europe
Average Price
Prices in the Translation & Interpretation Services market range from $15.00 to $XXX.XX, depending on Number of Words, Length of Interpretation Time, Turnaround Time, Complexity of Subject Matter and Language Combination. For example, lower prices are associated with More words (price per word), whereas higher prices are associated with Fewer words (price per word).
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Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.
Translation & Interpretation Services Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Translation & Interpretation Services market, prices in the US have declined 0.0% from 2022 to 2025. and +3.3% in Europe.
United States (2022-2025)
0.0%
Compound Annual Growth RateCanada (2021-2024)
4.8%
Compound Annual Growth RateEurope (2022-2025)
3.3%
Compound Annual Growth RateWondering where prices are heading?
Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Translation & Interpretation Services
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Translation & Interpretation Services market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs.
Negotiated Before
Pre-evaluation
Billed During
Travel
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2025, buyer power amounts to 1.0 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Price Driver Volatility. It is most negatively impacted by Market Share Concentration. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Canada
Europe
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as Low, which has a positive impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Computer & Packaged Software Wholesalers
- Computer & Packaged Software Wholesalers
- IT Consulting Firms
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Computer Manufacturers
- Software Publishers
- Internet Service Providers
Biggest Translation & Interpretation Services Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Translation & Interpretation Services vendors by revenue in the US are Publicis Groupe SA, Welocalize and Cyracom International Inc. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TransPerfect Translations Inc. | Global | New York, NY | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. | Global | Waltham, MA | 1,001-10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Publicis Groupe SA | Global | Paris, FR | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Teleperformance S.A. | Global | Paris, FR | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| Rws Holdings Plc | Global | Chalfont Saint Peter, UK | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Welocalize | Global | Frederick, MD | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Cyracom International Inc | National | Tucson, AZ | 1,001-10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Language Services Associates Inc. | Global | Horsham, PA | 101-250 | < 5 | ||||
Looking for a list of suppliers by country?
Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Translation & Interpretation Services market is 9.4% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Purchases. The cost trend for this component is rising, when considering movement between 2024 and 2025. To understand cost forecasts for 2026 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
Low market share concentration benefits buyers because suppliers must compete over market share, thus ensuring low prices and high-quality service.
Average vendor financial risk is moderate, which does not have a major impact on buyer power. Nevertheless, buyers should analyze vendor financials if they wish to enter into a long-term contract because supplier bankruptcy could disrupt service and lead to financial losses for the buyer.
Supply chain risk is low because vendors require few physical inputs. The low level of supply chain risk boosts buyer power by giving vendors more flexibility in terms of pricing and reducing the risk of price shifts.
The United States is a net importer of computers, importing more than it exports. However, this does not affect the provision of translation and interpretation services as computers are infrequently purchased by translation and interpretation companies.
Supplier Information
Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.
Lionbridge Technologies, Inc. is a private company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include translation & interpretation services. Founded in 1996, the company is currently headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America... Subscribe to learn more
TransPerfect Translations Inc.
TransPerfect Translations Inc. is a private company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include translation & interpretation services. Founded in 1992, the company is currently headquartered in New York, New York, United States of America... Subscribe to learn more
Language Services Associates Inc.
Language Services Associates Inc. is a private company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include translation & interpretation services. Founded in 1991, the company is currently headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, United States of... Subscribe to learn more
Cyracom International Inc
Cyracom International Inc. is a private company operating nationally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include translation & interpretation services. Founded in 1995, the company is currently headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, United States of America with... Subscribe to learn more
Welocalize
Welocalize is a private company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include translation & interpretation services. Founded in 1997, the company is currently headquartered in Frederick, Maryland, United States of America with an estimated... Subscribe to learn more
Rws Holdings Plc
Rws Holdings Plc is a public company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include translation & interpretation services. Founded in 1982, the company is currently headquartered in Chalfont Saint Peter, United Kingdom with an estimated 5500... Subscribe to learn more
Teleperformance S.A.
Teleperformance S.A. is a public company operating in the professional, scientific and technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include technical support & help desk services, telephone support services and translation & interpretation... Subscribe to learn more
Publicis Groupe SA
Publicis Groupe SA is a public company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services and educational services sectors. The company's offerings include marketing consulting services, search engine marketing services, direct mail advertising services, social media management services,... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Translation & Interpretation Services Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Average Response Time and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT). Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Qualifications and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Response Time | Average response time Average resolution time | Buyers can assess the vendor’s level of customer support by looking at the vendor’s average response time and average resolution time. Low average response times and average resolution times signify a high level of customer support. | |
| Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) | Customer satisfaction ratio Customer complaints | Measures of customer satisfaction can be used to determine whether the vendor is providing quality service. Buyers can assess customer satisfaction by looking at the customer satisfaction ratio and the number of customer complaints. | |
Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Quality Control
How do you internally audit the quality of your work?
How many translators review a document prior to it being returned to the client?
Experience and Expertise
What are your criteria for employment?
On average, how many years of experience do your translators have?
Specialization
What type of subject matter do you specialize in translating?
Have you experienced a shortage in medical translation or interpretation capacity due to the coronavirus pandemic?
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Translation & Interpretation Services RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should describe their line of business.
Buyers should describe the basic services requested (e.g., translation, interpretation or both) and their purpose.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should list the specific types of services requested (e.g., written translation, in-person interpretation, phone interpretation, website localization).
Buyers should list the type and estimated quantity of documents to be translated or the length of time for which interpretation services are needed.
Project Budget
Buyers should specify their budget, if possible.
Buyers should list payment schedules.
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We display average pricing information, trends and market data.
Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
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- Geographic wage rates
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- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
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