Translation services in the USA typically cost between $0.08 and $0.15 per word, depending on language pair, subject matter, and quality level. Per-page pricing is less common today but usually ranges from $20 to $150 per page, depending on word count and complexity. The real cost comes down to what you’re translating, how accurate it needs to be, and where it will be used.
Translation Pricing at a Glance
Per-word pricing is the industry standard (most transparent and scalable)
Expect $0.08–$0.14 per word for professional human translation in the USA
Certified, legal, or technical translations cost more
Per-page pricing can be misleading (pages vary wildly in word count)
Transparent providers show exact rates upfront — no hidden fees
Why Translation Costs Confuse So Many Buyers
I see this all the time.
A business owner gets three quotes for the same document — and the prices aren’t even close. One says $60. Another says $240. A third won’t even give a number without a call.
So what’s going on?
Here’s the truth most agencies don’t spell out clearly: translation pricing isn’t arbitrary — but it is layered. Quality level, specialization, turnaround time, and usage rights all affect the final cost.
Once you understand the mechanics, the pricing starts to make sense.
Let’s break it down properly.
How Much Do Translation Services Cost Per Word in the USA?
Per-word pricing is the most accurate and widely used model in the U.S. translation industry. It aligns cost with effort and avoids the ambiguity of page-based pricing.
Typical U.S. Translation Rates (2026)
Translation Level
Average Cost Per Word
Best For
Standard
$0.08 – $0.09
General content, emails, internal use
Professional
$0.11 – $0.12
Websites, product info, hospitality
Expert
$0.13 – $0.15+
Legal, medical, technical, SEO
At ANA Lokalize, pricing is fully transparent and published upfront:
Standard: $0.081/word
Professional: $0.114/word
Expert: $0.134/word
No hidden fees. No vague “starting at” language.
And that matters more than people realize.
What Does “Per Page” Translation Pricing Really Mean?
Per-page pricing still exists mostly for certified translations, resumes, or immigration documents but it’s often misunderstood.
The Problem With Per-Page Pricing
A “page” can mean:
250 words (double-spaced)
500 words (single-spaced)
1,000+ words (dense legal formatting)
That’s why reputable agencies quietly calculate per-page quotes based on word count anyway.
At ANA Lokalize, per-page examples are shown clearly so buyers know exactly what they’re paying for:
Document Type
Standard
Professional
Expert
Resume (250 words)
$20.75
$35.75
$43.25
Press Release (300 words)
$24.90
$42.90
$51.90
Website (3,000 words)
$249
$429
$519
User Manual (5,000 words)
$415
$714
$865
That level of clarity is rare and intentional.
Why Translation Prices Vary So Much (Even for the Same Word Count)
Here’s where most people get tripped up.
Two documents can be the same length but cost very different amounts.
The 5 Biggest Factors That Affect Translation Cost
1. Language Pair
English → Spanish is cheaper than English → Icelandic or Amharic. Scarcity matters.
2. Subject Matter
Legal, medical, financial, and technical translations require specialized translators and multi-step review, increasing cost.
3. Quality Level
A marketing brochure isn’t handled the same way as a compliance document or USCIS submission.
4. Turnaround Time
Rush jobs require reallocating translator capacity — that affects pricing.
5. Intended Use
Internal reference vs. public publication vs. legal submission — usage risk changes everything.
This is why cheap translation often becomes expensive later.
Is Machine Translation Cheaper? Yes. Is It Safe? Not Always.
Post-edited machine translation (PEMT) can reduce costs for high-volume, low-risk content — but it’s not a blanket solution.
I’ve seen businesses use raw machine translation for:
Legal disclaimers
Medical instructions
Contract clauses
That’s where things go sideways.
ANA Lokalize offers post-edited machine translation only when appropriate, and only with human oversight — not blind automation.
Certified Translation Costs in the USA
Certified translations (for immigration, courts, universities) are priced differently because liability and formatting requirements are higher.
Expect:
$20–$50 per page for short documents
Pricing based on word count, not just page count
Certification statements included
If a provider won’t explain what “certified” actually means — that’s a red flag.
Real-World Example: Why Cheap Translation Backfires
A U.S. ecommerce brand once brought us product descriptions translated overseas at $0.03/word.
On paper, it looked like a win.
In reality:
Product claims were mistranslated
Warranty terms were legally inaccurate
They paid twice once for the cheap translation, and again to fix it.
That’s not uncommon.
How to Calculate Your Translation Cost Accurately
Here’s the simplest way to estimate:
Word Count × Quality Level Rate = Base Cost
Example:
2,000-word website
Professional quality ($0.114/word)
2,000 × $0.114 = $228
Transparent. Predictable. No surprises.
What Makes ANA Lokalize’s Pricing Different?
Most agencies hide pricing behind forms and sales calls.
ANA Lokalize doesn’t.
Published per-word rates
Clear quality tiers
Real examples by document type
No minimum surprises (100-word minimum disclosed upfront)
That’s not accidental. It’s trust-driven.
People Also Ask
How much does translation cost per word in the USA?
Professional translation in the USA typically costs $0.08–$0.15 per word, depending on language pair, subject matter, and quality level. Specialized or certified translations fall on the higher end.
Is per-word or per-page translation pricing better?
Per-word pricing is more accurate and transparent. Per-page pricing can be misleading because page word counts vary widely.
Why are legal and medical translations more expensive?
They require subject-matter expertise, strict terminology accuracy, and multi-step quality assurance increasing time and risk.
Are cheap translation services worth it?
Often no. Poor translations can cause legal issues, brand damage, and rework costs that exceed professional rates.
How can I estimate my translation cost quickly?
Count your words and multiply by the per-word rate. Transparent providers publish these rates upfront.
FAQs: Translation Services Cost in the USA
How much do translation services cost per word in the USA?
Translation services in the USA typically cost $0.08 to $0.15 per word. Pricing depends on the language pair, content complexity, subject matter, and quality level required. Legal, medical, and technical translations usually cost more due to specialization and review requirements.
Is per-word or per-page translation pricing better?
Per-word pricing is more accurate and transparent than per-page pricing. Page lengths vary widely, making per-page quotes misleading. Most professional translation companies calculate costs based on word count, even when presenting prices per page for documents like resumes or certificates.
Why do translation prices vary so much between companies?
Translation prices vary due to differences in translator expertise, quality control processes, subject-matter specialization, turnaround time, and language availability. Lower prices often involve machine translation or limited review, while higher prices usually include native translators and multi-step quality assurance.
How much does certified translation cost in the USA?
Certified translation in the USA usually costs $20 to $50 per page, depending on word count and document type. Pricing reflects certification requirements, formatting standards, and legal accountability, especially for immigration, academic, and court-related documents.
Are cheap translation services reliable for business use?
Cheap translation services are often unreliable for business use. They may contain errors, mistranslations, or cultural inaccuracies that harm credibility or create legal risk. Professional translation costs more upfront but helps prevent costly corrections, compliance issues, and brand damage later.
What factors affect the final cost of translation services?
Translation cost is affected by word count, language pair, subject matter, quality level, turnaround time, and intended use. Specialized content, rare languages, and urgent deadlines increase pricing, while general content and standard delivery timelines typically cost less.
Do translation companies charge a minimum fee?
Yes, most translation companies charge a minimum fee, commonly around 100 words, to cover project setup and quality control costs. This applies even to short documents and ensures professional handling regardless of project size.
