Post-editing: a profitable career path?
The earnings of machine translation post-editors (MTPEs) compared to traditional translators can vary depending on several factors. Still, in general, MT post-editors tend to earn less per word or project than traditional translators. This is because post-editing is less time-consuming than full human translation, especially when the machine translation output is of reasonably good quality. However, there are important factors to consider:
Factors Influencing MT Post-Editors’ Pay vs. Traditional Translators’ Pay
1. Time and Effort:
– Machine translation post-editing is often considered less labour-intensive than translating a document from scratch, particularly when the machine output is high-quality. As a result, MTPE rates are often lower, but post-editors may be able to complete projects more quickly, potentially compensating for the lower rate or even earning more by the hour.
– In cases where the machine translation output is poor, however, the amount of work required to correct the text can be significant, leading to debates in the industry over whether MTPE rates are fairly aligned with the effort required.
2. Pricing Models:
– Traditional translators are usually paid per word, per project, or by the hour. MT post-editors are often paid similarly, but the per-word rate for post-editing tends to be lower than for full human translation. For example, while a translator might charge $0.10 to $0.20 per word for a traditional translation, MT post-editing rates might range from $0.03 to $0.10 per word, depending on the language pair, specialisation, and quality of the MT output.
– However, post-editors may be able to handle a larger volume of work in the same amount of time, given that they’re correcting rather than creating the translation from scratch.
3. Quality of Machine Translation:
– When machine translation quality is high, post-editors can process content more quickly, making it easier to handle more projects in less time, which can balance out the lower per-word rate.
– Conversely, if the MT output is poor, post-editors may spend as much time as they would on a traditional translation, but for a lower rate. This can affect their overall earnings and has led some translators to resist working on post-editing projects without higher compensation.
4. Specialization and Skills:
MT post-editors require a specialized skill set. They must be proficient in the source and target languages and familiar with how machine translation systems work and the common errors they produce. This has led some companies to offer competitive rates to attract highly skilled post-editors, particularly in specialised fields like legal, medical, or technical translation.
– Specialised content often commands higher rates, whether for post-editing or traditional translation, so post-editors working in these fields may earn rates comparable to traditional translators. As for many other services, specialization is the key to success.
5. Regional and Industry Variations
Rates and earnings can also vary significantly based on the geographic region and the specific industry. For example, post-editors in higher-demand languages or those with advanced technical skills might earn more. Similarly, industries like medical or legal translation often require a higher level of accuracy and subject matter expertise, which can drive up post-editing rates.
Earning Potential Over Time
Although the per-word rates for MT post-editing may be lower than traditional translation, the growing demand for MTPE services means that translators who embrace this technology and develop the necessary skills can take on a higher volume of work. Over time, this translates into higher overall earnings for post-editors, particularly if they can handle large batches of content generated by machine translation efficiently.
Like many other occupations, creating an effective workflow that maximizes word output while maintaining the desired quality standards requires some experience. In this regard, specialization speeds up post-editing significantly in addition to commanding greater fees.
A rule of thumb
A translator working from scratch typically translates 250 to 500 words per hour, whereas post-editors can manage 600 to 1,200 words per hour. Assuming, for the sake of simplicity, that post-editing output is double that of regular translation, post-editing can be as lucrative as traditional translation at 50% cheaper rates.
Conclusion
In general, MT post-editors earn less per word than traditional translators, but the potential for handling higher volumes of work can make up for the difference. Post-editors who specialise in high-demand industries or languages or are adept at working with machine translation tools may find that MTPE can be a profitable career path, especially as the demand for machine-assisted translation services continues to grow.