Poll: In 2026 so far, my overall income from language services is...
Penyiaran jaluran : ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
KAKITANGAN TAPAK
Jul 14

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "In 2026 so far, my overall income from language services is...".

This poll was originally submitted by Jared Tabor. View the poll results »



 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 10:52
Ahli (2007)
Bahasa Inggeris hingga Bahasa Portugis
+ ...
About the same as last year Jul 14

Meaning as bad as last year...

Karletto666
Chris Spurgin
Ian Keith Jones Williams
Danielle Crouch
Gianni Pastore
Alexandra Speirs
expressisverbis
 
Lieven Malaise
Lieven Malaise  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 11:52
Ahli (2020)
Bahasa Perancis hingga Bahasa Belanda
+ ...
Up Jul 14

Considering the first 6 months, it's slightly (about 1k) up compared to last year. No complaints so far.

[Bijgewerkt op 2026-07-14 09:57 GMT]


Luca Adie
 
Chris Spurgin
Chris Spurgin  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:52
Bahasa Rusia hingga Bahasa Inggeris
+ ...
Stable Jul 14

Stable so far, maybe slightly higher. Good luck to everyone.

 
Ian Keith Jones Williams
Ian Keith Jones Williams  Identity Verified
Sepanyol
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Perancis hingga Bahasa Inggeris
+ ...
Far worse Jul 14

I have only translated about 500 words this month so far, for instance, and I can see August being the same. My clients simply don't have work in my combinations at the moment. I am exploring other options to earn a living.

Josephine Cassar
Luca Adie
Aisha Maniar
Maria Laura Curzi
Harishankar Shahi
 
neilmac
neilmac
Sepanyol
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Sepanyol hingga Bahasa Inggeris
+ ...
About the same Jul 14

Although it might actually be up, but I don't really check on these things. I've had a very busy six months in 2026, and July is busy enough to stop me getting bored.

 
Li-Hsiang Hsu
Li-Hsiang Hsu  Identity Verified
Perancis
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Perancis hingga Bahasa Cina
+ ...
A little bit better Jul 14

I imagine that some clients realized finally AI is not what is boosted by token vendors. 😂

Zea_Mays
Luis M. Sosa
 
Danielle Crouch
Danielle Crouch  Identity Verified
Jerman
Local time: 11:52
Ahli (2019)
Bahasa Jerman hingga Bahasa Inggeris
+ ...
The same, but that's not good Jul 14

My income at this point in the year is about the same as last year, but my income last year was down a good 45% over the year before, so staying level still isn't good.

Maria Laura Curzi
 
Luca Adie
Luca Adie
Jerman
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Jerman hingga Bahasa Inggeris
+ ...
... Jul 14

This year has been one of my best so far, but the work has changed from long jobs with a reasonable deadline to anything between 700 and 4000 words needed back on the same day. I don't like working like this, but I'll do it until... until what I am asking myself. I have almost accepted that I'll have to make another career change for the next 20-30 years of working life, but to what, I do not know...

 
WolfgangS
WolfgangS
Perancis
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Inggeris hingga Bahasa Jerman
+ ...
A bit nosy Jul 14

aren't you?

 
Karletto666
Karletto666
Slovenia
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Inggeris hingga Bahasa Slovenia
+ ...
24/7 Jul 14

About the same. A misery.
I also noticed i have to be present 24/7. :rolleyes:


Maria Laura Curzi
 
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Oscar Núñez Alfaro  Identity Verified
Costa Rica
Local time: 03:52
Bahasa Inggeris hingga Bahasa Sepanyol
+ ...
About the same in compare to the last year! Jul 14

My income is still the same, but I have honestly worked much less. So, I cannot complain so far!

 
Down Jul 15

I am intrigued by the 7% who don’t know whether their earnings are up or down. I mean, wtf? How can you not keep records when you’re running a business?

Anyway, mine have shrunk further.


Kevin Clayton, PhD
Maria Laura Curzi
Michael Beijer
 
Zea_Mays
Zea_Mays  Identity Verified
Itali
Local time: 11:52
Bahasa Inggeris hingga Bahasa Jerman
+ ...
simple Jul 15

The Shredder wrote:

How can you not keep records when you’re running a business?



They don't run a business.


The Shredder
Maria Laura Curzi
Daryo
 
Michael Beijer
Michael Beijer  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:52
Ahli
Bahasa Belanda hingga Bahasa Inggeris
+ ...
10% up compared to last year Jul 17

Obviously, a lot has changed recently, what with all the AI stuff. However, I have been earning 5-10% more every year now for the past 10 years or so.

 


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Poll: In 2026 so far, my overall income from language services is...






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