High paying interpreter jobs with the military in California?

I have strong language skills and was wondering about high-paying interpreter roles with the military, particularly in California. What languages are most in demand, and are these jobs easily accessible?

In the military, linguistic skills are always in demand, particularly for languages deemed as strategic, like Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Mandarin, and Korean. The pay for these roles can indeed be substantial especially when combining base pay with potential bonuses, Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB), and other allowances.

Language roles within the military are usually facilitated through the Defense Language Institute (DLI), located in Monterey, California. The DLI provides comprehensive language training for military personnel. It's worth noting, however, that to be a military linguist, you'd need to enlist in one of the branches of the military.

Once enlisted, if you're deemed to have the aptitude for language learning (usually determined via the Defense Language Aptitude Battery), you could be sent to DLI for training in a specific language. Bear in mind that the military typically chooses the language for you based on the current strategic needs.

Alternatively, there are also opportunities as a civilian working for the military or other federal agencies like the NSA, using your language skills. These roles might be as a language instructor, analyst, or interpreter. For these roles, you would apply just as for any other job and go through a competitive selection process. The requirements typically include high-level fluency in a foreign language along with other qualifying criteria such as education and experience.

Good luck on your journey with the military!