Translation Rates Philippines: Etranslation Starting Prices

Etranslation’s price starts at $0.08 per source word for general content, with potential adjustments. Certification is $35 per certified document, while standard documents start at $30 per page. Remote interpreting starts at $60 an hour. These minimums reflect baseline charges rather than typical averages.

Your final quote depends on the language pair, the condition of the files, the deadline and any extras. For reference, translation rates Philippines vary by language, urgency, and document type. These factors determine the total cost beyond the stated minimums.

Most searches for translation rates Philippines end at a contact us button. We’d rather show our floor. We explain how pricing works and what can move the cost before you ask for a quote, so you can plan a realistic budget. This upfront clarity helps you compare options and avoid surprises later in the project.

Below are Etranslation’s starting prices for twelve services, in US dollars, with the unit each one is charged in and what that price covers. A starting price is the lowest we’ll take for the job. It isn’t an average, and plenty of real quotes land above it, so we also explain what moves the number.

A starting price is the lowest we’ll take for the job. It isn’t an average, and plenty of real quotes land above it, so we also explain what moves the number and how to work out your own budget before you ask.

Etranslation starting prices

Every price here is in US dollars and every one is a minimum. If a line says a job “may cost more”, that’s the stuff that lifts a quote above the floor, and we list it so you can see it coming.

SERVICE	PRICE STARTS AT (USD)	CHARGED	WHAT THE STARTING RATE COVERS
Translation (English and Tagalog, other languages)	$0.08	Per source word	General content. Specialized or less common language pairs may start higher, from $0.12 per source word.
Certified translation	$35	Per page	Includes a standard certificate of accuracy where required. Notarization, apostille, government fees and courier are extra.
Document translation (PSA, NBI, diplomas and similar)	$30	Per page	Standard documents with clear text. Dense, handwritten, urgent or complex multi-page files may cost more.
Consecutive interpretation	$75	Per hour	A minimum booking may apply. Travel, preparation and specialist subjects may cost extra.
Simultaneous interpretation	$120	Per hour, per interpreter	Team size, equipment, event length, preparation and travel may cost extra.
Remote interpretation	$60	Per hour	Minimum session length and specialist language pairs may affect the quote.
Transcription	$2.00	Per audio minute	Clear audio in a supported language. Poor audio, several speakers, timestamps and verbatim style may cost more.
Subtitling	$8.00	Per video minute	Standard subtitles in one language. Translation, SDH, complex timing and special formatting may cost extra.
Voiceover	$50	Per finished minute	Standard voiceover. Talent, studio, usage rights, revisions and language can change the final quote.
Localization and website translation	$0.12	Per source word	Website or digital content. Engineering, SEO, CMS integration and functional testing may be quoted separately.
Linguistic quality assurance (LQA)	$40	Per hour	Linguistic review. Scope, platform, testing environment and reporting needs can affect the quote.
Multilingual content	$0.12	Per source word	Translation or adaptation of existing content. Original writing, transcreation, SEO strategy and subject research may cost more.

 

What “price starts at” means here

Our stated rates represent our minimum threshold rather than a fixed fee, as final pricing depends on project parameters assessed during file review. A clear, editable document—such as a Word file requiring English to Tagalog translation under standard timelines—readily qualifies for the base rate. Conversely, source materials involving degraded scans, handwritten marginalia, or tight turnarounds will be quoted accordingly.

Standard service rates cover our professional linguistic work, while mandatory third-party disbursements are billed separately. This distinction is most relevant in certified document handling, where notary fees, apostilles, government filing charges, and physical shipping represent direct external costs. For interpreting assignments, project-specific variables such as travel, accommodations, and briefing preparation are factored into the comprehensive estimate.

Each written quote explicitly itemizes the metric of measurement and delineates covered services versus out-of-scope items. Estimates are generally delivered within an hour of file receipt, guaranteeing complete transparency and mutually agreed pricing before work begins.

Per word, per page or per document

When evaluating linguistic proposals, aligning the calculation metric is essential to ensure an accurate, like-for-like comparison. As recognized by the American Translators Association (ATA), professional rates are typically billed by source word, target word, or billable hour. We adhere strictly to source-word pricing: the scope is established directly from your original document, locking in project costs and eliminating post-translation volume fluctuations.

This approach aligns with translation rates Philippines and by using source-word pricing, it ties costs directly to your document’s content. It also supports budget control by avoiding shifts due to changes in volume, which can occur when work moves away from word-based billing. Clients appreciate the clarity and predictability this method delivers for project planning and approvals.

Our baseline translation fees start at $0.08 per source word. Technical domains and low-diffusion language combinations begin at $0.12 per source word. Official and statutory records follow distinct page-based tiers. Certified translations begin at $35 per page, inclusive of a signed Certificate of Accuracy. Standardized civil documents—PSA vital records, NBI clearances, and academic diplomas—start at $30 per page.

Because document structure and formatting vary substantially, from a single-page civil certificate to a multi-page contract. The precise billing metric is confirmed upon material review in your formal proposal. For reference, translation rates Philippines vary by document type and word count.

Website and marketing localization is billed under our source-word model starting at $0.12 per source word. Ancillary technical scope—such as string extraction, CMS integration, QA testing, or localization engineering—is evaluated and quoted as a distinct, itemized engagement.

Interpreting, audio and video

Interpreting services are billed on a time-committed model. Baseline rates begin at $60 per hour for remote assignments, $75 per hour for on-site consecutive interpreting, and $120 per hour per linguist for simultaneous interpreting. Extended sessions typically require multi-interpreter staffing to ensure cognitive endurance and accuracy; consequently, team composition, session duration, and required technical equipment are itemized directly in your proposal. Detailed breakdowns of interpreting modes and scheduling procedures can be reviewed on our Interpretation Services page.

Media localization and production are billed according to asset runtime:

• Transcription: From $2.00 / audio minute
• Subtitling: From $8.00 / video minute
• Voiceover: From $50.00 / finished minute (billed on delivered audio duration, not recording session time)

Pricing for transcription reflects the technical complexity of the source audio. A single-speaker studio interview qualifies directly for our base rate, while conversational recordings featuring multiple overlapping voices, strong room reverberation, or high background noise require specialized handling and will be quoted accordingly

Starting-price Live Examples

Option 1: Corporate & Proposal-Ready (Best for a formal pricing guide, rate sheet, or proposal appendix)

The following scenarios illustrate the baseline calculations underpinning our starting rates. These examples do not constitute formal quotes; project-specific variables may adjust the final fee. Every figure listed serves strictly as a pricing baseline:

• 1,000-Word English to Tagalog Business Letter: Baseline from $80.00 (calculated at $0.08 per source word).
• 5,000-Word English to Tagalog Corporate Report: Baseline from $400.00 (calculated at $0.08 per source word).
• Three Standard PSA Civil Records: Baseline from $90.00 (calculated at $30.00 per page for legible certificates).
• Two-Hour On-Site Consecutive Interpreting Session: Baseline from $150.00 (exclusive of travel disbursements, briefing preparation, or applicable minimum booking thresholds).
• 30-Minute High-Fidelity Audio Interview: Baseline from $60.00 (transcription calculated at $2.00 per audio minute).
• Five-Minute Video with Single-Language Subtitles: Baseline from $40.00 (calculated at $8.00 per video minute).
• 8,000-Word Website Localization: Baseline from $960.00 (calculated at $0.12 per source word; engineering, code integration, and QA testing scoped independently).

If your requirements extend beyond our standard service categories, we welcome custom submissions. Pricing is determined strictly through direct material analysis, enabling us to consolidate multi-format engagements—such as combined legal documentation and recorded multimedia—into a single, unified proposal. Please note that the formal written quote represents the definitive scope and binding commercial agreement..

What pushes a quote above the starting price

The same page count can produce two very different bills, and these are the reasons why.

FACTOR	EFFECT ON PRICE	WHAT TO TELL US
Language pair	Less common or specialized pairs start from $0.12 per word instead of $0.08	Source and target language, plus any regional variety
File condition	Handwriting, dense text or poor scans take longer than clear, editable files	Send the real files, not a description
Deadline	Urgent work can cost more	Your real deadline and what happens if it slips
Subject matter	Specialist content needs specialist review	Topic, audience and any glossary
Audio and video	Poor audio, several speakers, timestamps, verbatim style and complex timing add effort	Recording quality and the style you need
Extras	Notarization, apostille, courier, equipment, travel and preparation sit outside the base rate	Which office receives the file, and where the event is

For some context, one 2026 freelance rate database lists general standard translation at about $0.08 to $0.30 per word. That’s a market spread across languages and subjects, not a Philippines quote. We mention it so you can see where a starting rate sits, and nothing more.

How to compare quotes fairly

Cheapest doesn’t always win when the scope differs. Check that every provider priced the same job.

• The unit: source words, target words, pages, documents or hours.

• Whether a proofreader checks the work or that’s an add-on.

• Minimum fees on short jobs.

• Rush surcharges, and weekend rates.

• What counts as a free correction and what counts as a change of mind.

• Which costs are left out, such as notarization, courier or equipment.

Our guide on how to evaluate a translation services company covers what else to ask before you hire anyone.

Get your exact quote

1. Send the actual files, or the recording, or the event details.
2. Tell us the source and target languages and where the work will be used.
3. Give the real deadline.
4. Mention certification, formatting or delivery needs. Certified work and what to prepare is covered in our certified translation guide.
5. We reply with a written quote, usually in under an hour, stating the unit and what’s included.

Submitting several documents? The document translation page explains how file type and consistency affect the work, and our localization service covers websites and digital content. Ready? Use the quote form.

Frequently asked questions

How much does translation cost per word at Etranslation?

The price starts at $0.08 per source word for general content. Specialized material or less common language pairs may start higher, from $0.12 per source word. That’s the minimum we charge, even for English to Tagalog, so your final quote can be higher once we’ve seen the files, the languages and the deadline.

What does “starts at” mean?

That figure represents our baseline starting rate, not a typical average. Straightforward files with standard turnaround times qualify for that entry rate, whereas complex source material, such as handwritten notes, degraded audio, technical subject matter, or expedited delivery, will be quoted at a higher tier.

How much is a certified translation?

Certified translation starts at $35 per page, and that includes a standard certificate of accuracy where one is required. Notarization, apostille, government fees and courier are extra. We confirm the unit that fits your file in the written quote before any work starts.

How much does an interpreter cost?

Interpreting rates begin at $60/hour for remote assignments, $75/hour for consecutive interpreting, and $120/hour per specialist for simultaneous interpreting, subject to minimum booking requirements. Because project totals depend on factors such as required prep time, technical equipment, on-site travel, and team composition, we recommend sharing your event details with us to receive a comprehensive quote.

Are your prices in US dollars?

Yes, the starting prices on this page are in US dollars. If you need the quote in another currency, kindly let us know while sending your files and we’ll take it into consideration. The written quote always states the currency and the unit.

How fast will I get a quote?

Once we review your project files, expect a comprehensive quote delivered within the hour. Our estimates clearly specify the billing unit (such as source word count, pages, or hours) alongside a transparent breakdown of what is covered, giving you complete clarity to compare options with confidence before signing off.