Payment and Billing
Hearing Interpreter Rates:
Boston University pays providers as independent contractors.
Our hearing interpreter rates are calculated based on the following factors:
● Level of credentials (eg. State-screened, nationally certified, etc.)
● Years of holding certification
In general, we follow the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) rate structure and aim to keep our rates above their current rates.
Current Rate Structure is as follows:
● Nationally Certified hearing interpreters are paid at a $55/hr base rate + $3/hr per 5 years of additional certified experience.
● Hearing interpreters who have passed the NIC Knowledge Exam are paid at a flat rate of $40/hour.
● State screened hearing interpreters are paid at a flat rate of $35/hr.
Deaf Interpreter Rates:
Boston University pays providers as independent contractors.
Our deaf interpreter rates are calculated based on the following factors:
● Level of credentials (eg. State-screened, nationally certified, etc.)
● Years of holding certification
In general, we follow the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) rate structure and aim to keep our rates above their current rates.
Current Rate Structure is as follows:
Nationally Certified Deaf interpreters are paid at a $60/hr base rate + $3/hr per 5 years of additional certified experience. CDI rates start $5 above hearing interpreter rates.
● Deaf interpreters who have passed the NIC Knowledge Exam are paid at a flat rate of $45/hour.
● State screened deaf interpreters are paid at a flat rate of $40/hr.
For recent graduates of interpreting programs and for those who are not yet certified, please go through our full on-boarding process and we will be happy discuss options where you might gain experience.
As you are awarded additional credentials, please forward your award letters to the Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, so that your hourly rate can be evaluated as appropriate. When you have reached the five years milestone of having additional certified experience, please reach out to the Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services to have your hourly rate increased by $3.
General billing guidelines
Interpreters are paid a 2-hour minimum and any break between assignments that is 2 hours or less is paid.
During a paid break, you might be asked to fill another assignment, which you can accept or decline at your professional discretion.
Invoicing:
All Invoices should include the following information:
● Invoice number
● Date of invoice
● Dates and names of events
● Start and end times
● Rate per hour
● Total hours billed
● Name, mailing address and email address
● The phrase “due upon receipt”
Please address and email invoices to: ODSbills@bu.edu
Attention to:
Willow Burke, Financial Analyst
Boston University Disability Services
19 Deerfield St, 2nd floor
Boston, MA 02215
Please contact Willow Burke with any payroll questions at ODSbills@bu.edu
Direct Deposit:
We recommend signing up for Direct Deposit in lieu of checks. This can be done at any time. Instructions are below:
1. Go to www.paymode.com/bu. All adjustments to Direct Deposit information can be managed from this site.
2. Click “Join Now” and complete the form. (In the “Corporate Tax ID” field, enter “EIN”.)
Please allow for up to eight weeks for Direct Deposit to take effect. Once Direct Deposit is in place, future invoices will be paid via this method.
Payment:
Please submit invoices as soon as possible, ideally no later than 30 days after date of service.
Payment can normally be expected three to four (3 – 4) weeks after invoice. Please note: We will need an completed W-9 Form with your first invoice. The first invoice will take longer than usual to process as we get you set up in our system.