Italian Vocabulary for Jobs and Occupations

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Time to get to work talking about… work! Discussing your profession in Italian requires a new list of vocabulary. So here’s a chance to brush up on some of the words and phrases you’ll need most when talking about your job.

Basic work-related terms in Italian

Before talking about specific jobs, let me introduce a few useful basics for talking about jobs and occupations in Italian.

Italian	English
Lavoro	Job
Impiego	Job, employment
Professione	Profession
Occupazione	Occupation
Mestiere	Profession, vocation, job
Carriera	Career
Azienda, impresa, ditta	Company
Startup	Startup
Stipendio	Salary
Datore di lavoro	Employer
(Lavoratore) dipendente	Employee
Libero/a professionista	Self-employed professional
Centro per l’impiego, ufficio di collocamento	Job centre
Opportunità di lavoro	Job opportunity
Curriculum vitae, curriculum, CV	Résumé, CV
Lettera di accompagnamento	Cover letter
Colloquio di lavoro, colloquio conoscitivo	Job interview
Tirocinio, stage (pronounced /staʒ/)	Internship
Stagista	Trainee
Formazione	Training
Lavoro temporaneo / a tempo determinato	Temporary / fixed-term work
Lavoro stagionale	Seasonal work
Lavoro occasionale	Occasional work
Lavoro su turni	Shift work
Lavoro autonomo (in proprio)	Self-employment
Lavoro dipendente a tempo indeterminato	Permanent work, permanent contract
Volontariato	Voluntary work
Lavoro parasubordinato	Work under a coordinated collaboration arrangement; not a synonym for fixed-term employment

Questions and answers

Here are common questions about someone’s work:

Italian	English
Che lavoro fai?	What do you do for work? (informal)
Di che cosa ti occupi?	What kind of work do you do? (informal)
Di che cosa si occupa?	What kind of work do you do? (formal)

Questions about work are common in many Italian conversations, but comfort levels depend on the person and situation. A neutral Di che cosa ti occupi? is often suitable. If you want to soften it, say Se non sono indiscreto/a… (“If you don’t mind me asking…”).

Use tu in an informal conversation and Lei in a formal one: Di che cosa si occupa?Se non sono indiscreto/a…”, which corresponds to “If you don’t mind me asking …”.

If you are being asked the question, you can respond with: 

• Faccio (literally: I do) + definite article + the name of your occupation;
• Sono… + an occupation, commonly without an article (Sono traduttrice). An indefinite article is also possible, especially with a description: Sono una traduttrice specializzata in testi tecnici.

Here are some examples:

Italian	English
Faccio la traduttrice / Sono una traduttrice	I’m a translator, I work as a translator.
Mio padre fa l’avvocato / Mio padre è un avvocato	My father is a lawyer, My father works as a lawyer.

Here are some other possible answers and ways of talking about your job in Italian:

Italian	English
Mi occupo di…	I work in…
Mi occupo di sicurezza sul lavoro	I work in occupational health and safety.

Italian	English
Lavoro come…	I work as…
Lavoro come receptionist presso un hotel del centro	I work as a receptionist in a downtown hotel.

Italian	English
Lavoro nel/nella…	I work in…
Lavoro nelle pubbliche relazioni	I work in public relations.

Italian	English
Viaggio molto per lavoro	I travel a lot on business.
Sto cercando lavoro	I am looking for a job.
Mi piace il mio lavoro	I like my job.
Amo il mio lavoro	I love my job.
Non mi piace il mio lavoro	I don’t like my job
Ho sempre desiderato fare…	I have always wanted to be a…
Da grande mi piacerebbe fare…	I would like to be a… when I grow up

Italian Professions

There are many occupations; this list introduces common terms across different fields.

Occupation nouns follow several gender patterns: cuoco/cuoca, infermiere/infermiera, scrittore/scrittrice, and common-gender nouns such as insegnante. Feminine forms are available for many professional titles; actual usage and personal preference vary. Labels m/f indicate a shared singular form, but the article and any adjective still agree with the person.

Istruzione – Education 

Italian	English
Insegnante (m/f)	Teacher, instructor
Professore / professoressa	Teacher, professor
Maestro/a	Elementary school teacher
Maestro/a d’asilo	Kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher
Educatore / educatrice	Educator, teacher, instructor
Docente universitario/a	University lecturer, professor
Tutor (m/f)	Tutor
Preside (m/f)	Principal, headmaster, school supervisor
Dirigente scolastico/a	School head, school principal
Rettore / rettrice	University rector
Bidello/a	Janitor, custodian

Medical & Health

Italian	English
Medico / medica	Doctor (feminine usage varies)
Dottore / dottoressa	Doctor
Infermiere/a	Nurse
Chirurgo / chirurga	Surgeon
Paramedico/a	Paramedic (roles differ between countries)
Psicologo/a	Psychologist
Psicoterapeuta (m/f)	Psychotherapist
Psichiatra (m/f)	Psychiatrist
Neurologo/a	Neurologist
Pediatra (m/f)	Pediatrician
Cardiologo/a	Cardiologist
Radiologo/a	Radiologist
Dentista, odontoiatra (m/f)	Dentist
Oculista (m/f)	Ophthalmologist, eye doctor
Dermatologo/a	Dermatologist
Ortopedico/a	Orthopedist
Omeopata (m/f)	Homeopath, expert in homeopathic remedies
Ginecologo/a	Gynecologist
Ostetrico/a	Midwife; medico ostetrico means obstetrician
Urologo/a	Urologist
Farmacista (m/f)	Pharmacist, chemist
Igienista dentale (m/f)	Dental hygienist
Veterinario/a	Vet
Biologo/a	Biologist

Sicurezza – Public safety

Italian	English
Poliziotto/a	Policeman, cop
Agente	Police officer
Carabiniere	Member of Italy’s Carabinieri police force
Gendarme	Policeman, police officer
Guardia giurata	Security guard
Vigile del fuoco, pompiere	Firefighter
Soldato / soldatessa	Soldier
Ispettore / ispettrice	Inspector
Investigatore / investigatrice	Detective

Ristorazione – Food

Italian	English
Ristoratore / ristoratrice	Restaurant owner, restaurateur
Cuoco/a	Cook, chef
Capocuoco	Head chef, executive chef, chef de cuisine
Aiuto cuoco	Chef’s assistant, assistant chef
Capo partita	Chef de partie, station chef
Saucier (pronounced /sosje/)	Sauté chef, saucier
Pizzaiolo/a	Pizza maker, pizza chef
Sommelier	Sommelier, wine steward
Cameriere / cameriera	Server, waiter/waitress
Barista (m/f)	Bartender, barman/barmaid

Settore legale – Legal

Italian	English
Avvocato / avvocata	Lawyer
Magistrato/a	Judicial officer (judge or prosecutor)
Procuratore / procuratrice	Prosecutor; legal representative (depending on context)
Pubblico ministero, PM	Prosecutor
Ufficiale giudiziario	Officer of justice
Giudice	Judge, magistrate
Giudice di pace	Justice of the peace, small claims judge

Business, ufficio – Business, office

Italian	English
Impiegato/a	Office worker, clerk
Direttore / direttrice	Company director
Centralinista (m/f)	Telephone operator, switchboard operator
Segretaria/o	Secretary
Ragioniere / ragioniera	Accountant
Venditore, commerciale	Salesperson, sales rep
Agente immobiliare (m/f)	Real estate agent
Manager (m/f)	Manager
Consulente (m/f)	Consultant
Contabile (m/f)	Bookkeeper
Commercialista (m/f)	Accountant
Notaio / notaia	Notary
Esattore fiscale	Tax collector
Geometra (m/f)	Surveyor
Ingegnere / ingegnera	Engineer
Imprenditore / imprenditrice	Entrepreneur
Banchiere / banchiera	Banker
Intermediario finanziario	Financial intermediary
Architetto/a	Architect
Ricercatore / ricercatrice	Researcher
Programmatore / programmatrice	Programmer
Promotore / promotrice	Promoter

Editoria – Publishing

Italian	English
Scrittore / scrittrice	Writer
Romanziere / romanziera	Novelist
Redattore / redattrice	Editor
Editore / editrice	Publisher
Traduttore / traduttrice	Translator
Correttore di bozze / correttrice di bozze	Proofreader
Giornalista (m/f)	Journalist
Pubblicista (m/f)	Contributing journalist (a specific Italian professional category)
Copywriter (m/f)	Copywriter
Interprete (m/f)	Interpreter
Illustratore / illustratrice	Illustrator

Intrattenimento – Entertainment

Italian	English
Cantante (m/f)	Singer
Attore / attrice	Actor/actress, Thespian, performer
Drammaturgo/a	Playwright
Regista (m/f)	Director (film, television or theater)
Musicista (m/f)	Musician, performer
Pianista (m/f)	Pianist
Chitarrista (m/f)	Guitarist, guitar player
Sassofonista (m/f)	Saxophonist
Batterista (m/f)	Drummer, percussionist
Bassista (m/f)	Bassist, bass player
Compositore / compositrice	Composer
Ballerino/a	Dancer
Coreografo/a	Choreographer
Modello/a	Model
Presentatore / presentatrice	Television presenter
Cameraman	Camera operator, cameraman
Costumista (m/f)	Costume designer
Truccatore / truccatrice	Makeup artist
Disc jockey, DJ (m/f)	Disc jockey

Arte – art

Italian	English
Artista (m/f)	Artist
Scultore / scultrice	Sculptor
Pittore / pittrice	Painter
Restauratore / restauratrice	Art conservator
Critico/a d’arte	Art critic
Fotografo/a	Photographer
Designer (m/f)	Designer
Fumettista (m/f)	Cartoonist
Disegnatore / disegnatrice di cartoni animati	Cartoon artist; animatore/animatrice for animator

Manual work

Italian	English
Operaio/a	Manual worker, laborer
Operatore edile, muratore	construction worker, mason
Artigiano/a	Craftsman
Imbianchino/a	House painter
Tecnico/a	Technician repairman
Meccanico	Mechanic
Elettricista	Electrician
Idraulico/a	Plumber
Falegname	Carpenter, woodworker
Calzolaio/a	Shoemaker
Giardiniere/a	Gardener
Fabbro	Blacksmith
Piastrellista	Tiler, tile setter
Tappezziere	Upholsterer
Marmista	Marble worker
Agricoltore, contadino/a	Farmer
Pescatore	Fisherman
Allevatore / allevatrice	Breeder, farmer, cowman
Minatore	Miner

Trasporti – Transportation

Italian	English
Conducente di autobus	Bus driver
Macchinista	Train driver
Camionista, autotrasportatore	Truck driver, lorry driver
Taxista, tassista	Cabdriver, taxi driver
Pilota	Pilot
Corriere	Courier
Ferroviere	Railway worker

Commercio – Commerce, trade

Italian	English
Negoziante (m/f)	Shopkeeper
Commerciante (m/f)	Retailer, shopkeeper
Commesso/a	Sales assistant, shop assistant
Cassiere/a	Cashier
Pasticciere / pasticciera	Pastry chef, confectioner
Fornaio/a, panettiere/a	Baker
Salumiere/a	Deli owner or worker, cured-meat seller
Fruttivendolo/a	Greengrocer
Macellaio/a	Butcher
Pescivendolo/a	Fish seller
Fioraio/a	Florist
Giornalaio/a, edicolante	Newsagent, newsstand seller
Gioielliere/a	Jeweler
Orefice	Jewelry maker
Ottico/a	Optician
Orologiaio/a	Watchmaker
Antiquario/a	Antique dealer
Parrucchiere/a	Hairdresser
Barbiere	Barber
Lattaio/a	Milkman, milkwoman
Libraio/a	Bookseller
Estetista	Beautician, esthetician
Lavandaio / lavandaia	Laundryman / laundress

Turismo – Tourism

Italian	English
Agente di viaggi (m/f)	Travel agent
Guida turistica (m/f)	Tour guide
Accompagnatore turistico / accompagnatrice turistica	Tour guide
Guida alpina (m/f)	Mountain guide
Assistente di volo, hostess (f.), steward (m.)	Flight attendant
Programmatore turistico, travel organizer	Travel organizer
Responsabile del booking	Booking manager
Animatore / animatrice	Holiday resort entertainer
Bagnino/a, guardaspiaggia	Lifeguard
Receptionist	Receptionist
Travel designer	Travel designer
Affittacamere	Guesthouse operator; also the guesthouse itself
Travel blogger	Travel blogger
Skipper	Skipper

Sport

Italian	English
Atleta (m/f)	Athlete
Allenatore / allenatrice	Coach
Personal trainer (m/f)	Personal trainer
Calciatore / calciatrice	Footballer
Cestista	Basketball player
Pallavolista	Volleyball player
Tennista	Tennis player
Sciatore	Skier
Pugile / pugilessa	Boxer
Pattinatore / pattinatrice	Skater
Pilota motociclistico	Motorcycle racer
Pilota automobilistico	Racing driver
Arbitro	Referee, umpire

 

Other jobs

Italian	English
Educatore cinofilo / educatrice cinofila	Dog trainer
Astronauta	Astronaut
Astronomo	Astronomer
Sarto/a	Tailor
Postino/a, portalettere	Postman/postwoman, mail carrier
Blogger	Blogger
YouTuber	YouTuber
Bibliotecario/a	Librarian
Parroco, prete	Priest
Carceriere, secondino	Jailer
Maggiordomo	Butler
Cartomante	Fortune-teller, card reader
Usciere	Doorman, usher
Addetto/a alle pulizie	Cleaner
Operatore ecologico, netturbino	Street cleaner
Marinaio	Sailor
Politico/a	Politician
Senatore / senatrice	Senator
Tesoriere	Treasurer
Economista	Economist
Geologo/a	Geologist
Tuttofare	Handyman
Domestica, donna di servizio	Maid
Impresario funebre, becchino (informal)	Undertaker
Parcheggiatore	Valet, car-parking attendant
Badante	Caregiver
Pensionato/a	Pensioner, retiree
Studente / studentessa	Student
Casalingo/a	Homemaker
Disoccupato/a	Unemployed

 

More work-related terms in Italian

Beyond the above, there are a few other work-related terms in Italian that you may find useful. Here they are:

Italian	English
Socio/a	Partner, associate
Capo (m/f)	Boss
Cliente (m/f)	Client
Collega (m/f)	Colleague
Concorrente, competitor	Competitor
Partita IVA	VAT number
Ritenuta d’acconto	Withholding tax
Aumento di stipendio	Pay raise
Busta paga	Payslip, pay stub
Giorno libero, giorno di riposo	Day off from work
Congedo di maternità	Maternity leave
Aspettativa	Leave, leave of absence
Contratto	Contract
Esperienza lavorativa	Work experience
Abilità	Skills
Assunzione	Hiring
Riunione	Meeting
Incarico	Task
Viaggio di lavoro	Business trip
Fare gli straordinari	To work overtime
Assumere	To hire
Dimettersi, rassegnare le dimissioni	To quit, to resign
Licenziare	To fire, to lay off
Andare in pensione	To retire
Sciopero	Strike
Sindacato	Trade-union
Agenzia delle Entrate	Italian Revenue Agency
IVA	VAT (value-added tax)
INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale)	Social security service
Disoccupazione	Unemployment

“Good Job” in Italian

Italian	English
Ottimo lavoro!	Good job!, Well done!
Buon lavoro!	Have a nice day at work!

Well done on getting through this lesson! Now you have all the necessary tools to talk about your job properly in Italian. A presto!