In an increasingly connected and diverse labor market, speaking both Spanish and English represents much more than an additional skill on a résumé. For many organizations, bilingualism is a practical resource that helps them serve customers more effectively, expand into new markets, strengthen relationships, and provide more accessible services.
This is especially important in the United States, where Spanish is part of the daily lives of millions of people. Professionals who can communicate effectively in both languages can serve as bridges between businesses, institutions, and communities.
According to the 2024 American Community Survey, approximately 44.9 million people age five and older speak Spanish at home. This makes Spanish, by a wide margin, the most commonly spoken language in the country other than English.
Census data also show that among people who speak a language other than English at home, approximately 61% speak Spanish.
These numbers help explain why so many organizations need professionals who can communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients, patients, students, families, and communities.
Demographic growth is also relevant. In 2023, the Hispanic population represented approximately 19.5% of the total population of the United States, or nearly one in every five people.
Speaking Spanish, therefore, is not simply connected to a cultural trend. It is a skill directly related to the demographic and economic reality of the country.
The report Making Languages Our Business, prepared by ACTFL based on a national survey of employers, found that:
Although this study was published in 2019 and should not be interpreted as an annual measurement of the labor market, it remains one of the broadest national studies on the language needs of U.S. employers. Its findings demonstrate that proficiency in another language has practical and measurable business applications.
Spanish can provide a professional advantage in many industries, including the following:
Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, technicians, and administrative employees need to gather accurate information and clearly explain treatments, procedures, and recommendations. Poor communication can create confusion, delays, and difficulties for patients.
Speaking Spanish can help professionals provide more direct and compassionate care. However, in complex or legally sensitive medical situations, organizations should continue to use qualified interpreters when required. Being bilingual does not automatically make someone a professional medical interpreter.
Bilingual teachers, counselors, administrators, and specialists can communicate with students and families who use Spanish at home. This ability can improve parent-teacher conferences, academic follow-up, and family participation in a student’s education.
Courts, law firms, government agencies, and community organizations frequently assist individuals who prefer to communicate in Spanish.
Accuracy is essential in these environments. A bilingual professional can help identify needs and provide more accessible services, although official interpretation and translation should be performed by properly qualified professionals when required by the process.
A business that can communicate with customers in their preferred language is more likely to understand their needs, explain its products, and build relationships based on trust.
Spanish can be especially useful in banking, insurance, retail, hospitality, restaurants, telecommunications, and customer-service departments.
It is also an important marketing tool. Translating words is not always enough. Businesses need to understand cultural references, communication styles, and regional differences.
Bilingual professionals can support recruitment, training, workplace safety, and internal communication. This is especially valuable in organizations with diverse teams or employees who feel more comfortable receiving important information in Spanish.
The need for bilingual professionals is not limited to states such as California, Texas, Florida, or New York.
Official Utah data show that the state’s Hispanic or Latino population increased from approximately 375,691 people in 2012 to 512,087 in 2022. This represents an increase of approximately 36% over ten years.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services also reports that 61.6% of Hispanic or Latino Utah residents speak a language other than English at home.
This growth creates new needs and opportunities in schools, hospitals, businesses, public services, financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and local governments.
For an organization operating in Utah, having Spanish-speaking employees can improve communication with an important and growing part of the community.
Many people learned Spanish at home or grew up hearing it from family members. They may speak naturally, understand everyday expressions, and communicate effectively in social situations.
However, using Spanish in a professional environment may require additional skills, such as:
For this reason, there is a difference between speaking Spanish in daily life and demonstrating the level of language proficiency required in a professional position.
A formal assessment can help determine whether a person has a basic, intermediate, or advanced level and whether the person can use the language effectively in academic or professional situations.
Including the word “bilingual” on a résumé can be helpful, but it may be too general. Two people who describe themselves as bilingual may have very different abilities.
A certification based on recognized standards allows language proficiency to be presented more accurately. For example, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages organizes language proficiency into six levels:
A person at the B2 level can generally communicate independently in a wide variety of situations. A person at the C1 level can understand demanding information and communicate fluently and accurately in professional or academic environments.
Certification does not replace professional experience, but it can complement that experience by providing verifiable evidence of a person’s language proficiency.
To turn bilingualism into a true professional advantage, consider the following steps:
Speaking Spanish in the United States is not only an advantage when looking for employment. It also helps professionals provide more inclusive services, better understand others, and build relationships based on trust.
For businesses, having bilingual employees can result in better customer service, greater access to new markets, and more effective communication. For professionals, Spanish proficiency can provide an opportunity to stand out and demonstrate that they are prepared to work in a diverse society.
At the Hispanic Institute of Utah, we promote Spanish learning, assessment, and certification as tools for academic and professional development.
Understanding your actual Spanish level is the first step toward transforming a language skill into a credential that can be understood and valued by employers and institutions.