Abstract This research employs a mixed-methods design combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches in order to carry out a thorough investigation into the relationship between the translator’s visibility and their job-related happiness. In the quantitative phase, analysis is based on 193 Chinese translators in the greater China region, which comprises Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Macao. This study has found that, in our sample, visibility is rewarding in terms of social exchanges and learning experience, but not in terms of pay and prestige. Further, we have confirmed that the more visible translators are happier. In the qualitative phase, three case studies explore the relationship between the translator’s visibility and their job-related happiness. We have found that visibility not only nurtures the translator but also benefits the client, since translators feel that they can better receive their clients’ feedback and that the translators are working in a way that their clients appreciate.