Court Reporter Salary in 2026
Court reporters create verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings using stenography or digital recording equipment. They ensure accurate records for courts, depositions, and legislative sessions.
Median Salary
$72,420
$6,035/mo
Entry Level
$47,500
starting pay
Senior Level
$98,500
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (SOC 27-3092) at a national median of $72,420 per year (mean $78,760), or $34.82 per hour, with 12,870 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Court Reporter Overview
Court reporters create verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings using stenography or digital recording equipment. They ensure accurate records for courts, depositions, and legislative sessions.
Education
Associate's Degree
Experience
2-3 years
Industry
Legal
Total Jobs (US)
13K
5-Year Growth
+10%
Category
Legal
Hourly Rate
$34.82/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,035
Court Reporter Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Court Reporter salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Court Reporter Salary
$81,000
$6,750/month · $3,115/biweekly · $38.94/hr
Court Reporter Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Court Reporter field.
Entry-level Court Reporters earn around $47,500, while the top 10% earn $106,850 or more.
Top Paying States for Court Reporters
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $85,000 | +$12,580 |
| New York | $83,000 | +$10,580 |
| Illinois | $75,000 | +$2,580 |
| Texas | $71,000 | $-1,420 |
| Florida | $71,000 | $-1,420 |
Top Paying Cities for Court Reporters
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $85,000 | +$12,580 |
| Los Angeles | $81,000 | +$8,580 |
| Chicago | $76,000 | +$3,580 |
| Miami | $74,000 | +$1,580 |
| Houston | $72,000 | $-420 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Court Reporter Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Court Reporter.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Court Reporter Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Court Reporter from entry level to expert.
$47,500
0-2 years
$73,000
3-7 years
$98,500
8-14 years
$115,200
15+ years
Related Legal Jobs
Court Reporter Salary FAQ
How much does a Court Reporter make in 2026?
The median salary for a Court Reporter in the United States is $72,420 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (SOC 27-3092); the mean is $78,760. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $47,500, senior professionals around $98,500, and top earners at $115,200 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Court Reporter?
A Court Reporter typically requires a Associate's Degree with 2-3 years of experience. Key skills include Stenography, Real-Time Reporting, Legal Terminology. Relevant certifications such as RPR Certification or RMR can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Court Reporters?
The job market for Court Reporters is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 13K Court Reporter positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 10%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Court Reporters the most?
The highest-paying states for Court Reporters include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $83,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Court Reporter salary?
To increase your Court Reporter salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Stenography and Real-Time Reporting. Pursue certifications such as RPR Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-3 years of experience, you can progress from $47,500 to $98,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Court Reporter Salary
How we calculate Court Reporter salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (SOC 27-3092), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $72,420, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners; BLS mean $78,760; BLS hourly median $34.82.
- Entry-level ($47,500) and senior-level ($98,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 12,870 Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 10% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Legal sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $72,420; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Court Reporter compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Court Reporter job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Legal
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Court Reporter salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Stenography, Real-Time Reporting, Legal Terminology), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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