Court reporter salary
BLS occupation: Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners · Arts, design, media and sports · data for May 2025
Median salary $72,420 a year, US
Median hourly pay $34.82 an hour
Middle half earn $53,760–$100,780 25th to 75th percentile
Court reporters employed 12,870 −0.1% projected by 2035
How much does a court reporter make?
- The median court reporter salary in the US is $72,420 a year ($34.82 an hour): half of the 12,870 court reporters BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $78,760.
- The middle half earn between $53,760 and $100,780. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $42,130 and the top 10% more than $130,560.
- That is 42% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays court reporters the most (median $116,020), followed by Texas ($110,080) and Washington ($107,670). Delaware pays the least ($44,760).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Texas, where the median is worth $113,418 in typical US prices, then Iowa and California. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In 40 of the 66 metro areas with data, the median court reporter salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of court reporters to shrink 0.1% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award).
official From BLS's survey of employers: what court reporters are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Court reporter salary range
Half of court reporters earn between $53,760 and $100,780 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $42,130
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $53,760
Median Yearly pay: $72,420
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $100,780
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $130,560
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $42,130 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $53,760 |
| Median | $72,420 |
| Top 25% earn over | $100,780 |
| Top 10% earn over | $130,560 |
Court reporter salary by state
California pays court reporters the most; Delaware the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($72,420), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $116,020 median |
| Texas | $110,080 median |
| Washington | $107,670 median |
| New York | $101,990 median |
| Iowa | $93,810 median |
| Rhode Island | $92,250 median |
| Minnesota | $83,680 median |
| Colorado | $83,010 median |
| Massachusetts | $79,940 median |
| Arizona | $77,770 median |
| Nebraska | $76,480 median |
| Illinois | $75,890 median |
| South Dakota | $75,210 median |
| North Carolina | $73,510 median |
| Missouri | $72,500 median |
| North Dakota | $70,540 median |
| Idaho | $69,330 median |
| Alabama | $67,340 median |
| Ohio | $67,330 median |
| Mississippi | $67,300 median |
| Wisconsin | $65,640 median |
| Pennsylvania | $65,100 median |
| Louisiana | $63,380 median |
| Montana | $62,730 median |
| Nevada | $62,030 median |
| Michigan | $61,600 median |
| South Carolina | $61,100 median |
| Oklahoma | $60,800 median |
| Connecticut | $59,390 median |
| Maryland | $59,300 median |
| Arkansas | $59,180 median |
| West Virginia | $56,790 median |
| Virginia | $55,210 median |
| Indiana | $54,740 median |
| Kentucky | $50,350 median |
| Florida | $49,240 median |
| Maine | $49,110 median |
| Delaware | $44,760 median |
Where court reporter pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Court reporters' pay goes furthest in Texas once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Texas | $113,418 |
| Iowa | $106,891 |
| California | $104,787 |
| Washington | $100,614 |
| New York | $94,504 |
| Rhode Island | $90,194 |
| South Dakota | $84,901 |
| Nebraska | $84,881 |
| Minnesota | $84,850 |
| Colorado | $80,552 |
Court reporter pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $116,020 | $55.78 | $55,280 | $142,930 | 1,400 | $104,787 |
| Texas | $110,080 | $52.92 | $54,520 | $137,410 | 1,270 | $113,418 |
| Washington | $107,670 | $51.76 | $82,220 | $113,880 | 80 | $100,614 |
| New York | $101,990 | $49.03 | $60,360 | $143,790 | 1,400 | $94,504 |
| Iowa | $93,810 | $45.10 | $63,560 | $104,490 | 160 | $106,891 |
| Rhode Island | $92,250 | $44.35 | $61,670 | $107,310 | 60 | $90,194 |
| Minnesota | $83,680 | $40.23 | $64,150 | $97,410 | 320 | $84,850 |
| Colorado | $83,010 | $39.91 | $65,960 | $110,700 | 260 | $80,552 |
| Massachusetts | $79,940 | $38.43 | $46,080 | $91,350 | 50 | $75,588 |
| Arizona | $77,770 | $37.39 | $61,510 | $90,020 | 70 | $77,247 |
| Nebraska | $76,480 | $36.77 | $60,910 | $87,080 | 60 | $84,881 |
| Illinois | $75,890 | $36.49 | $31,200 | $122,390 | 770 | $75,922 |
| South Dakota | $75,210 | $36.16 | $63,610 | $78,960 | 40 | $84,901 |
| North Carolina | $73,510 | $35.34 | $57,910 | $91,710 | 110 | $77,932 |
| Missouri | $72,500 | $34.86 | $56,000 | $97,480 | 270 | $79,831 |
| North Dakota | $70,540 | $33.91 | $56,030 | $81,130 | 60 | $79,295 |
| Idaho | $69,330 | $33.33 | $66,290 | $75,460 | 40 | $72,601 |
| Alabama | $67,340 | $32.38 | $37,700 | $84,270 | 350 | $75,814 |
| Ohio | $67,330 | $32.37 | $49,750 | $94,740 | 340 | $72,574 |
| Mississippi | $67,300 | $32.36 | $47,720 | $75,000 | 40 | $77,398 |
| Wisconsin | $65,640 | $31.56 | $38,560 | $121,260 | 60 | $69,759 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,100 | $31.30 | $40,130 | $90,330 | 670 | $66,720 |
| Louisiana | $63,380 | $30.47 | $26,650 | $97,360 | 270 | $71,854 |
| Montana | $62,730 | $30.16 | $50,870 | $78,890 | 50 | $66,279 |
| Nevada | $62,030 | $29.82 | $46,750 | $78,430 | 70 | $62,043 |
| Michigan | $61,600 | $29.62 | $41,040 | $79,780 | 260 | $64,022 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 | $29.38 | $45,190 | $76,300 | 140 | $65,174 |
| Oklahoma | $60,800 | $29.23 | $53,000 | $68,000 | 180 | $69,214 |
| Connecticut | $59,390 | $28.55 | $43,370 | $74,680 | 210 | $57,321 |
| Maryland | $59,300 | $28.51 | $41,620 | $90,360 | – | $56,498 |
| Arkansas | $59,180 | $28.45 | $53,200 | $80,090 | 130 | $68,072 |
| West Virginia | $56,790 | $27.30 | $44,550 | $70,890 | 90 | $63,455 |
| Virginia | $55,210 | $26.54 | $37,840 | $78,360 | 320 | $54,607 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | $26.32 | $42,740 | $77,320 | 890 | $58,653 |
| Kentucky | $50,350 | $24.21 | $29,610 | $50,350 | 80 | $55,846 |
| Florida | $49,240 | $23.67 | $35,320 | $81,370 | 1,110 | $47,614 |
| Maine | $49,110 | $23.61 | $48,370 | $89,670 | 30 | $50,603 |
| Delaware | $44,760 | $21.52 | $40,350 | $86,130 | 40 | $44,846 |
BLS does not publish pay for court reporters in 13 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Court reporter salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes court reporter pay: 66 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $143,170
- Stockton, CA $138,340
- Riverside, CA $133,900
- Austin, TX $130,730
- Houston, TX $129,380
- San Francisco, CA $129,270
- Dallas, TX $125,970
- San Antonio, TX $123,900
- San Diego, CA $123,230
- Sacramento, CA $118,200
Where the pay goes furthest
- Austin, TX $133,308
- Stockton, CA $131,641
- Houston, TX $131,178
- San Antonio, TX $130,812
- San Jose, CA $129,656
- Riverside, CA $125,796
- Dallas, TX $122,194
- Beaumont, TX $120,194
- El Paso, TX $117,904
- San Francisco, CA $111,813
All 66 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $143,170 | 50 | $129,656 | 32% |
| Stockton, CA | $138,340 | 30 | $131,641 | 21% |
| Riverside, CA | $133,900 | 230 | $125,796 | 23% |
| Austin, TX | $130,730 | 130 | $133,308 | 15% |
| Houston, TX | $129,380 | 260 | $131,178 | 15% |
| San Francisco, CA | $129,270 | 260 | $111,813 | 32% |
| Dallas, TX | $125,970 | 220 | $122,194 | 16% |
| San Antonio, TX | $123,900 | 150 | $130,812 | 14% |
| San Diego, CA | $123,230 | 110 | $110,138 | 29% |
| Sacramento, CA | $118,200 | 110 | $110,809 | 23% |
| Seattle, WA | $113,200 | 40 | $101,860 | 24% |
| Visalia, CA | $108,790 | 30 | $108,981 | 19% |
| Beaumont, TX | $108,230 | 30 | $120,194 | 15% |
| El Paso, TX | $106,010 | 50 | $117,904 | 17% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $102,900 | 30 | $101,996 | 21% |
| Buffalo, NY | $99,620 | 60 | $103,940 | 17% |
| Providence, RI | $92,250 | 70 | $90,643 | 28% |
| New York, NY | $90,230 | 1,060 | $80,160 | 47% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $86,900 | 160 | $82,902 | 24% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $86,510 | 290 | $76,176 | 41% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $85,690 | 70 | $89,850 | 21% |
| Denver, CO | $83,000 | 190 | $78,463 | 27% |
| Des Moines, IA | $82,040 | 50 | $89,465 | 19% |
| Fargo, ND | $80,720 | 30 | $88,829 | 16% |
| Mobile, AL | $80,110 | 30 | $90,933 | 19% |
| Atlanta, GA | $80,000 | 260 | $79,954 | 28% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $79,100 | 30 | $78,545 | 27% |
| Omaha, NE | $77,900 | 40 | $84,756 | 22% |
| Chicago, IL | $76,790 | 510 | $74,125 | 34% |
| Birmingham, AL | $76,560 | 60 | $83,541 | 22% |
| St. Louis, MO | $76,310 | 130 | $80,252 | 22% |
| New Orleans, LA | $75,980 | 90 | $82,054 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,760 | 240 | $72,898 | 31% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,630 | 50 | $82,210 | 22% |
| Boise, ID | $69,330 | 40 | $70,464 | 33% |
| Detroit, MI | $69,100 | 100 | $68,895 | 26% |
| Columbus, OH | $67,330 | 80 | $70,526 | 27% |
| Wichita, KS | $67,200 | 30 | $75,551 | 22% |
| Cleveland, OH | $66,220 | 50 | $70,505 | 26% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $66,160 | 40 | $71,469 | 23% |
| Boston, MA | $65,850 | 40 | $60,822 | 54% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $65,000 | 30 | $68,030 | 30% |
| Allentown, PA | $64,230 | 50 | $64,251 | 34% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $63,970 | 30 | $64,845 | 28% |
| Charlotte, NC | $63,840 | 30 | $65,579 | 33% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,480 | 120 | $67,053 | 28% |
| North Port, FL | $63,050 | 40 | $61,562 | 40% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $62,030 | 60 | $61,897 | 34% |
| Tampa, FL | $61,470 | 140 | $60,928 | 39% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $61,390 | 150 | $67,903 | 27% |
| Baltimore, MD | $60,640 | 150 | $58,036 | 38% |
| Columbia, SC | $60,380 | 40 | $64,466 | 31% |
| Bloomington, IN | $60,340 | 50 | $63,460 | 35% |
| Evansville, IN | $59,740 | 40 | $65,270 | 22% |
| Lafayette, IN | $57,470 | 30 | $61,511 | 31% |
| Scranton, PA | $55,700 | 40 | $59,537 | 29% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $55,210 | 60 | $56,371 | 41% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $54,740 | 50 | $62,348 | 21% |
| Washington, DC | $51,880 | 180 | $47,647 | 56% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $50,720 | 200 | $53,001 | 36% |
| Deltona, FL | $50,560 | 50 | $50,882 | 42% |
| Louisville, KY | $49,370 | 110 | $53,044 | 33% |
| Miami, FL | $48,430 | 440 | $42,425 | 66% |
| Orlando, FL | $47,170 | 110 | $46,510 | 49% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $46,240 | 70 | $46,480 | 44% |
| Montgomery, AL | $42,130 | 30 | $46,977 | 39% |
What the median court reporter salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $72,420 |
| Month | $6,035 |
| Every two weeks | $2,785 |
| Week | $1,393 |
| Hour | $34.82 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a court reporter: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.1% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,800 |
| Self-employed | 33.4% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Interior designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree |
| Graphic designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| Journalist | $62,200 | Bachelor's degree |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma |
Questions about court reporter pay
How much does a court reporter make an hour?
The median is $34.82 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $20.26 and the top 10% over $62.77.
How much does a court reporter make a month?
About $6,035 a month before taxes at the median salary of $72,420, or $2,785 every two weeks.
What state pays court reporters the most?
California, with a median of $116,020. Texas ($110,080), Washington ($107,670), New York ($101,990) and Iowa ($93,810) follow.
Where do court reporters make the most after cost of living?
Texas: its median of $110,080 is worth $113,418 at typical US prices. Iowa, California and Washington come next.
How much do entry-level court reporters make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of court reporters earn under $42,130 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $53,760, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a court reporter?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a postsecondary certificate (a nondegree award). Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: short-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 27-3092 (Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.