Court reporters earn a median salary of $67,310 per year nationally, according to May 2024 BLS data. Entry-level court reporters start around $39,100 annually, while experienced professionals in high-paying states like New York and California can earn $127,020 or more per year.
Court reporters are the mainstay of the courtroom, ensuring that all legal proceedings are memorialized verbatim through complete and accurate transcripts. These experts at capturing the spoken word during depositions, trials, and other legal proceedings are vital to safeguarding the legal process, which is why they’re often referred to as “guardians of the record.”
Part of a near-recession-proof industry, court reporters enjoy reliable careers that are marked by plentiful job opportunities, strong salaries, and loads of options for those looking to go independent, boost their earning potential, and expand the services they provide. For most court reporters, the sky’s the limit when it comes to both earning potential and professional opportunities.
National Salary Overview
Do court reporters make good money? Yes! And here’s why: Court reporters provide services that safeguard the legal process. That makes them a pretty big deal.
Court reporters are trained, certified, and often state-licensed to provide highly accurate and reliable transcripts in the legal setting and are able to certify and testify to the integrity of the records they provide. Continuing education throughout their careers ensures they’re well-versed in the latest digital and audio technology and up-to-date on any changes to the legal industry.
Because court reporters capture the spoken word in real-time (called stenographic realtime), anyone participating in the legal proceedings—judges, attorneys, court clerks, jurors, even members of the media—has immediate access to the court’s transcript. The reliability and accuracy of the services they provide are unmatched; even today’s voice recognition software can’t match the accuracy of a court reporter’s transcript. Thanks to the work of court reporters, both electronic and hard copy transcripts of any legal proceeding are available nearly instantaneously.
The highly specialized services they provide make them valuable and essential members of any legal proceeding.
| Percentile Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,100 | $18.80 | Entry-Level |
| 25th Percentile | $48,000 | $23.08 | Early Career |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $67,310 | $32.36 | Mid-Career |
| 75th Percentile | $91,000 | $43.75 | Experienced |
| 90th Percentile | $127,020 | $61.07 | Top Earners |
Salary by Location and Government Level
Most court reporters work in courts and legislatures. Court reporters working for the judicial system are known as “official” court reporters, while those working in Congress and for state legislatures across the country are known as “legislative” court reporters.
Average salaries tend to differ considerably for court reporters based on the level of government they work in, with those at the state level typically earning the most:
| Government Level | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| State Government | $74,000 – $78,000 | $35.58 – $37.50 |
| Local Government | $69,000 – $72,000 | $33.17 – $34.62 |
| Federal Government | $63,000 – $66,000 | $30.29 – $31.73 |
Top-Paying States for Court Reporters
Court reporter salaries tend to differ quite a bit based on location. High cost-of-living areas and major legal markets typically offer the highest compensation. According to BLS data, these states consistently offer the highest average salaries for court reporters:
| State | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $95,000 – $100,000 | $45.67 – $48.08 |
| California | $87,000 – $92,000 | $41.83 – $44.23 |
| Massachusetts | $84,000 – $88,000 | $40.38 – $42.31 |
| Washington | $82,000 – $86,000 | $39.42 – $41.35 |
| Texas | $79,000 – $83,000 | $37.98 – $39.90 |
These salary variations are driven largely by cost-of-living differences, the size of the legal market, and demand for court reporting services. Major metropolitan areas within these states often offer even higher compensation, particularly for specialized court reporters with advanced certifications.
Salary by Experience Level
Experience plays a significant role in determining a court reporter’s earning potential. As court reporters develop their skills, build their professional networks, and gain specialized certifications, their salaries typically increase substantially.
Entry-Level Court Reporters (0-2 Years)
Court reporters just entering the profession typically earn around $39,100 to $48,000 annually. These professionals are still building their speed, accuracy, and professional reputation. Many entry-level court reporters work in smaller jurisdictions or with court reporting firms to gain experience.
Early Career (2-5 Years)
With a few years of experience, court reporters typically earn $48,000 to $67,000 per year. At this stage, most professionals have developed strong transcription skills and may begin to specialize in specific types of legal proceedings.
Mid-Career (5-10 Years)
Mid-career court reporters earn a median salary of around $67,310 annually. These professionals have established reputations for accuracy and reliability, and many have obtained professional certifications that increase their value to employers.
Experienced (10-20 Years)
Experienced court reporters typically earn $91,000 to $110,000 per year. These professionals often work on complex cases, may specialize in technical or medical-legal proceedings, and frequently hold multiple professional certifications.
Top Earners (20+ Years)
The most seasoned professionals in court reporting can earn $127,020 or more annually, with some freelance court reporters in major markets earning well over $150,000. These top earners typically provide specialized services like real-time transcription, CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), or broadcast captioning.
Factors Affecting Court Reporter Salaries
There are quite a few factors that may influence a court reporter’s salary:
Job Title Can Influence a Court Reporter’s Salary
Court reporters are often referred to as stenographers, since steno-type is the specific type of verbatim transcription services court reporters usually provide. However, there are professional stenographers out there that aren’t necessarily court reporters.
Court reporters must complete a specific course of education and almost always hold a state license (which requires passing a skills-based and written exam in most states that require licensure) and professional certification through the National Verbatim Reporters Association or the National Court Reporters Association.
This highly specialized skillset makes court reporters a valued subset of the stenographer profession. As a result, you’ll find that a court reporter’s salary nearly always exceeds a stenographer’s salary.
Geographic Location and Cost of Living
Location remains one of the most significant factors affecting court reporter salaries. Court reporters in major metropolitan areas with high costs of living typically earn more than those in smaller cities or rural areas. However, when adjusted for cost of living, salaries in smaller markets can sometimes offer better purchasing power.
Specialization Areas
Court reporters who specialize in complex or technical areas often command higher salaries. Specializations that typically pay premium rates include:
- Medical-legal proceedings require knowledge of medical terminology
- Technical patent litigation involving complex scientific concepts
- Federal court proceedings requiring FCRR certification
- Broadcast captioning for television and live events
- CART services for accessibility needs
Technology Skills
Court reporters proficient in real-time transcription technology, remote proceedings technology, and specialized software often earn higher salaries. The shift toward hybrid and remote legal proceedings has increased demand for tech-savvy court reporters.
How Certification Impacts Earnings
Certification has a significant effect on court reporter salaries and job prospects. National credentials in court reporting are valuable additions to any court reporter’s resume and often result in higher salaries and more professional opportunities. Both the National Court Reporters Association and the National Verbatim Reporters Association offer a number of professional designations that allow court reporters to demonstrate both basic and specialized skills in the profession.
You’re likely to find that most job postings for court reporters come with bonuses or salary increases for those with specific industry certifications. It always pays to build your portfolio of specialized skills and certifications in this profession.
The National Court Reporters Association
The NCRA offers these valuable certifications:
- Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) – The basic NCRA certification that demonstrates core competency in court reporting. Twenty-two states have adopted this designation in place of state certification or licensing.
- Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) – Advanced certification demonstrating superior skill in multiple areas of court reporting.
- Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) – Certification for court reporters who provide instant, accurate realtime transcription.
- Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC) – Specialization in broadcast and event captioning.
- Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) – Elite certification for court reporters with proven speed and accuracy at 225 words per minute.
- Certified Legal Video Specialist (CLVS) – Certification for professionals who record and synchronize video with transcripts.
The National Verbatim Reporters Association
The NVRA offers these certifications:
- Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) – The basic NVRA certification. Thirty-seven states have adopted this designation in place of state certification or licensing.
- Certificate of Merit (CM) – Recognition for reporters who demonstrate high-speed accuracy.
- Military Verbatim Reporter (MVR) – Specialized certification for court reporters working with military legal proceedings.
- Realtime Verbatim Reporter (RVR) – For reporters who provide realtime transcription services.
- Registered Broadcast Captioner – Master (RBC-M) – Advanced certification for broadcast captioning professionals.
- Registered CART Provider – Master (RCP-M) – Master-level certification for Communication Access Realtime Translation providers.
Federal Certification
The United States Court Reporters Association offers the Federal Certified Realtime Reporter (FCRR) certification, which is held exclusively by court reporters working in the federal court system. This certification is typically required for federal court positions and often comes with premium compensation.
Employment Types: Salaried vs. Freelance
Is a Court Reporter Paid Hourly or Salary?
Many court reporters are full-time employees and are paid an annual salary. However, perhaps just as many are paid hourly because they either work part-time, for a court reporting contracting service company, or on a freelance basis.
Regardless of whether you’re salaried or hourly, or full-time or part-time, you’ll also charge transcription fees (usually around $3 to $5 per page) when a written record of the testimony is requested. Fees are typically predetermined by the courts for official court reporters, while freelance reporters set their own rates.
Employment Status: Independent Contract and Freelance Court Reporter Salary
Court reporters may be on a federal, state, or local court’s payroll, although many enjoy the flexibility and earning potential that come with working on a contract basis, either as a freelancer or through a court reporting contracting service.
The most seasoned pros in court reporting have built the contacts to work as busy freelancers, while other court reporters enjoy the steady supply of jobs offered through a court reporting contracting service.
As an independent contractor, you’ll find plenty of business outside of the courtroom. Law firms, attorneys, corporations, unions, and other individuals and groups who need official records for arbitrations, board meetings, shareholder meetings, pretrial depositions, and more rely on independent contractors.
The ability to work as little or as often and according to your schedule, while charging fees that are commensurate with your experience and specialized skills, is the major appeal of working as an independent contractor. For many, being able to call the shots can’t be beat. Many court reporters can easily make salaries that exceed six figures when working in this capacity, with a freelance court reporter’s salary typically being very competitive with top-earning professionals in the field who bring in more than $127,000 a year.
Freelance court reporters in major markets with specialized skills (particularly realtime reporting and CART services) can earn $150,000 to $300,000 or more annually, depending on their client base, specialization, and work volume.
Salary Growth and Job Outlook
Employment Projections
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of court reporters and simultaneous captioners is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034. Despite limited employment growth, about 1,700 openings for court reporters and simultaneous captioners are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. This replacement demand creates consistent opportunities for new court reporters entering the field.
Industry Trends Affecting Salaries
Several trends are shaping the court reporting profession and influencing salary levels:
Labor Shortage Driving Up Wages
The court reporting industry faces a significant labor shortage. Thousands of experienced stenographers are expected to retire within the next 5-10 years, and the pipeline of new talent isn’t replacing them fast enough. This shortage is driving up demand and often pays for qualified professionals, particularly in high-volume litigation states like California, Texas, and New York.
Increased Demand for Remote and Hybrid Services
The shift toward remote and hybrid legal proceedings has increased demand for court reporters skilled in remote transcription technology. Court reporters who can provide seamless remote services often command premium rates.
Growing Accessibility Requirements
Rising demand for accessibility services (CART, captioning) driven by legal mandates is creating new opportunities. Court reporters with CART certification or broadcast captioning skills are seeing increased demand and higher earning potential.
Technology Integration
While AI-assisted transcription tools are expanding, human reporters remain essential for accuracy and certification. Technology is making court reporters more efficient rather than replacing them, allowing skilled professionals to increase their output and earning potential.
Career Advancement Pathways
Court reporters have several paths to increase their earnings over time:
- Obtain advanced certifications (RMR, FCRR, CRR) to qualify for higher-paying positions
- Specialize in high-demand areas like medical-legal proceedings or technical litigation
- Develop real-time transcription skills to serve premium markets
- Transition to freelance work to set your own rates and expand earning potential
- Add complementary services like legal videography or litigation support
- Teach or mentor in court reporting programs while maintaining a practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Do court reporters make good money?
Yes, court reporters earn competitive salaries. With a median salary of $67,310 per year, court reporters provide specialized services that safeguard the legal process. They’re trained, certified, and often state-licensed to provide highly accurate transcripts. Experienced professionals can earn $127,020 or more, and freelance court reporters in major markets can exceed $150,000 annually.
What is the average salary of a court reporter?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporters earned a median salary of $67,310 per year ($32.36 per hour) as of May 2024. Entry-level professionals earn around $39,100 ($18.80/hour), while the most experienced court reporters earn $127,020 or more annually ($61.07/hour).
Is a court reporter paid hourly or salary?
Many court reporters are full-time employees paid an annual salary, while others are paid hourly because they work part-time, for a court reporting contracting service, or on a freelance basis. Regardless of payment structure, court reporters also charge transcription fees (usually $3 to $5 per page) when written records are requested. Fees are predetermined by courts for official reporters, while freelance reporters set their own rates.
What is the salary for a top-level court reporter?
The most seasoned professionals in court reporting earn $127,020 or more annually ($61.07/hour or higher). Freelance court reporters in major markets with specialized skills like realtime reporting and CART services can earn $150,000 to $300,000 or more per year, depending on their client base, specialization, and work volume.
Which states pay court reporters the most?
New York, California, and Massachusetts consistently offer the highest average salaries for court reporters. New York court reporters can earn $95,000 to $100,000 annually, California reporters earn $87,000 to $92,000, and Massachusetts reporters earn $84,000 to $88,000. Washington and Texas also offer competitive salaries in the $79,000 to $86,000 range.
How much can freelance court reporters make?
Freelance court reporters can earn significantly more than in salaried positions. While many freelancers earn $80,000 to $120,000 annually, those in major markets with specialized certifications and established client bases can earn $150,000 to $300,000 or more per year. Freelance rates vary based on location, specialization, experience level, and the complexity of proceedings.
What certifications increase court reporter salaries the most?
The most valuable certifications for salary advancement include the Registered Merit Reporter (RMR), which demonstrates 225 wpm speed; the Federal Certified Realtime Reporter (FCRR) for federal court work; the Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) for instant transcription; and the Registered CART Provider – Master (RCP-M) for accessibility services. These certifications can increase earning potential by 15% to 30% or more.
Key Takeaways
- Court reporters earn a median salary of $67,310 per year nationally, with entry-level positions starting around $39,100 and experienced professionals earning $127,020 or more.
- State government court reporters typically earn the highest average salaries ($74,000 to $78,000), followed by local government ($69,000 to $72,000) and federal government ($63,000 to $66,000) positions.
- New York, California, and Massachusetts offer the highest court reporter salaries, with average compensation exceeding $87,000 to $100,000 annually in these states.
- Professional certifications like RPR, CVR, FCRR, RMR, and CRR significantly increase earning potential and job opportunities, often resulting in 15% to 30% higher salaries.
- Freelance court reporters can earn six-figure incomes by setting their own fees and schedules, with specialized professionals in major markets earning $150,000 to $300,000 or more annually.
- The court reporting industry faces a labor shortage as experienced stenographers retire, creating consistent job opportunities and upward pressure on wages for qualified professionals.
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Salary Disclaimer: 2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2025.
