Court Reporter Salary 2025: $72,420 median, high pay in CA & TX
The median court reporter and simultaneous captioner earns $72,420 per year, or about $35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% bring in over $130,560, while the bottom 10% make around $42,130. With only 12,870 people employed nationwide and a projected decline of 0.3% from 2024 to 2034, this is a small, specialized field where location and skill level dramatically affect earnings.
How much Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners earn
The BLS reports mean annual wages of $78,760 for court reporters and simultaneous captioners. That breaks down to roughly $37.86 per hour. The typical range spans from $42,130 at the 10th percentile to $130,560 at the 90th.
Pay varies widely by setting. Those working for state government agencies often see higher medians, while firms that provide captioning for live events or television can push earnings into six figures for experienced professionals.
- National median: $72,420
- 10th percentile: $42,130
- 90th percentile: $130,560
- Mean hourly wage: $37.86
Pay by state
California tops the list at $116,020 average annual wage, followed by Texas ($110,080), Washington ($107,670), New York ($101,990), and Iowa ($93,810). These states tend to have higher costs of living or strong demand for captioning and legal transcription.
On the lower end, Florida averages $49,240, Maine $49,110, and Delaware $44,760. The gap between top- and bottom-paying states exceeds $70,000.
How to become a Court Reporter or Simultaneous Captioner
To enter this field, you typically need an associate degree in court reporting from a program accredited by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) or an equivalent body. Programs take 2 to 4 years and cover stenography, real-time captioning, legal terminology, and transcription.
Most states require a professional certification or state license. The Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) credential from NCRA is a common starting point. For captioning, the Certified Realtime Captioner (CRC) or Certified CART Provider (CCP) certifications open doors.
Hands-on speed building is critical — you'll need to reach 225 words per minute with 95% accuracy for court reporting, and even faster for live captioning.
- Earn an associate degree from a court reporting program (NCRA-accredited recommended).
- Pass state licensing exams if required (check your state’s licensure board).
- Get nationally certified: RPR for court, CRC or CCP for captioning.
- Reach minimum steno speeds: 225 wpm for court, 200-260 wpm for CART/captioning.
Job outlook
The BLS projects a 0.3% decline in employment for court reporters and simultaneous captioners from 2024 to 2034, meaning the occupation is shrinking slightly. However, about 1,700 openings each year are expected due to retirements and workers leaving the field.
Demand for real-time captioning on live broadcasts and events may offset some courtroom losses. Still, aspiring reporters should be ready for a competitive job market in most regions.
Frequently asked questions
Is court reporter a good career?
It can be lucrative — the median is $72,420 and top earners surpass $130,000 — but the field is shrinking by 0.3% annually. Job security is strongest for those willing to relocate to high-paying states or specialize in captioning.
Do I need a degree to be a court reporter?
Most court reporters complete an associate degree in court reporting from an NCRA-accredited program. Apprenticeships exist but are rare. Almost all employers require certification
What is the highest-paying state for court reporters?
California pays the most, averaging $116,020 per year. Texas, Washington, New York, and Iowa also top $90,000.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners data.