All careers › Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
Court reporter: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $42,130lowest 10% earn less
- $53,76025th percentile
- $72,420median
- $100,78075th percentile
- $130,560top 10% earn more
Court reporters and simultaneous captioners earned a median of $72,420 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to change by -0.1% from 2025 to 2035, while about 1,800 openings a year are still projected[2][3].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -0.1%[2]
- Openings per year
- 1,800[3]
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award[6]
How much do court reporters make?
The median pay for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners was $72,420 a year, or $34.82 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $78,760 a year, or $37.86 an hour[7]. For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980[5].
Pay spreads out a lot. Here are the annual percentiles[4]:
| Point in the range | Annual wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[4] | $42,130 | |
| 25th percentile[4] | $53,760 | |
| Median[1] | $72,420 | |
| 75th percentile[4] | $100,780 | |
| 90th percentile[4] | $130,560 |
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $42,130, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $130,560[4]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. The hourly figures for the same points run from $20.26 at the 10th percentile to $62.77 at the 90th[9].
These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or nonproduction bonuses[10]. That matters here, because 33.4% of court reporters and simultaneous captioners were self-employed in 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Pay depends heavily on where you work. Of the 38 states with published data, California had the highest median at $116,020, followed by Texas at $110,080, Washington at $107,670 and New York at $101,990[12]. Delaware had the lowest median of the listed states at $44,760[12].
For jobs, California and New York each had 1,400, Texas had 1,270, Florida had 1,110 and Indiana had 890[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the highest medians were in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($133,900), Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX ($130,730) and Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX ($129,380)[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, with 1,060 jobs and a median of $90,230[15]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin followed with 510 jobs and a median of $76,790[15].
Show median pay in 38 states
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| California[12] | $116,020 | 1,400 |
| Texas | $110,080 | 1,270 |
| Washington | $107,670 | 80 |
| New York | $101,990 | 1,400 |
| Iowa | $93,810 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $92,250 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $83,680 | 320 |
| Colorado | $83,010 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $79,940 | 50 |
| Arizona | $77,770 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $76,480 | 60 |
| Illinois | $75,890 | 770 |
| South Dakota | $75,210 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $73,510 | 110 |
| Missouri | $72,500 | 270 |
| North Dakota | $70,540 | 60 |
| Idaho | $69,330 | 40 |
| Alabama | $67,340 | 350 |
| Ohio | $67,330 | 340 |
| Mississippi | $67,300 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $65,640 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,100 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $63,380 | 270 |
| Montana | $62,730 | 50 |
| Nevada | $62,030 | 70 |
| Michigan | $61,600 | 260 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $60,800 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $59,390 | 210 |
| Maryland | $59,300 | n/a |
| Arkansas | $59,180 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $56,790 | 90 |
| Virginia | $55,210 | 320 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | 890 |
| Kentucky | $50,350 | 80 |
| Florida | $49,240 | 1,110 |
| Maine | $49,110 | 30 |
| Delaware | $44,760 | 40 |
How to become a court reporter
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related occupation and short-term on-the-job training[6]. The usual steps are below.
- First, finish a training program. Community colleges and technical institutes offer certificate programs, and some offer associate's degrees[16][17]. Finishing a court reporting program typically takes 2 or 3 years[18].
- Second, learn the tools and the language. Programs usually cover English grammar, phonetics, legal procedures and legal terminology, with practice preparing transcripts[19]. Some schools also teach equipment such as stenotype machines or steno masks[20].
- Third, meet your state's rules. In many states, workers need a state license or must be certified through a professional group[16][21]. The rules differ from state to state, and also depend on the kind of reporting or captioning[21]. Certification usually involves a written test and a skills test with a minimum number of words per minute at high accuracy[22].
- Fourth, complete on-the-job training. After the formal program, new reporters train on the specific equipment and terminology used in complex medical or legal proceedings. The length varies by type of reporting or captioning[23].
Professional associations often require continuing education credits to renew a certification[24]. For exact exam and renewal rules, BLS points readers to the association's website or the state judicial agency[25].
The work calls for long stretches of focus and error-free transcripts, since they serve as legal records[26][27].
What court reporters do
O*NET describes the job as capturing, storing and transcribing pretrial and trial proceedings and other spoken information. It also covers stenocaptioners, who write live captions for broadcasts, live or prerecorded, for viewers with hearing loss[28]. Typical tasks include[29]:
- Recording what is said in courts, legislative meetings, committee meetings and depositions.
- Using a stenograph machine, a stenomask or computerized recording equipment.
- Turning recorded symbols into text with computer aided transcription.
- Asking speakers to repeat statements that were hard to hear.
- Proofreading transcripts for spelling.
- Giving transcripts to judges, lawyers or the public on request.
- Filing the court transcript with the clerk's office.
O*NET workers report job titles such as court reporter, deposition reporter, official court reporter, digital court reporter and captioner[30].
Where they work
BLS says court reporters often work in courts or legislatures. Self-employed freelance reporters are hired by law firms or corporations for depositions and other events as needed[31]. Self-employed workers were the largest employer group listed, at 33% in 2025[32]. Some reporters travel to meeting sites or public events, and simultaneous captioners may work remotely from home or a central office[33].
Reporters in a legal setting or office typically work full time. Freelancers often have more schedule flexibility[34]. BLS notes that court reporting positions may be stressful because of the speed and accuracy required and the time-sensitive nature of proceedings[35].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners to change by -0.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 19,900 jobs to 19,900[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[36]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of 12,870 jobs covers wage and salary jobs only[37].
Even with flat employment, BLS projects about 1,800 openings a year on average[3]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations[3]. Each year, 4.9% of workers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[38].
One factor named by BLS is artificial intelligence. The share of simultaneous captioning done by people is expected to decrease as AI does more of it, especially for video content[39].
Is it a good fit?
The pay figures are strong next to the all-occupations median, with a median of $72,420 against $50,980[1][5]. Training typically takes 2 or 3 years of a program, followed by on-the-job training[18][23]. Pay varies by state, from a $116,020 median in California to $44,760 in Delaware[12]. Employment is projected to be flat and AI is named as a factor for captioning[2][39]. The role also involves focus over long periods and error-free work[26][27]. Licensing rules differ by state, so checking your state's requirements early makes sense[21].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a court reporter make an hour?
- The median was $34.82 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $37.86[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $20.26 and the 90th was $62.77[9].
- How long does it take to become a court reporter?
- A court reporting program usually takes 2 to 3 years[18]. After the program, on-the-job training follows, and its length varies by type of reporting or captioning[23].
- What degree do you need to be a court reporter?
- BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[6]. Programs lead to a certificate or an associate's degree[17].
- Is court reporting in demand?
- Employment is projected to change by -0.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all occupations[2][36]. About 1,800 openings a year are projected, which include jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations[3].
- What is the highest paying state for court reporters?
- California had the highest median at $116,020, followed by Texas at $110,080[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in the US was $72,420 per year and $34.82 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners is projected to decline 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 19,900 to 19,900 jobs (a change of +0). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: about 1,800 openings for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: 10th percentile $42,130, 25th percentile $53,760, 75th percentile $100,780, 90th percentile $130,560. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners was $78,760 per year and $37.86 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: 10th percentile $20.26, 25th percentile $25.85, 75th percentile $48.45, 90th percentile $62.77. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 33.4% of Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners jobs: California 1,400; New York 1,400; Texas 1,270; Florida 1,110; Indiana 890. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (areas with at least 100 jobs): Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $133,900; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $130,730; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $129,380; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $129,270; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $125,970; San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $123,900; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $123,230; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $118,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,060 (median $90,230); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 510 (median $76,790); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 440 (median $48,430); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 290 (median $86,510); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 260 (median $80,000); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 260 (median $129,380). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 27-3092.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Captioner, Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR), Court Recorder, Court Reporter, Court Stenographer, Deposition Reporter, Digital Court Reporter, Official Court Reporter. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of court reporters and simultaneous captioners in 2025: Self-employed workers 33%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 12,870 people were employed as Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: 4.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners: Capital/labor substitution - share decreases as simultaneous captioning is increasingly done by artificial intelligence (AI), especially for video content. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.