Aiken vs Charleston: Court Reporter Salary (2026)
Compare court reporter salaries between Aiken, SC and Charleston, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Aiken, SC | Charleston, SC |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $67,857 | $70,616▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $32.62 | $33.96▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,647 | $40,957▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $50,593 | $51,297▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $86,856 | $90,388▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $105,177 | $109,455▲ |
| Total Employed | 4 | 25▲ |
Verdict
Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Aiken.
The salary gap between Aiken and Charleston is $2,759 (4.07%). Charleston's median is -5.58% compared to the US national median of $74,788.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aiken spans $64,530,Charleston spans $68,498. Charleston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($77,176 effective) pays 4.07% more than Aiken ($74,161 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Aiken if…
- ✓You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle
Choose Charleston if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($70,616/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($109,455)
- ✓Larger job market (25 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,176)
- ✓You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Aiken grew 39.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.1% growth in Charleston over the same period.
Aiken, SC
$47,181 (2024) → $65,708 (2025)
Charleston, SC
$47,780 (2020) → $68,380 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Charleston, SC
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays court reporters more: Aiken or Charleston?
What is the hourly rate difference between Aiken and Charleston?
Should I relocate from Aiken to Charleston as a court reporter?
What do entry-level court reporters earn in Aiken vs Charleston?
Written by Maria Gomez, RPR
Career Analyst
Maria Gomez has 10 years of experience in court reporting. She specializes in transcription for civil litigation cases. She works in various courtrooms across the state.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.27% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Maria Gomez, RPR, a licensed court reporter with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov