Court Reporter Salary

Aurora vs Rock Island: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Aurora, IL and Rock Island, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, IL
$71,712
$34.48/hr
Rock Island, IL
$70,579
$33.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, ILRock Island, IL
Median Salary$71,712$70,579
Hourly Rate$34.48$33.93
Entry Level (P10)$41,593$40,936
25th Percentile$51,633$55,175
75th Percentile$91,791$90,341
Top Earner (P90)$111,154$109,397
Total Employed445
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($71,712) and Rock Island ($70,579) court reporter salaries.AuroraRock IslandMedian Salary$71,712$70,579Entry Level (P10)$41,593$40,936Top Earner (P90)$111,154$109,397US Median $74,788

Verdict

Aurora, IL offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rock Island.

The salary gap between Aurora and Rock Island is $1,133 (1.61%). Aurora's median is -4.11% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $69,561,Rock Island spans $68,461. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$41,593
P25$51,633
Median$71,712
P75$91,791
P90 (Top)$111,154
Rock Island
P10 (Entry)$40,936
P25$55,175
Median$70,579
P75$90,341
P90 (Top)$109,397

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($73,854 effective) pays 1.61% more than Rock Island ($72,687 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $71,712
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $73,854
Rock Island
Nominal: $70,579
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $72,687

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,712/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,154)
  • Larger job market (44 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,854)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rock Island if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Aurora grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in Rock Island over the same period.

Aurora, IL

+0.6%

$69,038 (2024) → $69,441 (2025)

Rock Island, IL

+0.6%

$67,948 (2024) → $68,344 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Aurora or Rock Island?

Aurora has a higher median court reporter salary at $71,712/year, compared to Rock Island at $70,579/year — a difference of $1,133 (1.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Rock Island?

Aurora court reporters earn $34.48/hr while Rock Island hygienists earn $33.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Rock Island as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Rock Island. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $73,854, Rock Island = $72,687), job availability (44 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Aurora vs Rock Island?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $41,593 in Aurora and $40,936 in Rock Island. The Aurora area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by John Patel, CCRData verified by Aisha Ali, RMR

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