Court Reporter Salary

Aurora vs Wheaton: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

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

Aurora, IL
$71,712
$34.48/hr
Wheaton, IL
$71,373
$34.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, ILWheaton, IL
Median Salary$71,712$71,373
Hourly Rate$34.48$34.32
Entry Level (P10)$41,593$43,809
25th Percentile$51,633$54,165
75th Percentile$91,791$91,358
Top Earner (P90)$111,154$110,628
Total Employed4414
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($71,712) and Wheaton ($71,373) court reporter salaries.AuroraWheatonMedian Salary$71,712$71,373Entry Level (P10)$41,593$43,809Top Earner (P90)$111,154$110,628US Median $74,788

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Aurora and Wheaton is $339 (0.47%). 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,Wheaton spans $66,819. 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
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$43,809
P25$54,165
Median$71,373
P75$91,358
P90 (Top)$110,628

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($73,854 effective) pays 0.47% more than Wheaton ($73,505 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $71,712
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $73,854
Wheaton
Nominal: $71,373
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $73,505

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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton over the same period.

Aurora, IL

+0.6%

$69,038 (2024) → $69,441 (2025)

Wheaton, IL

+0.6%

$68,712 (2024) → $69,113 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Aurora or Wheaton?

Aurora has a higher median court reporter salary at $71,712/year, compared to Wheaton at $71,373/year — a difference of $339 (0.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Wheaton?

Aurora court reporters earn $34.48/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $34.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Wheaton as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $73,854, Wheaton = $73,505), job availability (44 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $41,593 in Aurora and $43,809 in Wheaton. The Wheaton 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