Court Reporter Salary

Bellevue vs Kearney: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Bellevue, NE and Kearney, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bellevue, NE
$66,264
$31.86/hr
Kearney, NE
$65,898
$31.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellevue, NEKearney, NE
Median Salary$66,264$65,898
Hourly Rate$31.86$31.68
Entry Level (P10)$38,850$41,422
25th Percentile$49,123$50,777
75th Percentile$84,818$84,349
Top Earner (P90)$102,709$102,141
Total Employed159
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellevue ($66,264) and Kearney ($65,898) court reporter salaries.BellevueKearneyMedian Salary$66,264$65,898Entry Level (P10)$38,850$41,422Top Earner (P90)$102,709$102,141US Median $74,788

Verdict

Bellevue, NE offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kearney.

The salary gap between Bellevue and Kearney is $366 (0.56%). Bellevue's median is -11.40% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellevue spans $63,859,Kearney spans $60,719. Bellevue has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellevue
P10 (Entry)$38,850
P25$49,123
Median$66,264
P75$84,818
P90 (Top)$102,709
Kearney
P10 (Entry)$41,422
P25$50,777
Median$65,898
P75$84,349
P90 (Top)$102,141

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellevue ($72,420 effective) pays 0.56% more than Kearney ($72,020 effective).

Bellevue
Nominal: $66,264
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $72,420
Kearney
Nominal: $65,898
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $72,020

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellevue if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,264/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,709)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,420)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Kearney if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Bellevue grew 34.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.1% growth in Kearney over the same period.

Bellevue, NE

+34.1%

$47,846 (2024) → $64,166 (2025)

Kearney, NE

+34.1%

$47,581 (2024) → $63,811 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Bellevue or Kearney?

Bellevue has a higher median court reporter salary at $66,264/year, compared to Kearney at $65,898/year — a difference of $366 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellevue and Kearney?

Bellevue court reporters earn $31.86/hr while Kearney hygienists earn $31.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellevue to Kearney as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellevue and Kearney. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellevue = $72,420, Kearney = $72,020), job availability (15 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Bellevue vs Kearney?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $38,850 in Bellevue and $41,422 in Kearney. The Kearney area offers higher starting salaries.
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