Court Reporter Salary

Boston vs Cambridge: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$68,003
$32.70/hr
Cambridge, MA
$66,380
$31.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MACambridge, MA
Median Salary$68,003$66,380
Hourly Rate$32.70$31.91
Entry Level (P10)$47,587$38,500
25th Percentile$47,628$47,793
75th Percentile$93,604$84,966
Top Earner (P90)$94,337$102,889
Total Employed4022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($68,003) and Cambridge ($66,380) court reporter salaries.BostonCambridgeMedian Salary$68,003$66,380Entry Level (P10)$47,587$38,500Top Earner (P90)$94,337$102,889US Median $74,788

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cambridge.

The salary gap between Boston and Cambridge is $1,623 (2.45%). Boston's median is -9.07% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $46,750,Cambridge spans $64,389. Cambridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$47,587
P25$47,628
Median$68,003
P75$93,604
P90 (Top)$94,337
Cambridge
P10 (Entry)$38,500
P25$47,793
Median$66,380
P75$84,966
P90 (Top)$102,889

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($62,811 effective) pays 2.67% more than Cambridge ($61,180 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $68,003
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $62,811
Cambridge
Nominal: $66,380
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $61,180

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,003/year)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,811)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Cambridge if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($102,889)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Boston grew -24.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -23.0% growth in Cambridge over the same period.

Boston, MA

+-24.0%

$86,640 (2019) → $65,850 (2025)

Cambridge, MA

+-23.0%

$83,435 (2024) → $64,278 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Boston or Cambridge?

Boston has a higher median court reporter salary at $68,003/year, compared to Cambridge at $66,380/year — a difference of $1,623 (2.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Cambridge?

Boston court reporters earn $32.70/hr while Cambridge hygienists earn $31.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Cambridge as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Cambridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $62,811, Cambridge = $61,180), job availability (40 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Boston vs Cambridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $47,587 in Boston and $38,500 in Cambridge. The Boston 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