Court Reporter Salary

Boston vs Wellesley: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$68,003
$32.70/hr
Wellesley, MA
$77,090
$37.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWellesley, MA
Median Salary$68,003$77,090
Hourly Rate$32.70$37.06
Entry Level (P10)$47,587$47,083
25th Percentile$47,628$58,146
75th Percentile$93,604$98,676
Top Earner (P90)$94,337$119,490
Total Employed406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($68,003) and Wellesley ($77,090) court reporter salaries.BostonWellesleyMedian Salary$68,003$77,090Entry Level (P10)$47,587$47,083Top Earner (P90)$94,337$119,490US Median $74,788

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Wellesley is $9,087 (13.36%). Wellesley's median is +3.08% 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,Wellesley spans $72,407. Wellesley 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
Wellesley
P10 (Entry)$47,083
P25$58,146
Median$77,090
P75$98,676
P90 (Top)$119,490

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wellesley ($71,051 effective) pays 13.12% more than Boston ($62,811 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $68,003
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $62,811
Wellesley
Nominal: $77,090
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $71,051

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Wellesley if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,090/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,490)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,051)
  • 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 -7.2% growth in Wellesley over the same period.

Boston, MA

+-24.0%

$86,640 (2019) → $65,850 (2025)

Wellesley, MA

+-7.2%

$80,400 (2024) → $74,649 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Boston or Wellesley?

Wellesley has a higher median court reporter salary at $77,090/year, compared to Boston at $68,003/year — a difference of $9,087 (13.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Wellesley?

Boston court reporters earn $32.70/hr while Wellesley hygienists earn $37.06/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Wellesley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $62,811, Wellesley = $71,051), job availability (40 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $47,587 in Boston and $47,083 in Wellesley. 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