Court Reporter Salary

Bozeman vs Kalispell: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Bozeman, MT and Kalispell, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bozeman, MT
$54,468
$26.19/hr
Kalispell, MT
$52,854
$25.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBozeman, MTKalispell, MT
Median Salary$54,468$52,854
Hourly Rate$26.19$25.41
Entry Level (P10)$33,481$31,857
25th Percentile$41,413$39,607
75th Percentile$69,719$67,652
Top Earner (P90)$84,425$81,923
Total Employed144
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bozeman ($54,468) and Kalispell ($52,854) court reporter salaries.BozemanKalispellMedian Salary$54,468$52,854Entry Level (P10)$33,481$31,857Top Earner (P90)$84,425$81,923US Median $74,788

Verdict

Bozeman, MT offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kalispell.

The salary gap between Bozeman and Kalispell is $1,614 (3.05%). Bozeman's median is -27.17% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bozeman spans $50,944,Kalispell spans $50,066. Bozeman has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bozeman
P10 (Entry)$33,481
P25$41,413
Median$54,468
P75$69,719
P90 (Top)$84,425
Kalispell
P10 (Entry)$31,857
P25$39,607
Median$52,854
P75$67,652
P90 (Top)$81,923

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bozeman ($56,620 effective) pays 3.05% more than Kalispell ($54,942 effective).

Bozeman
Nominal: $54,468
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $56,620
Kalispell
Nominal: $52,854
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $54,942

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bozeman if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,468/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,425)
  • Larger job market (14 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,620)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Kalispell if…

  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Bozeman grew 7.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.1% growth in Kalispell over the same period.

Bozeman, MT

+7.1%

$49,225 (2024) → $52,743 (2025)

Kalispell, MT

+7.1%

$47,766 (2024) → $51,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Bozeman or Kalispell?

Bozeman has a higher median court reporter salary at $54,468/year, compared to Kalispell at $52,854/year — a difference of $1,614 (3.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bozeman and Kalispell?

Bozeman court reporters earn $26.19/hr while Kalispell hygienists earn $25.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bozeman to Kalispell as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bozeman and Kalispell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bozeman = $56,620, Kalispell = $54,942), job availability (14 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Bozeman vs Kalispell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $33,481 in Bozeman and $31,857 in Kalispell. The Bozeman 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