Court Reporter Salary

Chattanooga vs Franklin: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Franklin, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$58,049
$27.90/hr
Franklin, TN
$55,958
$26.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNFranklin, TN
Median Salary$58,049$55,958
Hourly Rate$27.90$26.90
Entry Level (P10)$33,668$33,918
25th Percentile$41,795$42,143
75th Percentile$74,303$71,626
Top Earner (P90)$89,976$86,734
Total Employed3618
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($58,049) and Franklin ($55,958) court reporter salaries.ChattanoogaFranklinMedian Salary$58,049$55,958Entry Level (P10)$33,668$33,918Top Earner (P90)$89,976$86,734US Median $74,788

Verdict

Chattanooga, TN offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Franklin.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Franklin is $2,091 (3.74%). Chattanooga's median is -22.38% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $56,308,Franklin spans $52,816. Chattanooga has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$33,668
P25$41,795
Median$58,049
P75$74,303
P90 (Top)$89,976
Franklin
P10 (Entry)$33,918
P25$42,143
Median$55,958
P75$71,626
P90 (Top)$86,734

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($63,234 effective) pays 3.74% more than Franklin ($60,956 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $58,049
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $63,234
Franklin
Nominal: $55,958
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $60,956

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,049/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,976)
  • Larger job market (36 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,234)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Chattanooga grew 11.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.8% growth in Franklin over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+11.8%

$50,298 (2024) → $56,211 (2025)

Franklin, TN

+11.8%

$48,485 (2024) → $54,186 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Chattanooga or Franklin?

Chattanooga has a higher median court reporter salary at $58,049/year, compared to Franklin at $55,958/year — a difference of $2,091 (3.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Franklin?

Chattanooga court reporters earn $27.90/hr while Franklin hygienists earn $26.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Franklin as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Franklin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $63,234, Franklin = $60,956), job availability (36 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Chattanooga vs Franklin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $33,668 in Chattanooga and $33,918 in Franklin. The Franklin 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