Chicago vs Oak Lawn: Court Reporter Salary (2026)
Compare court reporter salaries between Chicago, IL and Oak Lawn, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Oak Lawn, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $79,301▲ | $70,763 |
| Hourly Rate | $38.13▲ | $34.02 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,220 | $42,185▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $44,076 | $51,433▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $104,086▲ | $90,576 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $133,549▲ | $109,682 |
| Total Employed | 510▲ | 14 |
Verdict
Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oak Lawn.
The salary gap between Chicago and Oak Lawn is $8,538 (12.07%). Chicago's median is +6.03% compared to the US national median of $74,788.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $101,329,Oak Lawn spans $67,497. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($76,549 effective) pays 5.04% more than Oak Lawn ($72,876 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Chicago if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($79,301/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($133,549)
- ✓Larger job market (510 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,549)
- ✓You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle
Choose Oak Lawn if…
- ✓You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Chicago grew 25.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in Oak Lawn over the same period.
Chicago, IL
$61,220 (2019) → $76,790 (2025)
Oak Lawn, IL
$68,125 (2024) → $68,522 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Chicago, IL
Oak Lawn, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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