Cottage Grove vs St. Paul: Court Reporter Salary (2026)
Compare court reporter salaries between Cottage Grove, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Cottage Grove, MN | St. Paul, MN |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $72,705 | $88,841▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $34.96 | $42.71▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,976 | $51,528▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $53,783 | $65,505▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $93,063 | $113,717▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $112,693 | $137,703▲ |
| Total Employed | 8 | 80▲ |
Verdict
St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cottage Grove.
The salary gap between Cottage Grove and St. Paul is $16,136 (22.19%). St. Paul's median is +18.79% compared to the US national median of $74,788.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cottage Grove spans $69,717,St. Paul spans $86,175. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($90,194 effective) pays 22.19% more than Cottage Grove ($73,812 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Cottage Grove if…
- ✓You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle
Choose St. Paul if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($88,841/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($137,703)
- ✓Larger job market (80 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,194)
- ✓You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Cottage Grove grew 11.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.3% growth in St. Paul over the same period.
Cottage Grove, MN
$63,190 (2024) → $70,403 (2025)
St. Paul, MN
$66,551 (2024) → $86,028 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Cottage Grove, MN
St. Paul, MN
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays court reporters more: Cottage Grove or St. Paul?
What is the hourly rate difference between Cottage Grove and St. Paul?
Should I relocate from Cottage Grove to St. Paul as a court reporter?
What do entry-level court reporters earn in Cottage Grove vs St. Paul?
Related Comparisons
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