Davenport vs Des Moines: Court Reporter Salary (2026)
Compare court reporter salaries between Davenport, IA and Des Moines, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $69,812 | $84,723▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $33.56 | $40.73▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,491 | $64,379▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $50,765 | $69,769▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $89,358 | $99,965▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $108,208 | $122,850▲ |
| Total Employed | 15 | 50▲ |
Verdict
Des Moines, IA offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.
The salary gap between Davenport and Des Moines is $14,911 (21.36%). Des Moines's median is +13.28% compared to the US national median of $74,788.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $67,717,Des Moines spans $58,471. Davenport 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, Des Moines ($92,390 effective) pays 19.64% more than Davenport ($77,226 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Davenport if…
- ✓You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle
Choose Des Moines if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($84,723/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($122,850)
- ✓Larger job market (50 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,390)
- ✓You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Davenport grew 24.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.3% growth in Des Moines over the same period.
Davenport, IA
$54,140 (2024) → $67,601 (2025)
Des Moines, IA
$77,920 (2019) → $82,040 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Davenport, IA
Des Moines, IA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays court reporters more: Davenport or Des Moines?
What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Des Moines?
Should I relocate from Davenport to Des Moines as a court reporter?
What do entry-level court reporters earn in Davenport vs Des Moines?
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