Court Reporter Salary

Dracut vs Worcester: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Dracut, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dracut, MA
$77,725
$37.36/hr
Worcester, MA
$82,947
$39.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDracut, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$77,725$82,947
Hourly Rate$37.36$39.88
Entry Level (P10)$48,507$48,449
25th Percentile$59,391$61,400
75th Percentile$99,488$106,173
Top Earner (P90)$120,474$128,569
Total Employed634
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dracut ($77,725) and Worcester ($82,947) court reporter salaries.DracutWorcesterMedian Salary$77,725$82,947Entry Level (P10)$48,507$48,449Top Earner (P90)$120,474$128,569US Median $74,788

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dracut.

The salary gap between Dracut and Worcester is $5,222 (6.72%). Worcester's median is +10.91% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dracut spans $71,967,Worcester spans $80,120. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.

Dracut
P10 (Entry)$48,507
P25$59,391
Median$77,725
P75$99,488
P90 (Top)$120,474
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$48,449
P25$61,400
Median$82,947
P75$106,173
P90 (Top)$128,569

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($76,449 effective) pays 6.72% more than Dracut ($71,636 effective).

Dracut
Nominal: $77,725
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $71,636
Worcester
Nominal: $82,947
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $76,449

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dracut if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,947/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,569)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,449)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Dracut grew -7.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 102.7% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Dracut, MA

+-7.2%

$81,063 (2024) → $75,264 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+102.7%

$39,630 (2020) → $80,321 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Dracut or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median court reporter salary at $82,947/year, compared to Dracut at $77,725/year — a difference of $5,222 (6.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dracut and Worcester?

Dracut court reporters earn $37.36/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $39.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dracut to Worcester as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dracut and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dracut = $71,636, Worcester = $76,449), job availability (6 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Dracut vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $48,507 in Dracut and $48,449 in Worcester. The Dracut 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