Court Reporter Salary

Fayetteville vs Searcy: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Searcy, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$48,668
$23.40/hr
Searcy, AR
$46,014
$22.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARSearcy, AR
Median Salary$48,668$46,014
Hourly Rate$23.40$22.12
Entry Level (P10)$28,228$27,703
25th Percentile$37,294$34,314
75th Percentile$62,296$58,898
Top Earner (P90)$75,436$71,321
Total Employed185
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($48,668) and Searcy ($46,014) court reporter salaries.FayettevilleSearcyMedian Salary$48,668$46,014Entry Level (P10)$28,228$27,703Top Earner (P90)$75,436$71,321US Median $74,788

Verdict

Fayetteville, AR offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Searcy.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Searcy is $2,654 (5.77%). Fayetteville's median is -34.93% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $47,208,Searcy spans $43,618. Fayetteville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$28,228
P25$37,294
Median$48,668
P75$62,296
P90 (Top)$75,436
Searcy
P10 (Entry)$27,703
P25$34,314
Median$46,014
P75$58,898
P90 (Top)$71,321

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fayetteville ($56,005 effective) pays 5.77% more than Searcy ($52,951 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $48,668
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $56,005
Searcy
Nominal: $46,014
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $52,951

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,668/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,436)
  • Larger job market (18 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,005)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Searcy if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Fayetteville grew 19.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.7% growth in Searcy over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+19.7%

$39,378 (2024) → $47,127 (2025)

Searcy, AR

+19.7%

$37,231 (2024) → $44,557 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Fayetteville or Searcy?

Fayetteville has a higher median court reporter salary at $48,668/year, compared to Searcy at $46,014/year — a difference of $2,654 (5.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Searcy?

Fayetteville court reporters earn $23.40/hr while Searcy hygienists earn $22.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Searcy as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Searcy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $56,005, Searcy = $52,951), job availability (18 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Fayetteville vs Searcy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $28,228 in Fayetteville and $27,703 in Searcy. The Fayetteville 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