Court Reporter Salary

Garland vs Houston: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Garland, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Garland, TX
$134,076
$64.46/hr
Houston, TX
$133,611
$64.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGarland, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$134,076$133,611
Hourly Rate$64.46$64.23
Entry Level (P10)$77,764$59,267
25th Percentile$96,535$83,174
75th Percentile$171,618$141,903
Top Earner (P90)$207,818$141,903
Total Employed43260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Garland ($134,076) and Houston ($133,611) court reporter salaries.GarlandHoustonMedian Salary$134,076$133,611Entry Level (P10)$77,764$59,267Top Earner (P90)$207,818$141,903US Median $74,788

Verdict

Garland, TX offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houston.

The salary gap between Garland and Houston is $465 (0.35%). Garland's median is +79.27% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Garland spans $130,054,Houston spans $82,636. Garland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Garland
P10 (Entry)$77,764
P25$96,535
Median$134,076
P75$171,618
P90 (Top)$207,818
Houston
P10 (Entry)$59,267
P25$83,174
Median$133,611
P75$141,903
P90 (Top)$141,903

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Garland ($139,663 effective) pays 3.10% more than Houston ($135,468 effective).

Garland
Nominal: $134,076
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $139,663
Houston
Nominal: $133,611
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $135,468

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Garland if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,076/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($207,818)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,663)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Garland grew 91.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 119.8% growth in Houston over the same period.

Garland, TX

+91.4%

$67,838 (2024) → $129,831 (2025)

Houston, TX

+119.8%

$58,870 (2019) → $129,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Garland or Houston?

Garland has a higher median court reporter salary at $134,076/year, compared to Houston at $133,611/year — a difference of $465 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Garland and Houston?

Garland court reporters earn $64.46/hr while Houston hygienists earn $64.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Garland to Houston as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Garland and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Garland = $139,663, Houston = $135,468), job availability (43 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Garland vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $77,764 in Garland and $59,267 in Houston. The Garland area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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