Court Reporter Salary

Hilo vs Honolulu: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Hilo, HI and Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hilo, HI
$71,341
$34.30/hr
Honolulu, HI
$79,997
$38.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHilo, HIHonolulu, HI
Median Salary$71,341$79,997
Hourly Rate$34.30$38.46
Entry Level (P10)$43,441$46,398
25th Percentile$53,713$57,598
75th Percentile$91,316$102,396
Top Earner (P90)$110,578$123,995
Total Employed768
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hilo ($71,341) and Honolulu ($79,997) court reporter salaries.HiloHonoluluMedian Salary$71,341$79,997Entry Level (P10)$43,441$46,398Top Earner (P90)$110,578$123,995US Median $74,788

Verdict

Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hilo.

The salary gap between Hilo and Honolulu is $8,656 (12.13%). Honolulu's median is +6.97% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hilo spans $67,137,Honolulu spans $77,597. Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.

Hilo
P10 (Entry)$43,441
P25$53,713
Median$71,341
P75$91,316
P90 (Top)$110,578
Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$46,398
P25$57,598
Median$79,997
P75$102,396
P90 (Top)$123,995

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Honolulu ($67,055 effective) pays 12.13% more than Hilo ($59,800 effective).

Hilo
Nominal: $71,341
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $59,800
Honolulu
Nominal: $79,997
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $67,055

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hilo if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,997/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,995)
  • Larger job market (68 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,055)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Hilo grew -12.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -12.8% growth in Honolulu over the same period.

Hilo, HI

+-12.8%

$79,245 (2024) → $69,082 (2025)

Honolulu, HI

+-12.8%

$88,860 (2024) → $77,464 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Hilo or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a higher median court reporter salary at $79,997/year, compared to Hilo at $71,341/year — a difference of $8,656 (12.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hilo and Honolulu?

Hilo court reporters earn $34.30/hr while Honolulu hygienists earn $38.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hilo to Honolulu as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hilo and Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hilo = $59,800, Honolulu = $67,055), job availability (7 vs 68 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Hilo vs Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $43,441 in Hilo and $46,398 in Honolulu. The Honolulu 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