Court Reporter Salary

Middletown vs Waterbury: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Middletown, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Middletown, CT
$74,585
$35.86/hr
Waterbury, CT
$75,328
$36.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$74,585$75,328
Hourly Rate$35.86$36.22
Entry Level (P10)$44,392$44,848
25th Percentile$55,399$56,296
75th Percentile$95,468$96,420
Top Earner (P90)$115,607$116,759
Total Employed722
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($74,585) and Waterbury ($75,328) court reporter salaries.MiddletownWaterburyMedian Salary$74,585$75,328Entry Level (P10)$44,392$44,848Top Earner (P90)$115,607$116,759US Median $74,788

Verdict

Waterbury, CT offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Middletown.

The salary gap between Middletown and Waterbury is $743 (1.00%). Waterbury's median is +0.72% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $71,215,Waterbury spans $71,911. Waterbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$44,392
P25$55,399
Median$74,585
P75$95,468
P90 (Top)$115,607
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$44,848
P25$56,296
Median$75,328
P75$96,420
P90 (Top)$116,759

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waterbury ($69,813 effective) pays 1.00% more than Middletown ($69,124 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $74,585
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $69,124
Waterbury
Nominal: $75,328
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $69,813

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,328/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,759)
  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,813)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Middletown grew -3.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.3% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

Middletown, CT

+-3.3%

$74,726 (2024) → $72,223 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+-3.3%

$75,471 (2024) → $72,943 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Middletown or Waterbury?

Waterbury has a higher median court reporter salary at $75,328/year, compared to Middletown at $74,585/year — a difference of $743 (1.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and Waterbury?

Middletown court reporters earn $35.86/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $36.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to Waterbury as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $69,124, Waterbury = $69,813), job availability (7 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Middletown vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $44,392 in Middletown and $44,848 in Waterbury. The Waterbury area offers higher starting salaries.
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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