Court Reporter Salary

Ridgeland vs Southaven: Court Reporter Salary (2026)

Compare court reporter salaries between Ridgeland, MS and Southaven, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ridgeland, MS
$43,032
$20.68/hr
Southaven, MS
$44,089
$21.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRidgeland, MSSouthaven, MS
Median Salary$43,032$44,089
Hourly Rate$20.68$21.20
Entry Level (P10)$26,488$27,124
25th Percentile$34,236$33,506
75th Percentile$55,080$56,434
Top Earner (P90)$66,699$68,338
Total Employed514
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ridgeland ($43,032) and Southaven ($44,089) court reporter salaries.RidgelandSouthavenMedian Salary$43,032$44,089Entry Level (P10)$26,488$27,124Top Earner (P90)$66,699$68,338US Median $74,788

Verdict

Southaven, MS offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ridgeland.

The salary gap between Ridgeland and Southaven is $1,057 (2.46%). Southaven's median is -41.05% compared to the US national median of $74,788.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ridgeland spans $40,211,Southaven spans $41,214. Southaven has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.

Ridgeland
P10 (Entry)$26,488
P25$34,236
Median$43,032
P75$55,080
P90 (Top)$66,699
Southaven
P10 (Entry)$27,124
P25$33,506
Median$44,089
P75$56,434
P90 (Top)$68,338

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Southaven ($51,446 effective) pays 2.46% more than Ridgeland ($50,212 effective).

Ridgeland
Nominal: $43,032
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $50,212
Southaven
Nominal: $44,089
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $51,446

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ridgeland if…

  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Southaven if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,089/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,338)
  • Larger job market (14 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,446)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Ridgeland grew 20.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Southaven over the same period.

Ridgeland, MS

+20.6%

$34,558 (2024) → $41,669 (2025)

Southaven, MS

+20.6%

$35,407 (2024) → $42,693 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays court reporters more: Ridgeland or Southaven?

Southaven has a higher median court reporter salary at $44,089/year, compared to Ridgeland at $43,032/year — a difference of $1,057 (2.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ridgeland and Southaven?

Ridgeland court reporters earn $20.68/hr while Southaven hygienists earn $21.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ridgeland to Southaven as a court reporter?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ridgeland and Southaven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ridgeland = $50,212, Southaven = $51,446), job availability (5 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level court reporters earn in Ridgeland vs Southaven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) court reporters earn $26,488 in Ridgeland and $27,124 in Southaven. The Southaven 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