Rockford vs Waukegan: Court Reporter Salary (2026)
Compare court reporter salaries between Rockford, IL and Waukegan, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Rockford, IL | Waukegan, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $72,029 | $72,725▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $34.63 | $34.97▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,062 | $42,181▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $53,207▲ | $52,467 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,196 | $93,088▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $111,644 | $112,723▲ |
| Total Employed | 34▲ | 18 |
Verdict
Waukegan, IL offers better overall compensation for court reporters, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rockford.
The salary gap between Rockford and Waukegan is $696 (0.97%). Waukegan's median is -2.76% compared to the US national median of $74,788.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockford spans $69,582,Waukegan spans $70,542. Waukegan has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced court reporters.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukegan ($74,897 effective) pays 0.97% more than Rockford ($74,180 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Rockford if…
- ✓Larger job market (34 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle
Choose Waukegan if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($72,725/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($112,723)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,897)
- ✓You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, court reporter salaries in Rockford grew 0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in Waukegan over the same period.
Rockford, IL
$69,343 (2024) → $69,748 (2025)
Waukegan, IL
$70,013 (2024) → $70,422 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Rockford, IL
Waukegan, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays court reporters more: Rockford or Waukegan?
What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Waukegan?
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Related Comparisons
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.
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