Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Framingham, MA: $47,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Framingham, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,174 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Framingham's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,478 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,333) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the court reporting field in Framingham, Massachusetts, the starting court reporter salary is projected to begin at around $47,174 in 2026. This initial pay can feel quite modest compared to the city’s median salary of $81,333, highlighting a notable gap for entry-level positions. However, over the first few years, it’s realistic to envision salary growth as one progresses from this starting point to approximately $58,765, and potentially reaching the median as they gain experience and expertise. Considering the chronic shortage of court reporters in the industry—an estimated gap of 5,500 by the NCRA—Framingham presents an attractive market for new graduates seeking opportunities. The solid demand for entry-level positions may help buoy salaries upward over time as the workforce strives to meet legal and transcription needs.
About the Framingham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Framingham
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Framingham
Entry-level court reporters in Framingham, MA typically start between $47,174 and $58,765 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $78,893 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,333 — 8.75% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average court reporting program cost in Massachusetts of $38,000 represents just 80.55% of the starting court reporter pay ($47,174/year) in Framingham. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover NCRA-approved court reporting programs at community colleges and vocational schools. Includes tuition and certification exam fees. Many states additionally require a state Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) license.
CR Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Framingham
- 1Research the Framingham market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $47,174 to $58,765, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the court reporting field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Framingham, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Framingham for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Framingham's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Court Reporter Compensation Range
The court reporter wage spread in Framingham is $78,893 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,174, experienced hygienists can earn up to $126,067.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,230
2025 BLS Actual
$45,680
2026 Current Est.
$47,174
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Framingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,263 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,914 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,199 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,716 | Projected |
Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Framingham, MA grew 33.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,230 in 2019 to $45,680 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $48,716. New graduates entering the Framingham job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Framingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.27% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your court reporting Career in Framingham
In the Framingham job market, organizations such as Veritext, US Legal Support, and Esquire are known to hire new grad court reporters, offering mentorship and structured training through freelance opportunities. Additionally, positions in official state courts typically require civil service exams, while broadcast captioning firms like VITAC and NCI often look for experienced realtime reporters. For recent graduates, obtaining relevant credentials can significantly enhance starting pay in MA. For instance, earning the NCRA RPR (Registered Professional Reporter) designation or pursuing advanced certifications like the RMR or CRR can result in higher compensation. In the first three years, entry-level court reporters can expect to see salary increases as they build their skills, particularly focusing on the realtime and CART specialties, which command premium pay in light of the ongoing competition with digital recording technologies.
More salary data for Framingham, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new court reporting graduates. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Framingham. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Framingham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.27%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for court reporters (SOC 27-3092).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gomez, RPR, a licensed court reporter with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov