Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Plymouth, MA: $47,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Plymouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,386 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,674 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,700) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the court reporting field in Plymouth, Massachusetts can expect a starting court reporter salary around $47,386. Though this figure sits below the city's median annual salary of $81,700, there is potential for growth as these new professionals advance their careers. The trajectory from this entry-level mark to the 25th percentile, which is $59,476, shows a promising path within their first 3-5 years. Plymouth currently represents a viable market for new grad court reporter pay in MA, offering opportunities that can lead to competitive wages as the demand for skilled court reporters remains high.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Entry-level court reporters in Plymouth, MA typically start between $47,386 and $59,476 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $79,249 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,700 — 9.24% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average court reporting program cost in Massachusetts of $38,000 represents just 80.19% of the starting court reporter pay ($47,386/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $47,386 to $59,476, 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 Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth'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 Plymouth is $79,249 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,386, experienced hygienists can earn up to $126,635.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,385
2025 BLS Actual
$45,886
2026 Current Est.
$47,386
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,417 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,975 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,936 | Projected |
Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MA grew 33.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,385 in 2019 to $45,886 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $48,936. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth
Employers in Plymouth actively seek out newly minted court reporters, particularly through reputable freelance court reporting agencies like Veritext and US Legal Support, which often provide structured mentorship for entry-level hires. Official state court positions and broadcast captioning firms are also valuable for those entering the field. To enhance starting pay, holding a court reporting program certificate, as well as credentials like the NCRA RPR and optional RMR or CRR, can significantly increase marketability. Given the chronic shortage of court reporters, with an estimated 5,500 positions unfilled according to NCRA, entry-level professionals have ample opportunities for salary growth, especially if they specialize in realtime or CART services. Those entering the profession can realistically expect to see considerable pay increases within their first few years as they gain experience and certifications in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Plymouth, 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 Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth 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