Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Quincy, MA: $47,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Quincy, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,122 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,430 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($80,504) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For those entering the field of court reporting in Quincy, Massachusetts, the starting court reporter salary is projected at $47,122 in 2026. This figure serves as a entry-level benchmark and reflects the initial stage of one’s career, which can be somewhat daunting when contrasted with the overall median salary of $80,504 for the city. However, new graduates can expect to see their earning potential improve significantly over the first few years. As they gain experience and skills, their pay could rise to around $59,490 at the 25th percentile, illustrating a clear growth trajectory within a potentially rewarding profession. Quincy’s current market conditions present a good opportunity for new graduates, especially given the chronic shortage of court reporters nationally, as opportunities are on the rise to fill the gaps.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
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 Quincy
Entry-level court reporters in Quincy, MA typically start between $47,122 and $59,490 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,659 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $80,504 — 7.64% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average court reporting program cost in Massachusetts of $38,000 represents just 80.64% of the starting court reporter pay ($47,122/year) in Quincy. 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 Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $47,122 to $59,490, 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 Quincy, 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 Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy'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 Quincy is $77,659 ( 164.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,122, experienced hygienists can earn up to $124,781.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,193
2025 BLS Actual
$45,630
2026 Current Est.
$47,122
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,193 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,193 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,774 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,872 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,076 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,663 | Projected |
Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, MA grew 33.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,193 in 2019 to $45,630 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $48,663. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy 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 Quincy
In Quincy, several employers actively seek new graduates for their court reporting needs. Freelance court reporting agencies such as Veritext, US Legal Support, and Esquire typically provide structured mentorship for recent RPRs. Meanwhile, state court positions may become available through civil service exams, although seasoned professionals often edge out new entrants for these roles. To enhance their starting pay in MA, it's beneficial for graduates to acquire credentials such as the NCRA Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) or opt for additional skills like realtime reporting, which generally commands higher compensation. Given the NCRA's estimated gap of 5,500 reporters, the demand for certified professionals remains robust. Realistic salary growth over the first three years may see diligent court reporters reaching their state’s median as they establish their careers, especially if they specialize in high-demand areas like CART services.
More salary data for Quincy, 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 Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy 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