Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Great Falls, MT: $32,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Great Falls, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $32,019 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Great Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 96.2 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $33,284 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($55,205) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of court reporting in Great Falls, Montana, understanding the entry-level pay landscape is crucial. In 2026, those starting as court reporters can expect a salary around $32,019, which creates a significant gap when compared to the city's median annual salary of $55,205. Over the first few years, a gradual progression is likely, moving from entry-level pay to approximately $39,748 within a few years, while aiming for the median salary through experience and skill enhancement. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.27%, Great Falls offers a positive starting environment for those newly certified, especially with the ongoing demand for court reporters amid a national shortage that highlights the profession's resilience.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Great Falls
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 Great Falls
Entry-level court reporters in Great Falls, MT typically start between $32,019 and $39,748 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,548 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $55,205 — 26.18% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average court reporting program cost in Montana of $20,000 represents just 62.46% of the starting court reporter pay ($32,019/year) in Great Falls. 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 Great Falls
- 1Research the Great Falls market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $32,019 to $39,748, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Great Falls'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 Great Falls is $53,548 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $32,019, experienced hygienists can earn up to $85,567.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$23,234
2025 BLS Actual
$31,005
2026 Current Est.
$32,019
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23,234 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,256 | Actual |
| 2021 | $25,272 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,308 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,413 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,936 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,005 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,066 | Projected |
Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Great Falls, MT grew 33.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,234 in 2019 to $31,005 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $33,066. New graduates entering the Great Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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 Great Falls
In Great Falls, new graduates can find opportunities with various employers that are actively hiring in this profession. Freelance court reporting agencies like Veritext, US Legal Support, and Esquire often bring in recent RPRs, providing structured mentorship during depositions. Additionally, state court reporter positions may be available through civil service exams. It’s wise to pursue credentials such as the NCRA RPR certification, which can enhance earning potential, or specialized credentials like the CRR for those interested in realtime reporting. The court reporting field is not only experiencing a shortage, with the NCRA estimating a gap of approximately 5,500 reporters, but competition from digital recording technology is reshaping the market. As a new reporter beginning their career, those with realtime skills or CART specialization can expect to command higher salaries, targeting realistic growth as they accumulate experience in their first few years.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for court reporters in Great Falls in 2026?
How fast do court reporter salaries grow in Great Falls?
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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 Great Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Great Falls 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