Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Williston, ND: $40,567 (2026)
Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Williston, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $40,567 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williston's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,095 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,654) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the court reporting field in Williston, North Dakota, the starting court reporter salary is projected to be around $40,567 in 2026. This figure reflects the lower end of the salary range and is notably below the city median of $65,654. As entry-level professionals gain experience and build their skills, they can realistically expect their salaries to rise, potentially reaching $49,866 in just a few years. The overall growth trajectory shows promising advances, with significant demand for court reporters in the area, making Williston a solid market for those just starting their careers in this field. Given the national context, where the median salary is $74,788, newcomers should be prepared for an initial pay gap but can view it as a stepping stone toward higher earnings as they progress.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williston
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 Williston
Entry-level court reporters in Williston, ND typically start between $40,567 and $49,866 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,196 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,654 — 12.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average court reporting program cost in North Dakota of $18,000 represents just 44.37% of the starting court reporter pay ($40,567/year) in Williston. 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 Williston
- 1Research the Williston market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $40,567 to $49,866, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williston, 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 Williston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williston's below-average 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 Williston is $61,196 ( 150.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $40,567, experienced hygienists can earn up to $101,763.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,436
2025 BLS Actual
$39,282
2026 Current Est.
$40,567
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,436 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,797 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,464 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,249 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,567 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,893 | Projected |
Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Williston, ND grew 33.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,436 in 2019 to $39,282 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,893. New graduates entering the Williston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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 Williston
Freelance reporting agencies such as Veritext and Esquire, alongside official state court positions, are primary employers of new grads in Williston. To increase their marketability, aspiring court reporters may invest in additional credentials, such as earning an NCRA RPR or pursuing specialty certifications like the CRR for realtime reporting. These credentials can effectively boost their starting pay in the competitive North Dakota market, where a well-rounded skill set is advantageous. In the first few years of employment, realistic salary growth can be achieved, especially in sectors where there is a chronic shortage of court reporters. The National Court Reporters Association emphasizes the demand for stenographic reporters as competition with digital recording technology continues to reshape traditional reporting salaries. For those entering the profession, focusing on realtime and CART services can yield the highest pay and the most job security, given the ongoing need for skilled reporters in various legal and broadcast settings.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 Williston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williston 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