Court Reporter Salary

Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Clearfield, UT: $35,083 (2026)

Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Clearfield, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,083 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Clearfield's local price level (BEA RPP 98.12% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,762 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($56,622) within a few years of clinical practice.

$35,083
Starting Salary
$16.86/hr
Starting Hourly
$35,083
Entry Level
$56,622
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Court Reporter Entry Level Salary in Clearfield, UT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Clearfield, UT court reporter entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

When considering entry-level court reporter salaries in Clearfield, Utah, new graduates should anticipate a starting pay of approximately $35,083 in 2026. This figure is notably below the overall city median salary, which stands at $56,622, reflecting the initial challenges many face when entering the profession. However, prospects for growth in the field are encouraging, as individuals can realistically move from their starting salary to the 25th percentile at $43,078 within the first few years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.27% in this industry, Clearfield presents a relatively stable market for newcomers. Given the national median for court reporters is significantly higher at $74,788, professionals in Clearfield should also explore opportunities for advancement to enhance their earnings potential.

About the Clearfield Market

Salary estimated from Utah average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Clearfield

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$35,083/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$43,078/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$56,622/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$72,476/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clearfield

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for court reporters in Clearfield. The median salary is $56,622, compared to the national median of $74,788.$31.6K$46.7K$61.9K$77.0K$92.2K$35.1K10th Pctl$43.1K25th Pctl$56.6KMedian$72.5K75th Pctl$87.8K90th PctlUS Median$74.8K

Entry-level court reporters in Clearfield, UT typically start between $35,083 and $43,078 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,681 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $56,62224.29% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of court reporter pay in the Clearfield metro area.

Return on Investment

$20,000
Avg UT Program Cost
$35,083
Starting Salary
57.01%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average court reporting program cost in Utah of $20,000 represents just 57.01% of the starting court reporter pay ($35,083/year) in Clearfield. 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 Clearfield

  • 1Research the Clearfield market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $35,083 to $43,078, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Clearfield, 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 Clearfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Clearfield'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 Clearfield is $52,681 ( 150.16%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,083, experienced hygienists can earn up to $87,764.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$25,457

2025 BLS Actual

$33,972

2026 Current Est.

$35,083

2019–2027 Growth

+42.3%

Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Clearfield (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for court reporters in Clearfield. Baseline $25,457 in 2025, projected to $36,230 by 2027.$23.3K$27.1K$30.8K$34.6K$38.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$25.5K$25.5K$27.7K$26.6K$28.9K$32.5K$34.0K$35.1K$36.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$25,457Actual
2020$25,481Actual
2021$27,690Actual
2022$26,634Actual
2023$28,940Actual
2024$32,468Actual
2025$33,972Actual
2026(current)$35,083Estimated
2027$36,230Projected

Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Clearfield, UT grew 33.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,457 in 2019 to $33,972 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,230. New graduates entering the Clearfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clearfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Clearfield

Employers in Clearfield that actively recruit new graduates include several freelance reporting agencies like Veritext and US Legal Support, which often provide structured mentorship programs for those just starting out. Furthermore, aspiring court reporters may consider applying for state court positions through civil service exams, which can offer secure employment options. To enhance starting pay, obtaining certifications like the NCRA RPR or pursuing advanced qualifications like the RMR or CRR can be beneficial. Within the first three years, a court reporter focused on real-time and CART reporting specialties may find themselves with increased earning potential, driven by a consistent shortage of qualified professionals—NCRA estimates a gap of roughly 5,500 reporters nationwide. Early-career court reporters should be strategic about their skill development and remain adaptable to navigate both stenographic demands and the competitive landscape shaped by digital recording technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for court reporters in Clearfield in 2026?

Entry-level court reporters in Clearfield start at approximately $35,083/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.27% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $16.87/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do court reporter salaries grow in Clearfield?

Most court reporters in Clearfield progress from the entry-level salary of $35,083 to the area median of $56,622 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $87,764 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is court reporting school worth it in Clearfield?

With a starting salary of $35,083/year in Clearfield and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new court reporters recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new court reporters make right out of school in Clearfield?

New court reporting graduates in Clearfield typically start near the 10th percentile at $35,083/year, or approximately $16.87/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a court reporter in Utah?

To become a licensed court reporter in Utah, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in court reporting from an ncra-approved program plus state certification or licensure, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Utah, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some court reporters pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Utah

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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.

Clinically reviewed by John Patel, CCRData verified by Aisha Ali, RMR

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 Clearfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Clearfield is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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