Entry-Level Court Reporter Salary in Camas, WA: $46,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:New court reporters entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,089 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 27-3092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,913 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,220) 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 Camas, Washington, can expect a starting court reporter salary around $46,089. While this figure reflects the lower end of the pay scale, it highlights a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $76,220. For recent graduates, this means there is ample opportunity for growth, especially within the first few years of their careers. With time and experience, salaries can increase as they move toward the 25th percentile salary of $57,386. Given the current demand for court reporters in the region, Camas presents a favorable market for newcomers, offering both entry-level positions and potential for advancement in this essential profession.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
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 Camas
Entry-level court reporters in Camas, WA typically start between $46,089 and $57,386 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $72,053 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,220 — 1.91% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average court reporting program cost in Washington of $30,000 represents just 65.09% of the starting court reporter pay ($46,089/year) in Camas. 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 Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level court reporter pay ranges from $46,089 to $57,386, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, 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 Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas'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 Camas is $72,053 ( 156.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,089, experienced hygienists can earn up to $118,142.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,443
2025 BLS Actual
$44,630
2026 Current Est.
$46,089
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Camas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,475 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,597 | Projected |
Entry-level court reporter compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 33.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,443 in 2019 to $44,630 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,597. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas 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 Camas
Opportunities for entry-level court reporters in Camas are primarily found with freelance court reporting agencies like Veritext, US Legal Support, and Esquire, which frequently offer structured mentorship programs to help new hires develop their skills. State official court reporting positions also open up through civil service exams, providing avenues for those who seek job security in public service. To enhance starting pay in Washington, graduates should aim to achieve credentials such as the NCRA's Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), which can increase their value in the job market. As a chronic shortage of court reporters persists—estimated by the NCRA to be around 5,500—new professionals specializing in realtime or CART will find themselves well-positioned to command higher wages. Within the first three years, individuals can realistically expect to see their salaries rise significantly as they gain experience, navigate industry demands, and leverage credentials that set them apart in this competitive field.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
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 Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas 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