Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $31.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Decatur, AL runs $31.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,859 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,515 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, court reporters earn a median hourly pay of $31.66, which is approximately 12% lower than the national median of $35.96. This hourly rate indicates a reasonable income for professionals working part-time, such as those who may engage in three-day work weeks or per-diem placements in various settings like deposition conference rooms and state courtrooms. Freelancing opportunities allow court reporters to select their hours and often lead to higher earnings. The financial landscape for entry-level reporters starts at around $18.36 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $49.07 per hour, showcasing a diverse earning potential in Decatur's market for legal transcription services.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.36 | $146.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.86 | $182.91 |
| Median (P50) | $31.66 | $253.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.53 | $324.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.07 | $392.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $31.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.66/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $65,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,995. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,266.50 | $5,488 | $65,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.90 | $3,293 | $39,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.60 | $2,195 | $26,343 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Decatur) | $31.66 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Medical Transcriptionist (National Avg) | $19.96 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Interpreter / Translator (National Avg) | $28.15 |
Court Reporters in Decatur, AL earn a median of $65,859 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $65,728.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.66/hr = $39,515/year (purchasing power: $44,954).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,858/year (purchasing power: $74,924).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Decatur grew 20.4% from $25.46/hr (2019) to $30.66/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.70/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem court reporters can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Working as an Hourly Court Reporter in Decatur
For those considering a freelance or per diem court reporter role in Decatur, the compensation structure can be particularly lucrative. A part-time reporter working only 24 hours a week could see earnings contrasting sharply with full-time positions, potentially bringing home around $39,520 annually. Freelance deposition reporters commonly charge between $400 and $800 for a half-day session, adding per-page fees that further enhance their income. Specifically, realtime and CART captioning can yield rates of $150 to $300 per hour, making these specializations notably profitable. Moreover, the hourly compensation varies significantly depending on the employer—freelance income may come without built-in benefits, whereas official court reporters or those engaged with agencies may receive health insurance and regular hours in exchange for lower pay. In Decatur’s competitive market, understanding these financial dynamics becomes essential for court reporters negotiating their pay and aligning their career paths with expected earnings.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for court reporters in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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