Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Madison, AL: $30.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Madison, AL runs $30.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,095 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,458 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Madison, AL, the court reporter hourly rate stands at $30.82, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $35.96. This median rate can impact part-time workers, typically those working three days a week, as well as per-diem professionals engaged in various settings such as freelance deposition conferences, state and federal courtrooms, or CART services in educational institutions. For entry-level court reporters, pay begins at approximately $18.53 per hour, while top earners may achieve rates up to $47.76 per hour, positioning Madison’s pay structure on the lower end of the national spectrum. These projected hourly figures are essential for individuals exploring opportunities in this field since they highlight the potential earnings based on varied experience levels and job settings.
About the Madison 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) | $18.53 | $148.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.09 | $184.73 |
| Median (P50) | $30.82 | $246.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.44 | $315.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.76 | $382.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $30.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.82/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, AL can expect to earn approximately $64,097 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,979. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,232.63 | $5,341 | $64,097 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $739.58 | $3,205 | $38,458 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.05 | $2,137 | $25,639 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Madison) | $30.82 |
| 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 Madison, AL earn a median of $64,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $65,738.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.82/hr = $38,458/year (purchasing power: $43,752).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,097/year (purchasing power: $72,920).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Madison grew 20.4% from $24.78/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.82/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 Madison 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 Madison
For a court reporter working part-time, committing to three days a week at 24 hours per week translates to approximately $38,404 annually, a substantial difference from what a full-time reporter might earn. Freelance opportunities in Madison often provide varying pay scales; deposition reporters typically earn between $400 and $800 for half-day assignments, alongside transcript fees that may add to their income. The reported hourly rates can also depend on their work environment; official court reporters may have stability in pay but trade off higher earnings often available in freelance positions, where they might earn upwards of $150 to $300 per hour for CART services. Adjusting to the needs of specific employers can influence earnings, as freelance reporters can negotiate rates based on demand, but they may sacrifice benefits found in full-time work. For those seeking per diem court reporter pay in Madison, establishing strong connections with reporting firms can prove beneficial, ensuring competitive hourly rates while maintaining a flexible work schedule.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Madison in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Madison?
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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 Madison. 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 Madison 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