Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Pelham, AL: $29.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Pelham, AL runs $29.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,793 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Pelham's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,473 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Pelham, AL, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $29.23 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.96 per hour. This discrepancy impacts part-time and per-diem workers who often take assignments across various settings like deposition conference rooms, federal and state courtrooms, and even remote CART services. The hourly earnings range starts from $18.64 for entry-level positions and goes up to $45.30 for more experienced or specialized reporters. Many court reporters may find additional value in per diem work, given that it allows for flexible scheduling while still offering competitive earnings aligned with the demands of the profession.
About the Pelham 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) | $18.64 | $149.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.55 | $180.43 |
| Median (P50) | $29.23 | $233.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.41 | $299.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.30 | $362.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pelham
Based on $29.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.23/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pelham, AL can expect to earn approximately $60,789 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,070. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pelham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pelham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,169.02 | $5,066 | $60,789 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.41 | $3,039 | $36,473 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.61 | $2,026 | $24,316 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Pelham) | $29.23 |
| 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 Pelham, AL earn a median of $60,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.71% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $65,722.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.23/hr = $36,473/year (purchasing power: $41,494).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,789/year (purchasing power: $69,157).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Pelham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Pelham grew 20.4% from $23.50/hr (2019) to $28.30/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.18/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 Pelham 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 Pelham
For those considering part-time work, a typical three-day workweek could yield earnings that diverge from full-time counterparts significantly. A reporter working 24 hours a week might take home under $40,000 annually if factoring in existing hourly rates without full-time benefits. Freelance deposition reporters in Pelham can command fees ranging from $400 to $800 for half-day assignments, with per-page transcript charges adding to their income. The variance in pay scales among employer types—independent court reporting firms, public court systems, and agency work—affects overall compensation and benefits packages. Some may opt for a lower hourly wage at official court positions for the security of health benefits, while others prefer the flexibility of freelance roles that often do not include benefits. Negotiating hourly rates is essential, especially in a market noted for a continuous shortage of court reporters, creating opportunities for those with specialized skills such as realtime or CART services to demand higher compensation.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 Pelham. 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 Pelham 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