Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $22.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Benton, AR runs $22.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,347 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,405 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Benton, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $22.76, which falls significantly below the national median of $35.96. This difference highlights the regional economic factors that influence pay scales. Many court reporters in the area work on a part-time basis, commonly taking up roles in a variety of environments such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART live event venues. Given this median hourly pay, a part-time court reporter working three days a week could expect to navigate a challenging financial landscape, especially when comparing the earnings potential to those of full-time reporters. Entry-level positions may start at around $13.20 per hour, while the top earners can command upwards of $35.29. Since hourly pay rates are estimated from annual salary data, these figures indicate a professional pathway with room for growth yet also reflect the economic context within Arkansas.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.20 | $105.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.63 | $133.01 |
| Median (P50) | $22.76 | $182.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.13 | $233.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.29 | $282.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $22.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.76/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $47,342 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,313. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $910.43 | $3,945 | $47,342 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.26 | $2,367 | $28,405 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.17 | $1,578 | $18,937 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Benton) | $22.76 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $47,347 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.69% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $48,313.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.76/hr = $28,405/year (purchasing power: $32,687).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,342/year (purchasing power: $54,479).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Benton grew 20.4% from $18.30/hr (2019) to $22.04/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.50/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 Benton 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 Benton
Examining the earning potential of court reporters who work part-time in Benton reveals a different financial picture shifting toward freelance opportunities. A court reporter working 24 hours a week can expect substantial annual take-home pay compared to full-time counterparts who are typically more secure in their income. In addition to standard hourly work, many freelancers can capitalize on lucrative per-diem assignments, with deposition reporters taking home between $400-$800 for a half-day's work, plus transcript fees. Capturing live events and providing CART services can elevate earnings to $150-$300 an hour. Additionally, pay often varies considerably based on employer type; independent contractors might earn less per hour but enjoy the freedom of choosing their assignments, while official court reporters in the state system may receive benefits that provide financial stability. It’s crucial for workers in Benton to consider these trade-offs when negotiating their hourly rates, understanding that while some may prefer higher independent rates, others may prioritize the benefits provided through employed positions.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Benton in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Benton?
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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 Benton. 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 Benton 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