Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $23.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Fayetteville, AR runs $23.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,668 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,204 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $23.40. This figure is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $35.96, indicating the unique economic factors at play in the region. For those who work part-time, such as three days a week, the pay translates to an annual earning significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Providing services in various settings—from deposition conference rooms to state and federal courtrooms—court reporters can also engage in per-diem work, where they are compensated based on the hours worked rather than a set salary. Entry-level court reporters might earn as low as $13.57 per hour, while top earners can achieve rates of up to $36.27, showcasing the variability within the Fayetteville market.
About the Fayetteville 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) | $13.57 | $108.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.93 | $143.42 |
| Median (P50) | $23.40 | $187.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.95 | $239.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.27 | $290.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $23.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.40/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $48,674 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,081. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.04 | $4,056 | $48,674 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.62 | $2,434 | $29,204 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.42 | $1,622 | $19,470 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Fayetteville) | $23.40 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $48,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.93% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.70% above the Arkansas state average of $48,330.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.40/hr = $29,204/year (purchasing power: $33,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,674/year (purchasing power: $56,012).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Fayetteville grew 20.4% from $18.81/hr (2019) to $22.66/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.17/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
When evaluating part-time potential earnings, a court reporter working three days a week might take home around $28,000 annually, as opposed to a full-time estimate of nearly $48,000. Freelance deposition reporters have lucrative opportunities, often charging between $400 and $800 for a half-day deposition, along with per-page transcript fees. In specialized roles like CART and realtime captioning, earnings can rise to $150-$300 per hour. Compensation varies widely between settings—independent court reporters generally book through firms like Veritext, while official court reporters may be part of a state system. Some reporters opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, balancing job security against the freedom freelance work provides. Understanding the local job market dynamics is crucial for negotiating pay; court reporters in AR should highlight their experience and specialized skills to command better hourly pay in Fayetteville's evolving landscape.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Fayetteville in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Fayetteville?
Are court reporters in Fayetteville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Fayetteville?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Fayetteville?
Related Pages
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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 Fayetteville. 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 Fayetteville 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