Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Davis, CA: $59.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Davis, CA runs $59.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $123,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Davis's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,900 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Court reporters in Davis, California, earn a median hourly pay of $59.22, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $35.96. This competitive rate reflects the high demand for skilled court reporters in various environments, including state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART live event venues. For those working part-time—such as on a three-day-a-week schedule—this rate can translate into a substantial income, enabling flexibility while still maintaining financial stability. Entry-level reporters might start around $34.84 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $91.78 per hour, showcasing a robust range of pay based on expertise and specialized skills. As the workforce continues to face shortages, especially in realtime and CART services, the earning potential for court reporters in Davis remains promising.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.84 | $278.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.86 | $350.87 |
| Median (P50) | $59.22 | $473.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.79 | $606.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.78 | $734.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Davis
Based on $59.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.22/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Davis, CA can expect to earn approximately $123,167 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,058. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Davis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Davis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,368.60 | $10,264 | $123,167 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,421.16 | $6,158 | $73,900 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $947.44 | $4,106 | $49,267 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Davis) | $59.22 |
| 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 Davis, CA earn a median of $123,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 64.68% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% below the California state average of $127,231.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.22/hr = $73,900/year (purchasing power: $65,341).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $123,167/year (purchasing power: $108,901).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$47.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $50.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Davis grew 20.4% from $47.61/hr (2019) to $57.34/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.15/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 Davis 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 Davis
Part-time court reporters operating three days a week can expect an annual income that reflects their hourly earnings, potentially amounting to over $73,000 if they work approximately 24 hours a week. This is in stark contrast to full-time positions, which may standardize earnings but also demand a higher commitment. Many freelance deposition court reporters in the area enjoy greater financial rewards, earning between $400 and $800 for half-day sessions, in addition to per-page fees for transcripts. Similarly, realtime captioning services typically yield hourly rates between $150 and $300, underscoring the lucrative opportunities within this specialization. Rates can vary widely depending on the employer type, with independent firm work and official court roles offering different benefits. Given the choice between lower hourly wages with health benefits versus higher pay without, reporters must weigh their options carefully. For those in Davis, practical negotiation skills remain vital, especially in a city with a vibrant court reporting sector that values both experience and versatility.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
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 Davis. 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 Davis 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