Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Elk Grove, CA: $62.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Elk Grove, CA runs $62.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,196 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Elk Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $54.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,522 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Elk Grove, California, court reporters can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $62.12, significantly higher than the national average of $35.96. This elevated rate reflects the competitiveness of the profession within the area, especially given the various venues where court reporters operate, including depositions, court settings, and CART services. For those considering part-time employment—such as working three days a week—this hourly pay translates into a substantial income, allowing for flexibility while still earning a competitive wage. With a range from $36.03 per hour for entry-level positions to $96.28 for the most experienced professionals, Elk Grove presents a lucrative environment for both full-time and freelance court reporters seeking to maximize their hourly earnings.
About the Elk Grove 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) | $36.03 | $288.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.73 | $357.81 |
| Median (P50) | $62.12 | $496.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.51 | $636.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.28 | $770.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elk Grove
Based on $62.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.12/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elk Grove, CA can expect to earn approximately $129,203 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,540. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Elk Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elk Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,484.68 | $10,767 | $129,203 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,490.81 | $6,460 | $77,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $993.87 | $4,307 | $51,681 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Elk Grove) | $62.12 |
| 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 Elk Grove, CA earn a median of $129,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 72.75% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.50% above the California state average of $127,287.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.12/hr = $77,522/year (purchasing power: $68,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,203/year (purchasing power: $114,238).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Elk Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Elk Grove grew 20.4% from $49.94/hr (2019) to $60.15/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.15/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 Elk Grove 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 Elk Grove
Examining the earning potential in more detail, a court reporter working 24 hours a week at the median pay would earn around $77,783 annually, a strong income that highlights the profession's appeal in part-time capacities. Freelancers working per diem often command premium pay, ranging from $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, alongside potential per-page fees that further inflate their earnings. In Elk Grove, types of employment—such as freelance reporting, federal positions, and broadcast captioning—can lead to notable differences in compensation. Fluent in realtime reporting, for instance, often brings an hourly pay structure that significantly exceeds the local median. Furthermore, the trade-offs between accepting lower hourly rates with benefits versus striving for higher pay without such advantages can influence career decisions. Those negotiating their court reporter hourly pay in Elk Grove should focus on the specific context of each employer type, understanding their worth in a competitive market and preparing to advocate effectively for their skills and experience.
More salary data for Elk Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Elk Grove in 2026?
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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 Elk Grove. 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 Elk Grove 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