Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Lodi, CA: $67.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Lodi, CA runs $67.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $140,892 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Lodi's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,533 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lodi, California, court reporters are earning a median hourly rate of $67.73, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $35.96. This pay scale provides substantial opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers specializing in various settings, including deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and live event CART services. Typically, entry-level court reporters can expect to earn around $40.80 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $104.99 per hour, reflecting the broad range of skill levels and niches within the industry. These hourly estimates are based on annual salary data, giving potential court reporters a clear idea of their earning potential as they plan their careers in Lodi.
About the Lodi 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) | $40.80 | $326.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.87 | $406.97 |
| Median (P50) | $67.73 | $541.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86.71 | $693.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.99 | $839.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lodi
Based on $67.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.73/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lodi, CA can expect to earn approximately $140,888 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,282. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lodi.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lodi
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,709.39 | $11,741 | $140,888 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,625.64 | $7,044 | $84,533 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,083.76 | $4,696 | $56,355 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Lodi) | $67.73 |
| 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 Lodi, CA earn a median of $140,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 88.39% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 10.70% above the California state average of $127,274.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.73/hr = $84,533/year (purchasing power: $74,742).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,888/year (purchasing power: $124,570).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$54.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$65.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lodi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $65.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Lodi grew 20.4% from $54.46/hr (2019) to $65.59/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.95/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 Lodi 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 Lodi
Earning a living as a court reporter in Lodi can vary widely based on work arrangements and the type of employer. A court reporter working three days a week can expect to take home about $52,244 annually, a viable income compared to full-time positions. Many freelancers and per-diem reporters often report fees that can range from $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, augmented by additional pay for per-page transcript requests and specialty services like realtime captions, which can command rates of $150 to $300 per hour. Independent contractors, especially those employed through firms like Veritext or US Legal Support, navigate a different pay structure than official court reporters or federal employees. While benefit packages may entice some to accept lower hourly rates, many prefer the flexibility and higher earnings potential of freelance work. Negotiating pay in Lodi should consider these dynamics, particularly if aiming for jobs that leverage skills in realtime and CART services.
More salary data for Lodi, 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 Lodi. 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 Lodi 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