Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $42.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Los Angeles, CA runs $42.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,339 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,602 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Los Angeles, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $42.95, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This advantageous pay scale makes the profession particularly appealing, as it allows for flexible work arrangements. Many court reporters opt for part-time positions, such as working three days a week, which translates to substantial earnings even within a reduced timetable. Additionally, per-diem opportunities in settings like deposition conference rooms, federal courtrooms, and CART live event venues provide competitive wages that can rise even higher based on skills and specialization. The pay range in Los Angeles varies, with entry-level positions starting around $20.57 and experienced professionals earning up to $61.15 per hour, reflecting the wide span of expertise within this field. All figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.57 | $164.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.45 | $219.59 |
| Median (P50) | $42.95 | $343.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.68 | $429.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.15 | $489.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $42.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.95/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $89,336 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,540. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,718.00 | $7,445 | $89,336 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,030.80 | $4,467 | $53,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $687.20 | $2,978 | $35,734 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Los Angeles) | $42.95 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $89,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.46% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 29.80% below the California state average of $127,263.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.95/hr = $53,602/year (purchasing power: $47,199).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,336/year (purchasing power: $78,664).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Los Angeles grew -1.8% from $42.35/hr (2019) to $41.59/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.35/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Considering the earning potential for part-time court reporters in Los Angeles, a freelancer working three days a week for an average of 24 hours could earn around $61,000 annually, greatly benefiting from the city’s strong hourly pay. Per-diem work, often available through agencies, typically allows reporters to command impressive rates, with half-day depositions fetching between $400 and $800, alongside potential per-page transcript fees. The demand for services, especially in realtime captioning and CART applications, can lead to rates between $150 and $300 per hour, particularly appealing for those with specialization credentials such as RPR or CRR. However, compensation does vary significantly with employer type; freelance reporters often earn the highest hourly wages, while official court reporters for state and federal systems might accept slightly lower pay in exchange for job stability and benefits. For professionals considering their options, negotiating can be highly advantageous, especially in LA’s competitive market, where skills and experience can command better rates.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Los Angeles in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Los Angeles?
Are court reporters in Los Angeles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Los Angeles?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Los Angeles?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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