Court Reporter Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $64.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in San Francisco, CA runs $64.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,497 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,100 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Court reporters in San Francisco, California, enjoy a competitive hourly pay rate, with a median of $64.18 per hour according to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data. This figure significantly exceeds the national median hourly rate of $35.96, highlighting the strong demand for skilled professionals in this area. Part-time and per-diem court reporters, who typically work in various environments such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART live event venues, can find this hourly rate quite lucrative. For those just starting out, the hourly earnings can begin as low as $31.21, while experienced professionals can reach upwards of $70.48 per hour, thus reflecting a broad salary range that accommodates different experience levels and job settings.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.21 | $249.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.18 | $417.46 |
| Median (P50) | $64.18 | $513.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.48 | $547.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.48 | $563.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $64.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.18/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $133,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,019. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,567.29 | $11,125 | $133,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,540.38 | $6,675 | $80,100 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,026.92 | $4,450 | $53,400 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (San Francisco) | $64.18 |
| 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 San Francisco, CA earn a median of $133,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 78.50% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 4.90% above the California state average of $127,261.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.18/hr = $80,100/year (purchasing power: $69,282).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,499/year (purchasing power: $115,471).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $58.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in San Francisco grew 8.7% from $57.20/hr (2019) to $62.15/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.28/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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco
For a court reporter working part-time, such as three days a week at a full 24-hour schedule, the annual income can still be substantial, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle while maintaining flexibility. Freelance deposition reporters often command impressive rates ranging from $400 to $800 for just a half-day, in addition to per-page transcript fees that can further enhance their earnings. For professionals specializing in realtime captioning or CART services, hourly pay can escalate to $150-$300, reflecting the niche demand and expertise required in those roles. What's intriguing about the market dynamics in San Francisco is how hourly rates for court reporters often fluctuate depending on the employer type, such as independent firms versus official court positions. Although some court reporters may choose lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits for added financial freedom. Negotiating skills are vital in this competitive landscape; understanding industry standards and leveraging one's certification status, such as RPR or RMR, can set one apart in terms of securing the best possible pay in this thriving job market.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 San Francisco. 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