Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $68.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Stockton, CA runs $68.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $142,864 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $65.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,719 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Court reporters in Stockton, California, can expect an impressive median hourly pay of $68.68, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $35.96. This robust wage presents a compelling opportunity for both full-time and part-time court reporters, particularly those working in various environments like state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and live event settings for CART services. For part-time professionals working just three days a week, this hourly pay translates effectively, making the field attractive for those seeking flexible schedules while still earning a competitive economy wage. The hourly range varies from $48.38 for entry-level positions up to $68.68 for the most experienced reporters, reflecting the local demand and the skills required.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.38 | $387.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.18 | $417.46 |
| Median (P50) | $68.68 | $549.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.68 | $549.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.68 | $549.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $68.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.68/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $142,865 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $82,422. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,747.40 | $11,905 | $142,865 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,648.44 | $7,143 | $85,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,098.96 | $4,762 | $57,146 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Stockton) | $68.68 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $142,864 per year (2026 est.), which is 91.03% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 12.30% above the California state average of $127,216.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.68/hr = $85,719/year (purchasing power: $81,568).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $142,865/year (purchasing power: $135,946).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$46.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $56.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Stockton grew 42.1% from $46.79/hr (2019) to $66.51/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.93/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
For professionals navigating the court reporting field, the financial landscape shows strong potential, especially for those in per diem or freelance roles. A court reporter working part-time at 24 hours a week could realistically earn over $106,000 annually, highlighting a lucrative option compared to standard full-time employment. Freelance deposition reporters can often command between $400 and $800 for a half-day work session, with additional earnings from page fees. Real-time and CART captioning holds premium rates of $150 to $300 per hour, making them some of the highest-paid specialties within the industry. The hourly rates differ based on the employer type, with freelance agents often booking reporters through firms, while official court reporters are state employees. Those who prioritize benefits may choose lower hourly rates, understanding the trade-off between pay and security. Negotiation skills play a vital role in this field; knowing the market rates and emphasizing specialized skills can greatly benefit those seeking to enhance their court reporter hourly pay in Stockton, CA.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. 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, 4-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