Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Vacaville, CA: $61.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Vacaville, CA runs $61.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,995 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Vacaville's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,194 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Vacaville, California, the projected court reporter hourly pay stands at $61.05, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This relatively high hourly rate opens up promising opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers engaged in various settings. For instance, those working three days a week can expect to earn a substantial income while enjoying a balanced schedule. Freelancers in deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even home studios for broadcast captioning can secure pay ranging from $36.29 at the lower end to $94.64 at the top. This range reflects the experience and specialization of the reporter, showcasing the potential for income growth in this profession.
About the Vacaville 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) | $36.29 | $290.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.53 | $364.25 |
| Median (P50) | $61.05 | $488.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78.15 | $625.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94.64 | $757.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vacaville
Based on $61.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.05/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vacaville, CA can expect to earn approximately $126,991 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,264. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Vacaville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vacaville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,442.13 | $10,583 | $126,991 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,465.28 | $6,350 | $76,194 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $976.85 | $4,233 | $50,796 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Vacaville) | $61.05 |
| 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 Vacaville, CA earn a median of $126,995 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.81% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.20% below the California state average of $127,250.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.05/hr = $76,194/year (purchasing power: $67,369).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,991/year (purchasing power: $112,282).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $50.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Vacaville grew 20.4% from $49.09/hr (2019) to $59.12/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.05/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 Vacaville 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 Vacaville
Monthly and yearly earnings can vary widely based on workload and employment type. A part-time court reporter working 24 hours a week could bring in around $68,171 annually, while a full-time professional can earn much more, depending on the nature of assignments taken. Freelance deposition reporters often receive between $400 and $800 for half-day jobs, in addition to possible per-page fees for transcripts. In Vacaville, court reporters may find that their hourly rates shift depending on whether they are employed by official court systems or work independently with agencies. Benefits play a vital role in an individual’s decision-making; some reporters might select positions with lower hourly rates that offer health insurance instead of opting for higher hourly fees from freelance work without benefits. Negotiating effectively is crucial in this market; understanding the local demand and being able to quantify skills, such as realtime and CART services, can help secure better pay in an industry currently facing a shortage of qualified reporters.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Vacaville 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 Vacaville. 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 Vacaville 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