Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Brighton, CO: $35.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Brighton, CO runs $35.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,852 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Brighton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,915 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Brighton, Colorado offers competitive pay for court reporters, with a median hourly rate of $35.99. This figure is just slightly above the national median hourly rate of $35.96, suggesting that court reporters in this area are well-compensated for their work. For those who choose to work part-time or on a per-diem basis, the opportunities can be lucrative. Court reporters often find themselves working in various settings, including freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even in broadcast captioning home studios. The hourly compensation spans from $22.17 for entry-level positions to $55.78 for top earners, providing a clear path for growth as professionals gain experience and credentials over time. Given that these hourly rates are derived from overall annual salary estimates, they paint a promising picture for those considering a career in court reporting within Brighton.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.17 | $177.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.28 | $218.27 |
| Median (P50) | $35.99 | $287.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.06 | $368.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.78 | $446.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brighton
Based on $35.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.99/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brighton, CO can expect to earn approximately $74,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,188. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brighton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brighton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,439.58 | $6,238 | $74,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $863.75 | $3,743 | $44,915 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $575.83 | $2,495 | $29,943 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Brighton) | $35.99 |
| 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 Brighton, CO earn a median of $74,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $78,544.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.99/hr = $44,915/year (purchasing power: $42,776).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,858/year (purchasing power: $71,294).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Brighton grew 20.4% from $28.94/hr (2019) to $34.85/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.17/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 Brighton 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 Brighton
When considering the potential income for part-time court reporters, those working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can still earn a commendable salary, although it won't match the full-time potential. Per-diem court reporters performing freelance work, frequently booked through firms like Veritext or US Legal Support, can expect earnings between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, in addition to per-page transcript fees. Rates for realtime or CART live captioning can be quite high, ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. In exploring the different types of employers in Brighton, one will find that independent court reporters typically earn more than state court employees but may lack benefits. Some court reporters choose the security of a salaried position, exchanging higher hourly earnings for health insurance and job stability. For effective negotiations, it's wise to emphasize one’s credentials, experience level, and the specialized skills that can influence hourly pay in this competitive market.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Brighton in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Brighton?
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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 Brighton. 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 Brighton 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