Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Golden, CO: $34.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Golden, CO runs $34.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,278 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Golden's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,368 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Golden, Colorado, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $34.75, slightly below the national median of $35.96. This competitive hourly wage positions the profession favorably, especially for part-time or per-diem court reporters. Working three days a week allows professionals to leverage this rate effectively, potentially earning substantial income while maintaining flexibility. Court reporters in the area range from entry-level positions at about $21.85 to top earners who can reach $53.87 per hour. Those working in various settings such as deposition conference rooms, state courts, or as CART providers can appreciate the advantages of the hourly structure, which also provides opportunities to negotiate pay based on specific job requirements and experiences.
About the Golden 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) | $21.85 | $174.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.61 | $212.90 |
| Median (P50) | $34.75 | $278.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.48 | $355.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.87 | $430.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Golden
Based on $34.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.75/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Golden, CO can expect to earn approximately $72,281 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,700. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Golden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Golden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,390.01 | $6,023 | $72,281 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $834.01 | $3,614 | $43,368 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $556.01 | $2,409 | $28,912 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Golden) | $34.75 |
| 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 Golden, CO earn a median of $72,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.36% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $78,563.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.75/hr = $43,368/year (purchasing power: $41,303).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,281/year (purchasing power: $68,839).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Golden grew 20.4% from $27.94/hr (2019) to $33.65/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.89/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 Golden 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 Golden
Examining the part-time earnings further, a court reporter working 24 hours a week can take home around $43,260 annually, providing a viable income even without a full-time schedule. For per-diem court reporters, the earning potential can increase dramatically, especially for freelance deposition work where fees can range from $400 to $800 per half-day, in addition to per-page transcript rates. Employers in Golden also influence hourly rates; freelance reporters often earn less than their official or federal counterparts but may prioritize flexibility. Many reporters weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates coupled with health insurance. Understanding local market conditions and continuously refining negotiation skills are essential for maximizing court reporter hourly pay in Golden, CO.
More salary data for Golden, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Golden in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Golden?
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How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Golden?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Golden?
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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 Golden. 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 Golden 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