Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bristol, CT: $35.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bristol, CT runs $35.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,785 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,876 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Court reporter hourly pay in Bristol, Connecticut, is notable for its projected median rate of $35.96 per hour, aligning with the national median of the same amount. This consistent pay scale reflects the demand for skilled court reporters in various environments, including courtrooms, deposition venues, and CART live event settings. For part-time court reporters working three days a week, the flexibility of this hourly rate can yield substantial earnings, allowing professionals to balance work with other commitments. With hourly rates ranging from $20.85 for entry-level roles to $55.72 for top earners, individuals entering the field can find lucrative opportunities depending on their experience and specialization within the profession. The estimates are derived from annual data, providing valuable insight into what aspiring court reporters might earn in the Bristol area.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.85 | $166.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.69 | $221.49 |
| Median (P50) | $35.96 | $287.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.02 | $368.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.72 | $445.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $35.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.96/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, CT can expect to earn approximately $74,794 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,150. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,438.34 | $6,233 | $74,794 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $863.01 | $3,740 | $44,876 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $575.34 | $2,493 | $29,918 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bristol) | $35.96 |
| 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 Bristol, CT earn a median of $74,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.00% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $75,388.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.96/hr = $44,876/year (purchasing power: $41,591).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,794/year (purchasing power: $69,318).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bristol grew 20.4% from $28.91/hr (2019) to $34.82/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.13/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
Considering part-time work, a court reporter in Bristol putting in 24 hours a week could take home a significantly lower annual income than their full-time counterparts, emphasizing the trade-offs of flexible scheduling. Per diem court reporter pay in Bristol can be remarkably higher, with freelance deposition reporters commonly earning between $400 to $800 for each half-day session, alongside potential additional transcript fees. Specializations such as realtime captioning or CART services can command rates between $150 to $300 per hour, demonstrating the opportunities within this segment of the industry. Rates can vary based on employer types—freelance reporters often enjoy higher pay per hour but may lack benefits like health insurance available to official or federal court reporters. When negotiating rates, especially as an independent or freelance reporter in Bristol, emphasizing these specialized skills, as recognized by certifications such as RPR and CRR, can bolster earning potential in this competitive field.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Bristol in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Bristol?
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How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Bristol?
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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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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