Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $31.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Dover, DE runs $31.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,214 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,734 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $31.84, court reporters in Dover, DE, find themselves earning slightly less than the national median of $35.96 per hour. This discrepancy can impact the earning potential for part-time and per diem workers, who often operate within various settings including depositions, courtrooms, and live captioning events. Typically, part-time reporters working three days a week can expect to earn a stable income while enjoying a flexible schedule. Of course, hourly rates vary widely; entry-level reporters may see pay around $18.46, while experienced professionals can command as much as $49.34. This range reflects the ongoing demand for court reporters, especially as the NCRA estimates a shortage of about 5,500 reporters nationally, leading to competitive wages in certain specialties.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.46 | $147.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.94 | $199.52 |
| Median (P50) | $31.84 | $254.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.75 | $326.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.34 | $394.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $31.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.84/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $66,223 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,206. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,273.53 | $5,519 | $66,223 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $764.12 | $3,311 | $39,734 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $509.41 | $2,207 | $26,489 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Dover) | $31.84 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $66,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.46% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Delaware state average of $66,815.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.84/hr = $39,734/year (purchasing power: $39,070).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,223/year (purchasing power: $65,116).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Dover grew 20.4% from $25.60/hr (2019) to $30.83/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.88/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 Dover 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 Dover
Part-time court reporters in Dover, working around 24 hours a week, may take home a substantial income compared to full-time positions, although the total falls short of what full-timers might earn. Freelance deposition reporters have the potential to earn between $400-$800 for a half-day session, along with additional fees for transcript pages, resulting in significant variability in hourly earnings depending on workload. For those involved in realtime captioning or CART services, hourly rates could range from $150 to $300, reflecting the specialized skill set required. In Dover, hourly rates also differ based on the employer type—official court reporters generally earn stable wages, while freelance counterparts may engage with agencies like Veritext for varied projects. Balancing benefits with pay is crucial; workers must assess whether higher hourly rates with no benefits or lower rates with health coverage provide the best overall compensation. Successful negotiation can depend on knowing the local market and highlighting specific skills that meet varied employer needs.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Dover 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 Dover. 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 Dover 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