Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Honolulu, HI: $38.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Honolulu, HI runs $38.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,997 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,995 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Honolulu, HI, receive a median hourly pay of $38.46, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $35.96. This elevated rate reflects the unique market dynamics in the region and offers favorable compensation for those working in various settings, including freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART services for live events. For part-time court reporters who may choose to work three days a week, this hourly rate could translate into a substantial income, particularly for those at the higher end of the scale, where hourly rates can peak at $59.62. The salary range for this occupation reflects entry-level pay starting around $22.31, providing a clear pathway for growth for dedicated professionals willing to navigate the field’s challenges, including the growing competition from digital recording technologies.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.31 | $178.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.69 | $221.49 |
| Median (P50) | $38.46 | $307.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.23 | $393.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.62 | $476.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Honolulu
Based on $38.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.46/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $79,992 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,149. With a cost-of-living index of 119.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,538.31 | $6,666 | $79,992 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $922.99 | $4,000 | $47,995 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $615.32 | $2,666 | $31,997 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Honolulu) | $38.46 |
| 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 Honolulu, HI earn a median of $79,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.97% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $75,185.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.46/hr = $47,995/year (purchasing power: $40,231).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,992/year (purchasing power: $67,051).
CoL index: 119.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Honolulu grew 20.4% from $30.92/hr (2019) to $37.24/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.72/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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu
Analyzing the earning potential reveals significant distinctions between part-time and full-time work. A court reporter working 24 hours per week may earn about $49,925 annually, in stark contrast to a full-time counterpart's potential earnings. Freelance deposition reporters often benefit from per diem arrangements that can offer $400-$800 for half-day assignments, alongside additional per-page transcript fees. Those engaged in CART services or real-time captioning can command enviable rates of $150-$300 per hour, particularly in high-demand venues like sports or media broadcasts. However, the balance between hourly rates and benefits varies greatly; some may opt for lower hourly wages that include health benefits, while others favor higher pay in independent contexts without such coverage. Court reporters in Honolulu can enhance their negotiation strategies by understanding the diverse employer landscape, which ranges from large court reporting agencies to independent work, positioning themselves effectively in a competitive market that faces a notable shortage of qualified professionals, as indicated by NCRA estimates of a 5,500-reporter deficit.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Honolulu. 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 Honolulu 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