Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Carpentersville, IL: $34.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Carpentersville, IL runs $34.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,810 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Carpentersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,492 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carpentersville, Illinois, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to be $34.05 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $35.96. This hourly rate provides opportunities for part-time workers, as those who schedule themselves for three days a week can find themselves earning a substantial income while maintaining a flexible work-life balance. The hourly wage can vary considerably, with entry-level reporters earning around $21.22 and more experienced professionals exceeding $52.77 per hour. Such rates stem from estimates derived from annual salary data, reflecting the various working environments court reporters engage in, including freelance assignments in deposition conference rooms, roles within state and federal courtrooms, and positions offering CART services for live events or classroom settings.
About the Carpentersville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.22 | $169.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.99 | $207.94 |
| Median (P50) | $34.05 | $272.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.58 | $348.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.77 | $422.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carpentersville
Based on $34.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.05/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carpentersville, IL can expect to earn approximately $70,820 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,858. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carpentersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carpentersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,361.92 | $5,902 | $70,820 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $817.15 | $3,541 | $42,492 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $544.77 | $2,361 | $28,328 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Carpentersville) | $34.05 |
| 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 Carpentersville, IL earn a median of $70,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.50% below the Illinois state average of $72,626.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.05/hr = $42,492/year (purchasing power: $43,761).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,820/year (purchasing power: $72,935).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Carpentersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Carpentersville grew 20.4% from $27.37/hr (2019) to $32.97/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.16/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 Carpentersville 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 Carpentersville
For part-time court reporters working approximately 24 hours each week, the annual take-home can differ significantly compared to full-time colleagues. Part-time workers may see a salary that allows them to supplement their income without committing to a full 40-hour workweek. Freelance court reporters in Carpentersville typically command $400 to $800 per half-day deposition, in addition to per-page fees for transcripts, while CART services can offer $150 to $300 an hour. This variability in hourly earnings is influenced by the employment type—whether through independent reporting agencies, official court positions, or broadcast captioning roles. While accepting a lower hourly rate might provide benefits like health insurance as an employee, many court reporters prefer to negotiate higher hourly wages with agencies, understanding the trade-offs involved. Those freelance or working per diem must be savvy negotiators to maximize their earnings while considering the competitive nature of the market and the chronic shortage of court reporters highlighted by the NCRA in Illinois.
More salary data for Carpentersville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Carpentersville in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Carpentersville?
Are court reporters in Carpentersville paid hourly or salary?
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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 Carpentersville. 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 Carpentersville 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