Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $38.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Chicago, IL runs $38.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,301 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,583 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the projected court reporter hourly pay for 2026 is $38.13, which marks an increase compared to the national hourly median of $35.96. This rate has significant implications for both part-time and per-diem court reporters working in various environments, such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and real-time CART services in educational settings. The overall hourly pay range extends from $15.49 for entry-level positions to $64.20 at the top end, reflecting the diverse skill levels and specializations in the field. Freelance reporters, who often have more flexible schedules, can particularly benefit from this competitive range, making it an attractive option for those looking to enter the profession or transition into new areas of work.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.49 | $123.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.19 | $169.53 |
| Median (P50) | $38.13 | $305.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.04 | $400.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.20 | $513.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $38.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.13/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $79,305 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,753. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,525.09 | $6,609 | $79,305 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $915.05 | $3,965 | $47,583 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $610.04 | $2,643 | $31,722 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Chicago) | $38.13 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $79,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 9.20% above the Illinois state average of $72,620.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.13/hr = $47,583/year (purchasing power: $45,932).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,305/year (purchasing power: $76,553).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Chicago grew 25.5% from $29.43/hr (2019) to $36.92/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.37/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Exploring the earning potential for part-time positions reveals considerable differences compared to full-time employment. A court reporter working three days a week can take home a substantial income while enjoying more leisure time. Freelance and agency reporters often earn between $400 to $800 per half-day deposition, along with additional per-page fees for transcript requests. Real-time and CART captioners enjoy even higher rates, ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. However, hourly rates can vary significantly based on the employer type; independent court reporting firms and official court reporters within the state and federal systems differ in pay structures, typically influenced by the nature of work and benefits provided. Many reporters weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates in freelance roles devoid of benefits against more stable employment options that offer health insurance and retirement plans. Knowing how to negotiate effectively for the best hourly rate in Chicago can significantly impact one’s earnings, especially in a market facing a chronic shortage of qualified reporters, with the NCRA estimating a gap of about 5,500 reporters nationwide.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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