Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Cicero, IL: $33.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Cicero, IL runs $33.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,292 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Cicero's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,170 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cicero, the projected court reporter hourly pay for 2026 stands at $33.79, falling slightly below the national hourly median of $35.96. This rate is significant for both part-time and per-diem workers, as it provides a reasonable income for those operating within various environments, such as state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART services. For someone working part-time, say three days a week, this median pay could facilitate a flexible work-life balance while still providing enough income to support their career progression. In terms of earning potential, hourly wages in the area range from $19.93 for entry-level positions to $52.38 for highly experienced professionals, illustrating the varied compensation landscape for court reporters in Cicero.
About the Cicero 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) | $19.93 | $159.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.03 | $200.26 |
| Median (P50) | $33.79 | $270.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.26 | $346.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.38 | $419.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cicero
Based on $33.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.79/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cicero, IL can expect to earn approximately $70,283 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,548. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cicero.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cicero
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,351.60 | $5,857 | $70,283 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $810.96 | $3,514 | $42,170 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $540.64 | $2,343 | $28,113 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Cicero) | $33.79 |
| 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 Cicero, IL earn a median of $70,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.01% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% below the Illinois state average of $72,615.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.79/hr = $42,170/year (purchasing power: $43,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,283/year (purchasing power: $72,382).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Cicero (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Cicero grew 20.4% from $27.17/hr (2019) to $32.72/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.89/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 Cicero 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 Cicero
For those considering part-time work, a court reporter typically earning the median rate of $33.79 per hour working 24 hours each week will take home around $42,493 annually, which is a significant amount but still less than full-time counterparts. In contrast, per-diem work can yield higher pay rates; freelance deposition reporters in Cicero might earn between $400 and $800 for a half-day deposition, plus additional fees for each page transcribed. Various employer types contribute to these disparities in hourly pay. Freelance reporters often receive less hourly compensation than official court reporters employed by the state or federal courts yet may enjoy greater flexibility. Court reporters specializing in CART and realtime work tend to command higher rates due to the skills involved, making them competitive in the marketplace. Negotiating hourly rates can be beneficial; consider factors like healthcare benefits or job security against potentially higher pay without benefits. Understanding the nuances of court reporter hourly pay in Cicero is key for practitioners navigating their career paths.
More salary data for Cicero, 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 Cicero. 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 Cicero 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