Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $33.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Elmhurst, IL runs $33.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,697 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,216 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Elmhurst, Illinois, earn a median hourly rate of $33.03, which is slightly below the national median of $35.96. This position offers flexibility particularly suited for part-time and per-diem opportunities, appealing to those who work in settings such as deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and educational institutions. A part-time court reporter working three days a week can potentially find a balance between work-life commitments and their professional responsibilities. Entry-level positions might see hourly pay around $19.94, while seasoned court reporters can command up to $51.19 per hour, reflecting the wide range of experience and specialization within the field. Continued demand for court reporters, particularly in realtime and CART services, highlights the expected growth in this profession as the legal and educational sectors evolve.
About the Elmhurst 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) | $19.94 | $159.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.74 | $197.95 |
| Median (P50) | $33.03 | $264.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.28 | $338.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.19 | $409.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $33.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.03/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $68,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,631. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,321.03 | $5,724 | $68,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $792.62 | $3,435 | $41,216 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $528.41 | $2,290 | $27,477 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Elmhurst) | $33.03 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $68,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.14% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $72,619.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.03/hr = $41,216/year (purchasing power: $42,447).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,694/year (purchasing power: $70,745).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Elmhurst grew 20.4% from $26.55/hr (2019) to $31.98/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.11/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
Examining the financial potential for part-time court reporters reveals interesting disparities. A professional working 24 hours weekly will generate a considerably different income than a full-time equivalent, focusing on a sustainable lifestyle rather than maximizing hours. Freelance court reporters, engaged in per-diem work, can earn impressive rates; deposition reporters often receive between $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, and realtime captioning specialists can see pay ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. In Elmhurst, hourly rates can vary widely depending on the employer. Official court reporters, employed by the state or federal system, may receive additional benefits, but independent court reporters often earn more per hour yet forego these perks. For those navigating this career path, it's wise to consider the negotiation for both hourly rates and the value of benefits. Seeking ways to enhance negotiation strategies can help bridge the gap in pay versus benefits, ensuring that every court reporter in Elmhurst is compensated fairly for their expertise and service.
More salary data for Elmhurst, 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 Elmhurst. 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 Elmhurst 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