Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Lombard, IL: $33.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Lombard, IL runs $33.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,365 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Lombard's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,221 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Lombard, Illinois, earn a median hourly pay of $33.83, which falls slightly below the national median of $35.96. This hourly rate provides a solid income for various professional arrangements, including part-time work and per-diem assignments. For a court reporter working three days a week, this can mean a stable income while maintaining flexibility. The pay range varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $19.62 and seasoned professionals earning up to $52.44 per hour. These figures illustrate the potential earning opportunities in diverse settings such as deposition conferences, state and federal courtrooms, LIVE CART events, and university classroom services, allowing for a flexible work-life balance while still providing robust financial prospects.
About the Lombard 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) | $19.62 | $156.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.32 | $210.59 |
| Median (P50) | $33.83 | $270.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.30 | $346.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.44 | $419.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lombard
Based on $33.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.83/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lombard, IL can expect to earn approximately $70,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,598. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lombard.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lombard
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,353.25 | $5,864 | $70,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $811.95 | $3,518 | $42,221 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $541.30 | $2,346 | $28,148 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Lombard) | $33.83 |
| 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 Lombard, IL earn a median of $70,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $72,616.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.83/hr = $42,221/year (purchasing power: $43,482).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,369/year (purchasing power: $72,471).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Lombard grew 20.4% from $27.20/hr (2019) to $32.76/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.94/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 Lombard 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 Lombard
When considering the part-time income for a court reporter in Lombard, working approximately 24 hours a week results in an annual take-home that reflects only a fraction of what full-time reporters can achieve. Many independent court reporters opt for per-diem work, with compensation rates reaching $400-$800 for half-day depositions, supplemented by per-page fees for transcripts. Realtime and CART services command impressive rates, ranging from $150 to $300 per hour, particularly for urgent transcript requests. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on employment type. For instance, freelancers typically earn more than official court reporters employed by state or federal courts. While the allure of higher pay is enticing, some professionals may accept lower rates for the benefits and job security offered by full-time positions. To maximize earnings, court reporters in Lombard should be prepared to negotiate based on their unique skill sets, especially if they hold NCRA credentials, to stand out in a competitive market that is increasingly shifting towards digital recording solutions.
More salary data for Lombard, 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 Lombard. 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 Lombard 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