Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Normal, IL: $33.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Normal, IL runs $33.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Normal's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,247 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Normal, Illinois, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $33.85, which is slightly below the national median of $35.96. This rate reflects the diverse freelance opportunities available for court reporters, especially in settings like deposition conference rooms and CART live event venues. Those working part-time, such as three days a week, can expect hourly earnings to translate into a competitive yearly income, while per-diem workers can capitalize on sporadic opportunities in both official and private environments. The hourly range for court reporters in Normal extends from $19.63 at the lower end to $52.46 for those at the top of the pay scale, illustrating the significant earning potential tied to experience and specialization.
About the Normal 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) | $19.63 | $157.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.40 | $195.22 |
| Median (P50) | $33.85 | $270.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.33 | $346.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.46 | $419.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Normal
Based on $33.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.85/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Normal, IL can expect to earn approximately $70,412 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,622. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Normal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Normal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,354.08 | $5,868 | $70,412 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $812.45 | $3,521 | $42,247 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $541.63 | $2,347 | $28,165 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Normal) | $33.85 |
| 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 Normal, IL earn a median of $70,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $72,584.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.85/hr = $42,247/year (purchasing power: $43,509).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,412/year (purchasing power: $72,515).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Normal grew 20.4% from $27.22/hr (2019) to $32.78/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.96/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 Normal 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 Normal
The earning potential for a part-time court reporter who works 24 hours a week can reach approximately $52,093 annually, which stands in stark contrast to full-time figures and highlights the benefits of flexible scheduling. Freelance deposition reporters play a crucial role in setting their own rates, often making between $400 to $800 for a half-day session, in addition to further revenues from per-page transcript fees. Specific employers greatly influence hourly pay, with freelance and agency work commonly yielding higher rates than traditional positions like those within state or federal courts. Some court reporters may opt for lower pay with benefits, such as health insurance, striking a balance between financial security and hourly wage. Negotiation skills are key in this market; understanding the worth of one's qualifications, including NCRA certifications, can lead to better compensation in a competitive landscape where court reporters face both opportunity and challenges from digital recording technologies.
More salary data for Normal, 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 Normal. 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 Normal 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