Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Palatine, IL: $34.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Palatine, IL runs $34.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Palatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,665 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palatine, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for court reporters in 2026 is $34.99, slightly below the national median of $35.96 per hour. This rate serves as a reasonable return for those engaged in various work settings such as freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and home studios for broadcast captioning. With an hourly range stretching from $20.29 for entry-level positions to $54.23 for top earners, aspiring court reporters have an opportunity to build experience and skills that can significantly affect their earning potential. The estimated pay structure takes into account typical annual salary data, translating into hourly figures that can substantiate incomes for part-time and per diem court reporters in this bustling IL suburb.
About the Palatine 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) | $20.29 | $162.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.26 | $202.08 |
| Median (P50) | $34.99 | $279.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.78 | $358.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.23 | $433.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palatine
Based on $34.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.99/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palatine, IL can expect to earn approximately $72,775 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,985. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Palatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,399.52 | $6,065 | $72,775 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $839.71 | $3,639 | $43,665 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $559.81 | $2,426 | $29,110 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Palatine) | $34.99 |
| 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 Palatine, IL earn a median of $72,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $72,620.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.99/hr = $43,665/year (purchasing power: $44,969).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,775/year (purchasing power: $74,948).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Palatine grew 20.4% from $28.13/hr (2019) to $33.88/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.13/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 Palatine 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 Palatine
For those considering part-time work in Palatine, a reporter scheduled for three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can earn around $43,440 annually, which is still a viable income compared to a full-time commitment. Many court reporters opt for per-diem roles, often receiving between $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, plus additional per-page fees that can further enhance earnings. Positions related to realtime and CART captioning can command rates of $150 to $300 per hour, an appealing option given the increasing demand for such services. Different employer types also influence earnings; freelance court reporters may see varied rates depending on client needs, while official court reporters working in governmental settings often have more stability but may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. For those in the Palatine area, negotiating based on skills and market demand can provide opportunities for higher pay, facilitated through industry relationships and professionalism.
More salary data for Palatine, 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 Palatine. 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 Palatine 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