Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Plainfield, IN: $28.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Plainfield, IN runs $28.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,807 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Plainfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,880 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Plainfield, Indiana, earn a median hourly pay of $28.75, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.96. This discrepancy may influence part-time and per-diem workers who typically operate in deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, or provide CART services. For those pursuing part-time work at three days a week, this hourly rate can be sufficient, depending on the number of hours worked within a week, which may result in a flexible work-life balance. The hourly pay range in Plainfield varies widely, from $16.94 at entry-level positions to $44.57 for those with more experience or specialization. The range illustrates that earnings can increase substantially for those holding certifications like the RPR or who work in more lucrative areas such as broadcast captioning.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.94 | $135.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.43 | $179.44 |
| Median (P50) | $28.75 | $230.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.81 | $294.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.57 | $356.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plainfield
Based on $28.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.75/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plainfield, IN can expect to earn approximately $59,801 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,500. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Plainfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plainfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.01 | $4,983 | $59,801 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.01 | $2,990 | $35,880 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.01 | $1,993 | $23,920 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Plainfield) | $28.75 |
| 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 Plainfield, IN earn a median of $59,807 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.03% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.20% below the Indiana state average of $60,533.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.75/hr = $35,880/year (purchasing power: $39,300).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,801/year (purchasing power: $65,499).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Plainfield grew 20.4% from $23.12/hr (2019) to $27.84/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.69/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 Plainfield 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 Plainfield
For part-time reporters, the annual earnings from working three days a week can amount to approximately $44,880, a sizable difference compared to full-time reporters' potential earnings. Freelance court reporters often exemplify the income variability in this field; those working on per-diem schedules can earn between $400 and $800 for each half-day deposition and command up to $300 for realtime captioning work. In Plainfield, various employment settings—ranging from freelance agencies to official court positions—impact hourly pay significantly. While freelance work typically offers higher pay rates, official court reporters enjoy the advantage of job security and benefits, making it a trade-off that many navigate when assessing their career paths. For those willing to negotiate their hourly rate, especially in lower-cost regions like Plainfield, understanding local market dynamics and job expectations can provide essential leverage in conversations about pay.
More salary data for Plainfield, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Plainfield in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Plainfield?
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How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Plainfield?
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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 Plainfield. 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 Plainfield 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