Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Ames, IA: $32.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Ames, IA runs $32.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,278 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Ames's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,366 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ames, Iowa, court reporters receive an estimated median hourly pay of $32.34, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This discrepancy highlights the cost of living in Ames, which sits below the national average with a cost of living index of 90.4. For court reporters, this hourly rate allows for diverse working arrangements, especially for those part-time or per-diem workers who may find themselves balancing their time across deposition conference rooms, federal courtrooms, or providing CART services. Entry-level reporters might see earnings around $18.76, while experienced professionals can command rates upwards of $50.14, reflecting the breadth of expertise and market demand in Iowa. Overall, the estimated figures draw from annual salary projections, providing a practical framework for understanding the potential earnings on an hourly basis.
About the Ames Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.76 | $150.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.29 | $186.30 |
| Median (P50) | $32.34 | $258.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.40 | $331.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.14 | $401.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ames
Based on $32.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.34/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ames, IA can expect to earn approximately $67,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,813. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ames.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ames
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,293.77 | $5,606 | $67,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $776.26 | $3,364 | $40,366 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.51 | $2,243 | $26,910 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Ames) | $32.34 |
| 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 Ames, IA earn a median of $67,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.50% below the Iowa state average of $67,616.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.34/hr = $40,366/year (purchasing power: $44,652).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,276/year (purchasing power: $74,420).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Ames grew 20.4% from $26.00/hr (2019) to $31.32/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.40/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 Ames 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 Ames
With a workload adjusted to three days a week, a court reporter in Ames working 24 hours could potentially earn around $49,000 annually, which is notably less than their full-time counterparts but still represents a respectable income for part-time work. Freelance deposition reporters, who play a vital role in this profession, typically earn $400-$800 for half-day depositions, along with additional per-page fees for transcripts. For real-time captioning and CART services, pay can rise significantly, with reporters charging $150-$300 per hour, and rush transcript jobs can further inflate earnings by 50-100% per page. The variety in hourly compensation across different employer types—such as independent firms, state court systems, and broadcast captioning—offers flexibility but also presents considerations for job security and benefits. Many reporters in Ames may need to negotiate between hourly pay and health benefits offered by employers, such as state or federal positions. Understanding these dynamics can empower court reporters to make informed decisions regarding their careers in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
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 Ames. 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 Ames 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