Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Ankeny, IA: $31.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Ankeny, IA runs $31.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,703 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Ankeny's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,425 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ankeny, Iowa, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $31.59, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96. This difference can impact both part-time professionals and per-diem workers who may take on flexible schedules across various settings like deposition conference rooms and courtrooms. For court reporters working three days a week, this hourly rate provides a steady income while allowing for a balanced work-life situation. Those entering the field can expect an hourly range stretching from $18.83, typically for entry-level roles, to as much as $48.96 for top earners. It's essential for those considering this career path to understand that these figures are estimations derived from annual salary data and can fluctuate based on experience and the type of reporting work undertaken.
About the Ankeny 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) | $18.83 | $150.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.55 | $188.36 |
| Median (P50) | $31.59 | $252.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.43 | $323.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.96 | $391.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ankeny
Based on $31.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.59/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ankeny, IA can expect to earn approximately $65,708 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,908. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ankeny.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ankeny
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,263.61 | $5,476 | $65,708 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.17 | $3,285 | $39,425 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.44 | $2,190 | $26,283 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Ankeny) | $31.59 |
| 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 Ankeny, IA earn a median of $65,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.15% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.80% below the Iowa state average of $67,596.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.59/hr = $39,425/year (purchasing power: $43,611).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,708/year (purchasing power: $72,686).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Ankeny grew 20.4% from $25.40/hr (2019) to $30.59/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.62/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 Ankeny 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 Ankeny
Beyond the basic pay structure, part-time court reporters working 24 hours a week can expect a significantly different annual take-home compared to their full-time counterparts. Freelance deposition reporters in Ankeny often earn between $400 and $800 for half-day sessions, coupled with additional per-page fees for transcripts. Meanwhile, realtime or CART captioning services can garner between $150 and $300 per hour, with urgent transcript requests attracting a premium. The variability in hourly rates is influenced by the type of employer, whether they are freelance firms or official court reporters employed in state or federal systems. Some court reporters might accept lower hourly rates from employers that offer benefits like health insurance, creating a trade-off between immediate financial gain and long-term security. As for negotiation in Ankeny, it’s wise for hourly workers to clearly articulate their skill set and experience while highlighting any specialized certifications such as RPR or CRR to enhance their bargaining position.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Ankeny in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Ankeny?
Are court reporters in Ankeny paid hourly or salary?
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Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Ankeny?
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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 Ankeny. 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 Ankeny 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