Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $32.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $32.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,979 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,185 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $32.20, placing it below the national median of $35.96. This pay rate informs both part-time professionals and those working on a per-diem basis, creating a spectrum of earning potential based on hours worked. For those operating three days a week, this could translate into a stable income while allowing flexibility. Freelance opportunities often arise in various settings, including deposition conference rooms and university classrooms, with entry-level workers earning around $18.68 per hour, while more seasoned court reporters can reach hourly rates as high as $49.91. These variations depend significantly on the nature of the work—whether in courtrooms or remote CART services—and are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the profession's current landscape.
About the Cedar Falls 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) | $18.68 | $149.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.22 | $201.75 |
| Median (P50) | $32.20 | $257.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.22 | $329.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.91 | $399.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $32.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.20/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $66,975 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,640. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,287.98 | $5,581 | $66,975 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $772.79 | $3,349 | $40,185 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $515.19 | $2,233 | $26,790 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Cedar Falls) | $32.20 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $66,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.44% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $67,587.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.20/hr = $40,185/year (purchasing power: $44,453).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,975/year (purchasing power: $74,088).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Cedar Falls grew 20.4% from $25.89/hr (2019) to $31.18/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.25/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Fully understanding the earning potential and dynamics within the court reporting field in Cedar Falls is essential for both current practitioners and aspiring professionals. Working part-time, a court reporter could bring in roughly $24,185 annually, which significantly contrasts with a full-time income. Additionally, per diem work offers other interests in the form of freelance deposition reporting, with workers often earning anywhere from $400 to $800 for a half-day assignment, in addition to per-page transcript fees. Employment circumstances can influence hourly rates; for example, those working as official court reporters for the state court system may earn differently compared to their freelance counterparts. Factors such as health insurance benefits versus higher hourly wages must be weighed, especially for those practicing in a competitive field where stenographic reporting faces challenges from digital recording methods. Negotiation remains proud for successful court reporters, and understanding local market trends in Cedar Falls is key to achieving satisfactory agreements.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls 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