Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $32.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Dubuque, IA runs $32.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,413 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,049 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dubuque, Iowa, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to be $32.89 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $35.96. This level of compensation can influence the decisions of those considering part-time or per-diem work within this field, which often includes roles in deposition conference rooms, state and federal courthouses, as well as broadcast captioning and CART services. For those working three days a week, this translates to a steady income that allows flexibility, while freelancers may appreciate the ability to command a higher fee per job, depending on the urgency and complexity of the assignment. The estimated hourly range for court reporters in Dubuque spans from $19.07 for entry-level positions to $50.98 for top earners, illustrating a landscape where experience and specialization have a significant impact on earnings.
About the Dubuque 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) | $19.07 | $152.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.14 | $193.16 |
| Median (P50) | $32.89 | $263.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.10 | $336.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.98 | $407.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $32.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.89/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $68,414 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,470. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,315.66 | $5,701 | $68,414 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $789.40 | $3,421 | $41,049 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $526.26 | $2,280 | $27,366 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Dubuque) | $32.89 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA earn a median of $68,413 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.52% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.20% above the Iowa state average of $67,602.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.89/hr = $41,049/year (purchasing power: $45,408).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,414/year (purchasing power: $75,680).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Dubuque grew 20.4% from $26.44/hr (2019) to $31.85/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.97/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 Dubuque 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 Dubuque
From a practical standpoint, part-time court reporters working 24 hours a week can expect to take home significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem court reporter pay in Dubuque varies widely, particularly in freelance roles, where deposition reporters typically earn between $400 and $800 for a half-day session, along with additional compensation per page of transcript. The hourly rates also fluctuate depending on the employer type; freelance reporters often book through firms such as Veritext or US Legal Support, while those employed in state or federal court systems might find their pay more stable but potentially lower. With a chronic shortage in the court reporting workforce—an estimated 5,500-reporter gap—reporters may find themselves negotiating their rates more fiercely. Some professionals opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance, while others may prefer the lack of benefits that come with a higher hourly rate. Negotiation strategies can vary, and it's advisable for court reporters in Dubuque to research going rates based on their specific area of expertise to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Dubuque in 2026?
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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 Dubuque. 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 Dubuque 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