Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $32.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Iowa City, IA runs $32.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,337 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,404 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Iowa City, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $32.38, which is below the national median of $35.96. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to varied earning potential—especially in settings like deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and CART service events. Freelance court reporters often have the flexibility to dictate their schedules, making per-diem work attractive. With an hourly range from $18.77 for entry-level positions to $50.18 for experienced professionals, reporters can find opportunities aligning with their expertise and chosen work environments, with rates estimated from annual salary data reflecting future job market trends.
About the Iowa City 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) | $18.77 | $150.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.31 | $186.46 |
| Median (P50) | $32.38 | $259.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.44 | $331.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.18 | $401.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $32.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.38/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $67,340 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,850. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,295.01 | $5,612 | $67,340 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.00 | $3,367 | $40,404 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.00 | $2,245 | $26,936 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Iowa City) | $32.38 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $67,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.96% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $67,608.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.38/hr = $40,404/year (purchasing power: $44,695).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,340/year (purchasing power: $74,491).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Iowa City grew 20.4% from $26.03/hr (2019) to $31.35/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.43/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
Looking at potential earnings, a part-time court reporter working 24 hours a week could see a substantial income annually, though significantly less than full-time counterparts. Freelance deposition reporting can yield earnings of $400-$800 per half-day session, with additional fees for per-page transcripts. This flexibility extends to realtime and CART services, where rates can vary widely, from $150-$300/hour. Variations in hourly pay can stem from employer type; independent court reporters book through agencies, while official state positions may provide more job security but could offer lower hourly rates. Many opt for agency roles to secure benefits like health insurance, balancing lower hourly pay against the stability offered. Understanding the Iowa City market can aid in negotiation, encouraging court reporters to leverage their specific skills for increased compensation.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Iowa City in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Iowa City?
Are court reporters in Iowa City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Iowa City?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Iowa City?
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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 Iowa City. 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 Iowa City 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