Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Marion, IA: $31.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Marion, IA runs $31.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,480 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Marion's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,889 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, IA, the current court reporter hourly pay stands at $31.96, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96. This disparity affects professionals working in various settings, from courtrooms to freelance deposition conferences. For those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, the earnings can provide a stable supplemental income, allowing for flexibility in other pursuits or responsibilities. The hourly range for court reporters in Marion varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $18.66 and experienced professionals earning up to $49.54. These figures illustrate the potential for growth within the profession while also reflecting the estimates derived from annual salary data for 2026.
About the Marion 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) | $18.66 | $149.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.49 | $187.95 |
| Median (P50) | $31.96 | $255.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.92 | $327.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.54 | $396.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Marion
Based on $31.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.96/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Marion, IA can expect to earn approximately $66,481 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,354. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Marion.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Marion
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,278.48 | $5,540 | $66,481 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $767.09 | $3,324 | $39,889 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $511.39 | $2,216 | $26,592 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Marion) | $31.96 |
| 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 Marion, IA earn a median of $66,480 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $67,630.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.96/hr = $39,889/year (purchasing power: $44,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,481/year (purchasing power: $73,541).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Marion grew 20.4% from $25.70/hr (2019) to $30.95/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.01/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 Marion 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 Marion
Current realities in the court reporting field influence actual take-home pay significantly, especially for part-time workers. For instance, a court reporter working three days a week can expect to earn around $41,382 annually, which is a fraction of what full-time counterparts can achieve. Per diem court reporter pay in Marion can vary widely, with freelance reporters reportedly charging between $400-$800 for a half-day deposition. Moreover, rates for CART live captioning can go from $150 to $300 per hour, depending on the event and urgency. Employment type further impacts earnings; while freelance court reporting is prevalent through firms like Veritext and Esquire, official court reporters employed by state and federal entities enjoy steady income, although potentially at lower hourly rates. Balancing benefits with hourly rates is an ongoing conversation in Marion, with some reporters opting for positions that provide health benefits, while others chase higher pay without them. In this dynamic environment, effective negotiation skills are essential for accessing the most favorable court reporter hourly rate in IA.
More salary data for Marion, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Marion in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Marion?
Are court reporters in Marion paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Marion?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Marion?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 Marion. 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 Marion 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