Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $31.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Urbandale, IA runs $31.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,596 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,755 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, the projected court reporter hourly pay for 2026 stands at $31.05, significantly below the national hourly median of $35.96. This hourly rate offers a contrasting perspective for part-time and per-diem workers in various professional settings, such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART live event venues. For part-time reporters working three days a week, this equates to potential earnings of about $1,000 weekly, making it feasible for those seeking a balanced work-life schedule. With an hourly range of $19.22 for entry-level positions and up to $48.13 for seasoned professionals, the Urbandale market provides opportunities across different experience levels. Given that these numbers are rooted in annual salary data, it’s crucial for court reporters to grasp how their hourly rates translate to actual earnings in their day-to-day work.
About the Urbandale 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) | $19.22 | $153.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.64 | $189.11 |
| Median (P50) | $31.05 | $248.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.75 | $317.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.13 | $385.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $31.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.05/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $64,591 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,264. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,242.13 | $5,383 | $64,591 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.28 | $3,230 | $38,755 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.85 | $2,153 | $25,836 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Urbandale) | $31.05 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $64,596 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.63% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $67,640.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.05/hr = $38,755/year (purchasing power: $42,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,591/year (purchasing power: $71,450).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Urbandale grew 20.4% from $24.97/hr (2019) to $30.07/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.07/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
Examining the earning potential for court reporters in Urbandale reveals several financial dynamics. For a part-time court reporter working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay would be around $48,936, notably less than a full-time counterpart who could earn over $64,596. Freelancers and per-diem reporters often see variable earnings, as half-day deposition work can yield $400 to $800, supplemented by per-page transcript fees. The competition in Urbandale includes independent contractors, state and federal official reporters, and specialized CART captioners, each reflecting diverse hourly pay rates influenced by their employment type. Some reporters may choose lower-paying positions for the stability of health insurance, while others pursue higher hourly wages through freelance work, which often lacks such benefits. Negotiating in this market involves understanding the specific demands of various clients and clearly articulating the value of one's skills, particularly for those with NCRA credentials or specialized knowledge in realtime reporting.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Urbandale in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Urbandale?
Are court reporters in Urbandale paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Urbandale?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Urbandale?
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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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