Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $31.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Waukee, IA runs $31.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,683 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,806 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukee, Iowa, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $31.09 in 2026. This figure is below the national hourly median of $35.96, indicating a regional variance that can influence local job choices. For court reporters who opt for part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this rate translates to meaningful earnings while allowing for flexibility. Those engaged in per-diem work can expect varying income levels depending on their job settings, which include deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, broadcast captioning venues, and CART live event services. The hourly earning range for court reporters in this area stretches from $18.85 at the 10th percentile to $48.21 at the 90th percentile, providing insight into both entry-level positions and seasoned professionals in the field.
About the Waukee 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) | $18.85 | $150.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.38 | $187.04 |
| Median (P50) | $31.09 | $248.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.80 | $318.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.21 | $385.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $31.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.09/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $64,677 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,314. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,243.78 | $5,390 | $64,677 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $746.27 | $3,234 | $38,806 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.51 | $2,156 | $25,871 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Waukee) | $31.09 |
| 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 Waukee, IA earn a median of $64,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.51% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $67,590.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.09/hr = $38,806/year (purchasing power: $42,927).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,677/year (purchasing power: $71,545).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Waukee grew 20.4% from $25.00/hr (2019) to $30.11/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.11/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 Waukee 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 Waukee
When considering a court reporter's part-time earning potential in Waukee, a typical three-day workweek would yield an annual income significantly different from that of a full-time counterpart. For freelancers, the per diem court reporter pay in Waukee is particularly lucrative; many earn between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, not including additional page fees. Realtime and CART captioners generally command hourly rates between $150 and $300. This disparity in pay can be attributed to various employer types found in Waukee, such as independent agency reporters and official court reporters. While some may accept lower hourly rates for the security of benefits through full-time positions, others may prefer higher hourly wages without benefits, enabling them to manage their own schedules. Negotiation is key; it's advisable for court reporters to highlight their skills, especially in specialized areas like realtime reporting, to secure favorable pay agreements in a workforce facing a chronic shortage.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Waukee in 2026?
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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 Waukee. 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 Waukee 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