Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Frankfort, KY: $31.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Frankfort, KY runs $31.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,423 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Frankfort's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,257 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Frankfort, Kentucky, court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $31.46, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96. This hourly wage provides an interesting backdrop for part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, including deposition conference rooms, federal and state courtrooms, as well as live event venues for CART services. For those seeking part-time opportunities, working around three days a week can yield substantial income, while the flexibility of per-diem roles can allow reporters to earn in line with their availability and skill level. The projected hourly rate ranges from $18.25 at the 10th percentile to $48.75 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning capability depending on experience and specialization.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.25 | $145.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.98 | $183.82 |
| Median (P50) | $31.46 | $251.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.26 | $322.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.75 | $390.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Frankfort
Based on $31.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.46/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Frankfort, KY can expect to earn approximately $65,429 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,747. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Frankfort.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Frankfort
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.24 | $5,452 | $65,429 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.95 | $3,271 | $39,257 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.30 | $2,181 | $26,171 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Frankfort) | $31.46 |
| 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 Frankfort, KY earn a median of $65,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.52% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $66,758.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.46/hr = $39,257/year (purchasing power: $43,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,429/year (purchasing power: $73,268).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Frankfort grew 20.4% from $25.29/hr (2019) to $30.46/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.48/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 Frankfort 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 Frankfort
Considering a typical schedule, a court reporter working part-time at 24 hours per week brings home an estimated annual income lower than a full-time counterpart, yet still benefits from flexibility. Freelance deposition reporters may capitalize on higher per diem court reporter pay in Frankfort, often earning between $400 and $800 for a half-day session, in addition to per-page transcript fees. Those involved in realtime captioning typically command between $150 and $300 per hour, emphasizing the lucrative opportunities within niche markets. Moreover, hourly rates can considerably differ based on employment type, with independent court reporters potentially earning more than those employed by the state or federal government. For some, accepting a lower pay can provide essential health benefits, illustrating a common trade-off in this line of work. When negotiating hourly rates, emphasizing skills related to RPR or CART certification can strengthen one's position in securing desired terms.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Frankfort. 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 Frankfort 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