Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Murray, KY: $30.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Murray, KY runs $30.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,465 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Murray's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,479 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Murray, KY, earn a median hourly rate of $30.03, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96. This difference in pay reflects the region's specific economic landscape and the cost of living index of 89.3, suggesting that court reporters in Murray may find themselves earning less compared to their peers nationwide. For those working part-time or as per-diem court reporters, this hourly rate translates to varying income potential depending on their schedule and number of assignments. For example, a part-time court reporter working three days a week might take home around $23,000 per year based solely on the median pay, while opportunities in environments like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, CART services, or even freelance positions can provide additional income opportunities through varied project rates. Hourly earnings in Murray range from $19.72 at entry-level positions to $46.54 for the more experienced top earners in the field, demonstrating an opportunity for growth based on skill level and specialty.
About the Murray 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) | $19.72 | $157.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.59 | $188.69 |
| Median (P50) | $30.03 | $240.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.44 | $307.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.54 | $372.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murray
Based on $30.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.03/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murray, KY can expect to earn approximately $62,464 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,037. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murray.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murray
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,201.24 | $5,205 | $62,464 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.74 | $3,123 | $37,479 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.49 | $2,082 | $24,986 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Murray) | $30.03 |
| 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 Murray, KY earn a median of $62,465 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.48% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 6.50% below the Kentucky state average of $66,807.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.03/hr = $37,479/year (purchasing power: $41,969).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,464/year (purchasing power: $69,949).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Murray (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Murray grew 20.4% from $24.14/hr (2019) to $29.08/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.01/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 Murray 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 Murray
Shifting focus to the earning dynamics in Murray, part-time court reporters face unique financial realities compared to their full-time counterparts. A part-time worker averaging 24 hours per week could expect to bring home about $23,000 annually, which may seem limited but can be supplemented significantly through freelance work. Per-diem court reporters often command impressive rates, earning anywhere from $400-$800 for half-day depositions, in addition to potential fees for transcript services. While official court reporters for state or federal courts may have more consistent hours and benefits, freelance reporters have the flexibility to choose assignments, which can significantly boost earnings. In Murray, those working in specialized fields such as realtime captioning or CART service often command premium rates, reflecting the specialized skills required. Although many court reporters may accept lower wage jobs in exchange for health benefits, negotiating for higher pay in freelance roles can be advantageous, especially given the chronic reporter shortage noted by the NCRA.
More salary data for Murray, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Murray in 2026?
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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 Murray. 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 Murray 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