Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Owensboro, KY: $32.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Owensboro, KY runs $32.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Owensboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,404 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Owensboro, Kentucky, the projected court reporter hourly pay in 2026 is $32.38, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This pay scale reflects the unique dynamics of the local market, impacting both full-time and part-time court reporters. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-per-week schedule, the hourly rate can translate into a steady income through a variety of settings, including deposition conference rooms and courtrooms. With an hourly range from $18.77 at the lower end to $50.18 for those in the top percentile, opportunities exist for both entry-level reporters and seasoned professionals. This varied range often influences the nature of freelance work, per diem engagements, and the situations in which court reporters find themselves, whether it be in live captioning, CART services, or traditional court reporting.
About the Owensboro 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) | $18.77 | $150.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.62 | $188.94 |
| Median (P50) | $32.38 | $259.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.43 | $331.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.18 | $401.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Owensboro
Based on $32.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.38/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Owensboro, KY can expect to earn approximately $67,340 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,850. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Owensboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Owensboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,295.01 | $5,612 | $67,340 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.00 | $3,367 | $40,404 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.00 | $2,245 | $26,936 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Owensboro) | $32.38 |
| 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 Owensboro, KY earn a median of $67,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.97% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% above the Kentucky state average of $66,798.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.38/hr = $40,404/year (purchasing power: $45,245).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,340/year (purchasing power: $75,409).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Owensboro grew 20.4% from $26.03/hr (2019) to $31.35/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.43/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 Owensboro 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 Owensboro
Exploring part-time work, a court reporter in Owensboro working 24 hours a week might expect to earn around $41,476 annually, a figure that distinctly differs from the earnings of full-time counterparts. Freelance deposition reporters typically charge between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, supplemented by per-page transcript fees. Those specializing in realtime or CART services can earn $150 to $300 an hour, with rush transcript requests boasting premiums of 50-100% on standard rates. Pay variances also stem from employer types, as independent court reporters often negotiate rates through firms like Veritext or US Legal Support, while official court reporters for the state or federal system receive structured pay, sometimes with benefits. This leads to a decision-making process for some on whether to accept lower hourly rates for job security and health benefits or to pursue higher-paying freelance roles with less certainty. Court reporters in Owensboro are encouraged to understand their worth and negotiate effectively, especially as the profession faces a notable gap in workforce supply, according to the NCRA.
More salary data for Owensboro, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Owensboro 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 Owensboro. 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 Owensboro 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