Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Central, LA: $31.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Central, LA runs $31.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,876 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Central's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,922 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Central, Louisiana, earn a median hourly rate of $31.19 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96. This difference can impact part-time workers and per-diem court reporters, particularly those operating in settings like freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) venues. Part-time court reporters working three days a week might find their income limited; with an hourly range from $19.48 at the lower end to $48.34 at the top, earnings vary significantly based on experience and specialty. Furthermore, the potential for per-diem work is attractive, allowing reporters to earn substantial fees based on the type of service provided, with diversity in income reflecting both employer types and job settings.
About the Central Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.48 | $155.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.94 | $191.50 |
| Median (P50) | $31.19 | $249.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.92 | $319.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.34 | $386.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Central
Based on $31.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.19/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Central, LA can expect to earn approximately $64,870 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,425. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Central.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Central
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,247.50 | $5,406 | $64,870 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.50 | $3,244 | $38,922 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.00 | $2,162 | $25,948 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Central) | $31.19 |
| 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 Central, LA earn a median of $64,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.25% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.90% below the Louisiana state average of $67,509.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.19/hr = $38,922/year (purchasing power: $43,103).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,870/year (purchasing power: $71,838).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Central (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Central grew 20.4% from $25.07/hr (2019) to $30.20/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.21/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 Central 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 Central
For those considering court reporter positions in Central, the part-time earning potential can be quite revealing. A three-day workweek, totaling roughly 24 hours, could yield a modest annual take-home compared to full-time counterparts, impacting long-term financial planning. Freelancers typically earn between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, supplemented by per-page transcript fees, while those involved in realtime captioning can command rates ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. The competitive nature of the field can produce varied hourly rates depending on whether one works for independent reporting firms, official court systems, or in broadcast captioning arenas. Some court reporters opt for lower hourly rates with health benefits, a trade-off worth considering. Negotiation strategies for hourly roles may include demonstrating specialization in realtime skills, which are increasingly in demand, particularly in light of the NCRA acknowledging a growing shortage of reporters that the industry is facing.
More salary data for Central, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Central in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Central?
Are court reporters in Central paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Central?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Central?
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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 Central. 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 Central 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