Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Houma, LA: $31.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Houma, LA runs $31.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,342 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Houma's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,206 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, the projected court reporter hourly pay for 2026 stands at $31.41, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96. This discrepancy suggests that local court reporters may find their compensation lacking compared to the broader market, impacting part-time and per-diem court reporters alike. Typically working in deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and providing CART services, those on a part-time schedule of three days per week could expect to manage their finances around this median hourly rate. The hourly range in Houma spans from $19.99 for entry-level positions to $48.69 for more experienced reporters, reflecting diverse opportunities within the field that cater to a variety of employment scenarios.
About the Houma 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) | $19.99 | $159.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.38 | $195.06 |
| Median (P50) | $31.41 | $251.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.21 | $321.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.69 | $389.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houma
Based on $31.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.41/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houma, LA can expect to earn approximately $65,343 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,698. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,256.59 | $5,445 | $65,343 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.95 | $3,267 | $39,206 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.64 | $2,178 | $26,137 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Houma) | $31.41 |
| 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 Houma, LA earn a median of $65,342 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.63% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% below the Louisiana state average of $67,502.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.41/hr = $39,206/year (purchasing power: $43,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,343/year (purchasing power: $72,362).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Houma grew 20.4% from $25.26/hr (2019) to $30.42/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.44/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 Houma 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 Houma
For those considering part-time positions, it's helpful to recognize how earnings could significantly differ between working three days a week versus full-time. A court reporter working 24 hours weekly may net around $42,000 annually, which is modest compared to a full-time income. In addition, many freelance court reporters in Houma can earn per diem rates that often swing between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, plus extra fees for page transcripts or expedited service, which can add substantial income over time. Different sectors, such as independent reporting, state employment, or broadcast captioning, each carry unique compensation structures. Some court reporters opt for lower hourly wages when accepting positions with employers offering benefits, while others maintain higher hourly rates without added perks. Understanding the local market dynamics, particularly in areas like negotiation and varying payment structures, is critical for anyone pursuing a court reporter role in Houma, LA.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Houma in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Houma?
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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 Houma. 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 Houma 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