Court Reporter Hourly Pay in South Portland, ME: $26.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in South Portland, ME runs $26.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,457 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against South Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,277 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in South Portland, Maine, can expect a median hourly pay of $26.66, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This discrepancy illustrates the regional economic variations faced by court reporters. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly pay translates into potential earnings of around $25,437 annually, which may not fully sustain a desired lifestyle. Per-diem court reporters, who frequently operate in diverse settings like deposition conference rooms or as CART providers, would have flexible earnings that depend on the hours they choose to work and their specific niche within the industry. The hourly rate range in South Portland stretches from $16.88 for entry-level positions to $41.33 for top earners, highlighting the earning potential that comes with experience and expertise.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.88 | $135.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.04 | $160.36 |
| Median (P50) | $26.66 | $213.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.13 | $273.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.33 | $330.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Portland
Based on $26.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.66/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $55,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,997. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,066.57 | $4,622 | $55,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.94 | $2,773 | $33,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.63 | $1,849 | $22,185 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (South Portland) | $26.66 |
| 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 South Portland, ME earn a median of $55,457 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.85% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.40% below the Maine state average of $57,409.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.66/hr = $33,277/year (purchasing power: $33,411).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,462/year (purchasing power: $55,685).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in South Portland grew 20.4% from $21.44/hr (2019) to $25.82/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.54/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 South Portland 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 South Portland
Examining the earning potential of a part-time court reporter reveals interesting dynamics. Working just three days a week for 24 hours results in earnings that may leave professionals in South Portland seeking additional opportunities. The realities of freelance work show that per diem court reporters can command impressive rates, sometimes earning $400-$800 for half-day depositions or $150-$300 per hour for realtime captioning services. However, many court reporters weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates for freelance jobs and the stability that comes with official positions in state or federal court systems, where benefits such as health insurance can be significant. It's also crucial for court reporters to recognize how their hourly rate might differ based on employer type; freelance work through firms like Veritext or independent contracting often yield higher pay compared to being an official court employee. For those in South Portland, this means negotiation skills are vital; court reporters should be prepared to discuss their value and market rate to achieve favorable compensation.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 South Portland. 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 South Portland 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