Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bethesda, MD: $37.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bethesda, MD runs $37.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,955 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bethesda's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,377 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporting in Bethesda, MD is an appealing profession, particularly when considering the median hourly rate of $37.96, which is higher than the national hourly median of $35.96. This wage reflects the demand for skilled stenographers in various settings including courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Those working as per-diem court reporters or in part-time capacities can expect to earn significantly within this range—entry-level positions begin around $22.10 an hour, while top earners can make as much as $58.83. The hourly compensation offers flexibility, especially for those balancing other commitments, making the profession attractive for individuals seeking supplemental income or varied work environments.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.10 | $176.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.03 | $224.22 |
| Median (P50) | $37.96 | $303.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.59 | $388.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.83 | $470.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethesda
Based on $37.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.96/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethesda, MD can expect to earn approximately $78,961 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,554. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bethesda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethesda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,518.48 | $6,580 | $78,961 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $911.09 | $3,948 | $47,377 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $607.39 | $2,632 | $31,584 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bethesda) | $37.96 |
| 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 Bethesda, MD earn a median of $78,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $81,734.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.96/hr = $47,377/year (purchasing power: $43,346).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,961/year (purchasing power: $72,243).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bethesda grew 20.4% from $30.52/hr (2019) to $36.76/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.20/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 Bethesda 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 Bethesda
When examining the dynamics of court reporter pay, it’s evident that part-time court reporters working three days a week could expect to earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. Freelance deposition reporters typically command pay between $400 to $800 for short assignments, while realtime services and CART captioning can net professionals $150 to $300 per hour. Various employer types influence earnings as well; independent court reporters often find work through agencies, while official court reporters may receive more stable salaries with benefits. Some reporters choose lower hourly rates through positions that offer health insurance, weighing security against potentially higher freelance earnings without benefits. Negotiation becomes vital in Bethesda's market, especially for freelancers, where presenting a strong portfolio and understanding local pay standards can lead to more favorable contracts.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Bethesda 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 Bethesda. 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 Bethesda 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