Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Laurel, MD: $37.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Laurel, MD runs $37.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,652 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Laurel's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,590 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laurel, Maryland, court reporters earn a median hourly pay of $37.33, which is slightly above the national median of $35.96. This competitive rate makes it an enticing profession, especially for those seeking part-time opportunities or per diem work. Often found in various settings such as deposition conference rooms, federal courtrooms, and CART venues, part-time court reporters can expect to earn a solid pay rate while enjoying a flexible schedule. With hourly earnings ranging between $22.79 for entry-level positions to $57.86 for top professionals, this line of work allows individuals to tailor their involvement based not just on their expertise but also on personal circumstances.
About the Laurel 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) | $22.79 | $182.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.15 | $225.21 |
| Median (P50) | $37.33 | $298.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.78 | $382.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.86 | $462.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laurel
Based on $37.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.33/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laurel, MD can expect to earn approximately $77,651 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,799. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Laurel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laurel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,493.28 | $6,471 | $77,651 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $895.97 | $3,883 | $46,590 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.31 | $2,588 | $31,060 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Laurel) | $37.33 |
| 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 Laurel, MD earn a median of $77,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $81,739.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.33/hr = $46,590/year (purchasing power: $42,626).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,651/year (purchasing power: $71,044).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Laurel grew 20.4% from $30.02/hr (2019) to $36.15/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.55/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 Laurel 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 Laurel
Exploring the earning potential further, part-time court reporters working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) will find themselves bringing home a substantial income, though less than full-time counterparts. For example, freelancers might earn high per diem rates, often receiving $400-$800 for half-day depositions, in addition to per-page fees, while those specializing in realtime captioning can command $150-$300 per hour. Court reporters in Laurel may work for various employers, including freelance agencies, the state court system, and broadcast captioning services, which can yield differing hourly rates based on employer type. Some professionals might accept lower hourly compensation for the inclusion of benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer higher rates without benefits depending on their financial needs. For those negotiating rates, understanding these dynamics and tapping into local industry trends can be key to securing the best court reporter hourly pay in Laurel, MD.
More salary data for Laurel, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Laurel in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Laurel?
Are court reporters in Laurel paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Laurel?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Laurel?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 Laurel. 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 Laurel 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