Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Chelsea, MA: $38.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Chelsea, MA runs $38.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,402 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Chelsea's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,240 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chelsea, Massachusetts, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to be $38.65 for 2026, surpassing the national median of $35.96. This well-above-average hourly rate reflects the demand for skilled reporting in various settings, from state and federal courtrooms to deposition conference rooms and CART services in educational institutions. For court reporters opting for part-time or per-diem work, typically engaging in three-day work weeks, this compensation can significantly enhance their earnings while maintaining flexibility. The hourly rates in Chelsea range from about $23.06 for entry-level positions to $59.92 for top-tier professionals, demonstrating that those with more experience and specialized skills, particularly in fields such as realtime or CART captioning, stand to earn considerably more.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.06 | $184.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.78 | $230.25 |
| Median (P50) | $38.65 | $309.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.48 | $395.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.92 | $479.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chelsea
Based on $38.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.65/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chelsea, MA can expect to earn approximately $80,400 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,385. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chelsea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chelsea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,546.16 | $6,700 | $80,400 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $927.70 | $4,020 | $48,240 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $618.46 | $2,680 | $32,160 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Chelsea) | $38.65 |
| 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 Chelsea, MA earn a median of $80,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,132.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.65/hr = $48,240/year (purchasing power: $44,461).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,400/year (purchasing power: $74,102).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Chelsea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Chelsea grew 20.4% from $31.08/hr (2019) to $37.43/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.92/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 Chelsea 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 Chelsea
Part-time court reporters in MA, working an estimated 24 hours per week, may earn around $48,000 annually, a figure significantly lower than their full-time counterparts but still respectable for flexible work. Per diem court reporter pay in Chelsea varies widely; freelance reporters often charge between $400 and $800 per half-day deposition and command rates of $150 to $300 per hour for realtime captioning services. Depending on the type of employer—be it an independent agency or a government entity—hourly earnings can differ markedly. While freelance work might offer higher rates, some court reporters choose stable employment with benefits, accepting lower hourly pay. For those navigating the competitive realm of court reporting, understanding the nuances of employer types, hourly negotiations, and specialization is vital for maximizing earning potential within Chelsea's evolving job market.
More salary data for Chelsea, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Chelsea in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Chelsea?
Are court reporters in Chelsea paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Chelsea?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Chelsea?
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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 Chelsea. 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 Chelsea 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