Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Lowell, MA: $39.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Lowell, MA runs $39.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,371 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Lowell's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,820 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lowell, Massachusetts, court reporters can expect a median hourly pay of $39.12, significantly higher than the national median of $35.96. This rate is advantageous for those opting for part-time work or per-diem assignments, allowing flexibility in various environments such as deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and broadcast captioning setups. Freelancing in court reporting often enables workers to book their schedules as they see fit and earn between $23.55 and $60.64 per hour, depending on experience and specialization. With growing demand for accuracy and immediate transcription in today’s legal and educational environments, hourly rates derived from annual salary data reflect the increasing value of professionals in this field.
About the Lowell 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) | $23.55 | $188.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.40 | $235.21 |
| Median (P50) | $39.12 | $312.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.08 | $400.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.64 | $485.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lowell
Based on $39.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.12/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lowell, MA can expect to earn approximately $81,367 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,942. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lowell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lowell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,564.75 | $6,781 | $81,367 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $938.85 | $4,068 | $48,820 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.90 | $2,712 | $32,547 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Lowell) | $39.12 |
| 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 Lowell, MA earn a median of $81,371 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,127.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.12/hr = $48,820/year (purchasing power: $44,995).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,367/year (purchasing power: $74,992).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lowell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Lowell grew 20.4% from $31.45/hr (2019) to $37.88/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.40/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 Lowell 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 Lowell
For part-time court reporters in Lowell working three days per week (approximately 24 hours), their financial outcomes can vary compared to full-time counterparts. Freelance deposition reporters frequently command substantial earnings ranging from $400 to $800 for a half-day assignment, with additional income from per-page transcript fees that can enhance overall hourly earnings. Agencies and independent firms like Veritext, US Legal Support, and others offer unique experiences and pay structures that affect overall take-home income. Federal court reporters and official state court reporters may have different pay scales based on employment benefits like health insurance, making it essential to weigh hourly rates against enforceable benefits. Understanding negotiation dynamics specific to hourly workers can further empower court reporters in Lowell to maximize their earnings, particularly amidst the industry's increasing reliance on stenographic skills over technological alternatives.
More salary data for Lowell, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Lowell in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Lowell?
Are court reporters in Lowell paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Lowell?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Lowell?
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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 Lowell. 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 Lowell 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