Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Somerville, MA: $39.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Somerville, MA runs $39.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,252 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Somerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,349 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Somerville, Massachusetts, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $39.54 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $35.96. This competitive rate makes the profession attractive not only for full-time positions in state and federal courtrooms but also for part-time court reporters working three days a week or as freelancers. Freelance court reporters often find themselves in deposition conference rooms or engaged in CART services, where the flexibility of assignments allows them to adjust their hours to meet personal and financial needs. With an hourly range from $23.08 for entry-level positions to $61.29 for highly experienced professionals, those who enter this field can look forward to diverse opportunities that allow for varying work schedules and financial security.
About the Somerville 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) | $23.08 | $184.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.11 | $232.89 |
| Median (P50) | $39.54 | $316.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.61 | $404.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.29 | $490.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Somerville
Based on $39.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.54/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Somerville, MA can expect to earn approximately $82,248 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,450. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Somerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Somerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,581.68 | $6,854 | $82,248 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $949.01 | $4,112 | $49,349 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $632.67 | $2,742 | $32,899 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Somerville) | $39.54 |
| 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 Somerville, MA earn a median of $82,252 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.98% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.40% above the Massachusetts state average of $81,117.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.54/hr = $49,349/year (purchasing power: $45,483).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,248/year (purchasing power: $75,804).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Somerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Somerville grew 20.4% from $31.79/hr (2019) to $38.29/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.84/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 Somerville 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 Somerville
When considering the financial landscape for court reporters, part-time professionals working 24 hours a week have the potential to earn around $49,000 annually, a substantial income, but far less than their full-time counterparts. Many freelance court reporters in Somerville earn between $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, in addition to transcript fees that can contribute significantly to their income. The hourly pay for real-time CART services can range from $150 to $300, depending on the urgency and complexity of the work. Various employers influence hourly pay rates within Somerville, from self-employed reporters affiliated with agencies like Veritext to official court reporters as state employees. While some may opt for slightly lower hourly rates when receiving health insurance benefits, others prioritize higher compensation for freelance work. Negotiation skills are vital in this market, as rates may vary considerably based on the type of work and employer.
More salary data for Somerville, MA:
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 Somerville. 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 Somerville 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