Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Chaska, MN: $35.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Chaska, MN runs $35.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Chaska's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,678 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chaska, Minnesota, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $35.00, slightly below the national median of $35.96 per hour. This rate supports a variety of work arrangements, making it an appealing option for those seeking flexibility, including part-time and per-diem roles in diverse settings such as deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and CART services. Entry-level court reporters can expect to earn around $20.77 per hour, while experienced professionals may earn upwards of $54.25 per hour. The hourly compensation reflects a balance between the demands of the job and varying work conditions across Chaska's legal and educational environments.
About the Chaska Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.77 | $166.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.95 | $207.61 |
| Median (P50) | $35.00 | $279.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.80 | $358.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.25 | $433.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chaska
Based on $35.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.00/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chaska, MN can expect to earn approximately $72,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,998. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chaska.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chaska
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,399.93 | $6,066 | $72,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $839.96 | $3,640 | $43,678 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $559.97 | $2,427 | $29,119 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Chaska) | $35.00 |
| 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 Chaska, MN earn a median of $72,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.20% below the Minnesota state average of $73,688.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.00/hr = $43,678/year (purchasing power: $44,343).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,796/year (purchasing power: $73,905).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Chaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Chaska grew 20.4% from $28.14/hr (2019) to $33.89/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.14/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 Chaska 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 Chaska
With a part-time court reporter working three days a week, taking home income reflects distinct earning potential compared to full-time counterparts. Annually, a court reporter working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate could expect to gross approximately $43,680. The per diem court reporter pay in Chaska offers unique opportunities, as freelance deposition reporters can earn significantly more—between $400 and $800 per half-day, plus additional charges for transcript services. Variability exists based on employer type: independent firms, state and federal courts, or broadcast captioning services may each offer different hourly compensation. Many court reporters find themselves weighing the benefits of steady employment—including health insurance—against the higher hourly rates available in freelance roles. When negotiating, reporters should consider their experience level, specialization in realtime or CART services, and local market demands to maximize their earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Chaska, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Chaska in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Chaska?
Are court reporters in Chaska paid hourly or salary?
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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 Chaska. 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 Chaska 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