Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Moorhead, MN: $34.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Moorhead, MN runs $34.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Moorhead's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,505 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moorhead, Minnesota, court reporters earn a median hourly rate of $34.06, slightly below the national median of $35.96. This rate reflects the local market for this crucial profession, where working part-time for three days a week can result in a considerable income while allowing for flexibility. Court reporters often find themselves in various settings, including deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even home studios for broadcast captioning. The hourly range in Moorhead can vary significantly, with entry-level pay starting at around $21.48, while top earners can command as much as $52.79 per hour. Given this spectrum, those in the field can structure their careers to meet both personal and financial aspirations.
About the Moorhead 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) | $21.48 | $171.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.19 | $209.51 |
| Median (P50) | $34.06 | $272.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.60 | $348.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.79 | $422.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moorhead
Based on $34.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.06/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moorhead, MN can expect to earn approximately $70,842 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,870. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Moorhead.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moorhead
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,362.34 | $5,903 | $70,842 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $817.40 | $3,542 | $42,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $544.94 | $2,361 | $28,337 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Moorhead) | $34.06 |
| 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 Moorhead, MN earn a median of $70,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $73,646.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.06/hr = $42,505/year (purchasing power: $43,152).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,842/year (purchasing power: $71,920).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Moorhead grew 20.4% from $27.38/hr (2019) to $32.98/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.17/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 Moorhead 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 Moorhead
Evaluating the part-time earning potential for court reporters working in Moorhead provides insight into their financial realities. A court reporter working 24 hours a week could earn approximately $42,500 annually, a significant sum but considerably less than full-time counterparts. Many freelance deposition reporters earn between $400 to $800 for a half-day deposition, and those in CART live captioning can charge $150 to $300 per hour, making per diem court reporter pay in Moorhead quite lucrative in specific contexts. Additionally, the mode of employment influences pay rates; freelance court reporters often book assignments through agencies like Veritext and US Legal Support, which may offer lower hourly rates compared to official court staff who benefit from health insurance and retirement benefits. Understanding this trade-off is critical for aspiring court reporters navigating job options. Moreover, negotiation for hourly rates should consider the specific market conditions and role requirements, ensuring that every reporter captures a fair rate reflective of their skills and experience.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Moorhead in 2026?
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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 Moorhead. 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 Moorhead 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