Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $35.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Rochester, MN runs $35.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,156 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,490 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, court reporters receive a median hourly pay of $35.65, slightly below the national median of $35.96. This competitive rate appeals to both part-time and per-diem workers, who often operate in a variety of environments, including freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART services. For professionals who work three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a steady income, while those who secure per-diem jobs can take advantage of favorable rates. The hourly pay for court reporters in Rochester ranges from $21.68 for entry-level positions up to $55.26 for the most experienced in the field. These numbers are based on annual salaries, illustrating the financial potential available in this vital profession.
About the Rochester 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) | $21.68 | $173.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.95 | $215.63 |
| Median (P50) | $35.65 | $285.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.64 | $365.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.26 | $442.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $35.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.65/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $74,150 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,779. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,425.95 | $6,179 | $74,150 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $855.57 | $3,707 | $44,490 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.38 | $2,472 | $29,660 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Rochester) | $35.65 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $74,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.70% above the Minnesota state average of $73,641.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.65/hr = $44,490/year (purchasing power: $45,167).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,150/year (purchasing power: $75,279).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Rochester grew 20.4% from $28.66/hr (2019) to $34.52/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.81/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Consider the implications of working part-time in court reporting: dedicating about 24 hours per week can yield meaningful earnings, particularly through freelance avenues where arbiters may charge between $400 to $800 for a half-day deposition. Further potential for income growth exists in realtime and CART captioning roles, where pay can reach $150 to $300 per hour. Different employer types influence hourly pay variability. Freelance court reporters, often linked with firms like Veritext, may earn less per hour but enjoy flexibility. Meanwhile, official court reporters within the state system might receive more consistent hours, but potentially at a lower hourly rate. The decision to accept positions with benefits versus higher hourly rates without them is common among reporters. Negotiating pay rates can be particularly effective by emphasizing specialty skills in realtime or CART, which are in high demand amidst the current shortage of court reporters estimated by the NCRA.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Rochester in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Rochester?
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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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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