Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Jackson, MS: $21.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Jackson, MS runs $21.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,129 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jackson, Mississippi, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $21.74, which reflects a significant disparity compared to the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This difference illustrates the local economy's unique conditions, impacting part-time and per-diem court reporters working in various settings such as state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART live event venues. Freelancers in particular may find their earnings fluctuate widely between $13.20 for entry-level positions and up to $33.69 for the most experienced in the field. For court reporters in Jackson, this hourly rate presents a mixed bag; while it offers a reliable income for those working full-time, those seeking flexible schedules or per-diem opportunities might face challenges given the cost of living index of 85.7, which is lower than the national average.
About the Jackson Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.20 | $105.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.48 | $131.86 |
| Median (P50) | $21.74 | $173.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.82 | $222.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.69 | $269.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $21.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.74/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, MS can expect to earn approximately $45,216 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,086. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $869.53 | $3,768 | $45,216 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.72 | $2,261 | $27,129 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.81 | $1,507 | $18,086 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Jackson) | $21.74 |
| 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 Jackson, MS earn a median of $45,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.55% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% above the Mississippi state average of $44,804.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.74/hr = $27,129/year (purchasing power: $31,656).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,216/year (purchasing power: $52,760).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Jackson grew 20.4% from $17.48/hr (2019) to $21.05/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.45/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
In terms of part-time earning potential, working a three-day week would yield approximately $27,339 annually for court reporters in Jackson based on a schedule of 24 hours per week. This is notably lower than what full-time reporters earn, but part-time roles do allow for flexibility. Freelance deposition reporters can command significant fees of $400 to $800 for a half-day job, in addition to potential per-page transcript fees, offering lucrative per diem court reporter pay in Jackson. Meanwhile, hourly rates can also differ depending on the employer type; independent reporters, official state court reporters, federal court reporters, and CART providers all have distinct pay scales. Some reporters may choose to accept lower pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, underlining the trade-offs many face in their career. Negotiating better rates can be beneficial, particularly in a competitive job market, where seasoned professionals understand the nuances of their worth as skilled stenographers amid the evolving landscape of digital recording competition.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
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 Jackson. 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 Jackson 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