Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Meridian, MS: $20.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Meridian, MS runs $20.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,488 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Meridian's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,493 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter hourly pay in Meridian, MS, is projected to reach $20.43, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $35.96. This disparity reflects not only the localized job market but also the state’s cost of living index, which stands at 85.7, well below the national average. For part-time court reporters working three days a week, this rate translates to a more modest income, making it an essential consideration for those balancing freelance roles in varied environments, such as deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and CART services. The hourly wage spans from $12.38 for entry-level positions to $31.66 for top earners with extensive experience and specialization, indicating a growth potential that is both realistic and attainable.
About the Meridian 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) | $12.38 | $99.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.36 | $122.85 |
| Median (P50) | $20.43 | $163.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.15 | $209.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.66 | $253.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Meridian
Based on $20.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.43/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Meridian, MS can expect to earn approximately $42,488 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,512. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Meridian.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Meridian
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $817.07 | $3,541 | $42,488 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $490.24 | $2,124 | $25,493 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $326.83 | $1,416 | $16,995 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Meridian) | $20.43 |
| 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 Meridian, MS earn a median of $42,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.19% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $44,819.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.43/hr = $25,493/year (purchasing power: $29,746).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,488/year (purchasing power: $49,577).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Meridian grew 20.4% from $16.42/hr (2019) to $19.78/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.09/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 Meridian 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 Meridian
For those considering part-time work versus full-time positions, a court reporter working 24 hours per week at the 2026 hourly rate is poised to take home a considerably lower annual amount compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem court reporter pay in Meridian can be more lucrative, especially for those who engage in freelance deposition work, where earnings often range from $400 to $800 per half-day, plus additional fees for transcript pages. Employment settings also heavily influence hourly pay; independent court reporting typically sees higher compensation than that of official court reporters or federal workers, who may benefit from job stability. Moreover, while some may accept lower hourly rates for employer-provided health benefits, gig work often yields greater hourly returns. Negotiation tactics can include emphasizing specialized skills such as realtime reporting for CART services that cater to diverse audiences, potentially leading to better hourly rates and benefits tailored to individual needs.
More salary data for Meridian, 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 Meridian. 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 Meridian 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