Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Tupelo, MS: $21.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Tupelo, MS runs $21.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,384 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Tupelo's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,627 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Tupelo, Mississippi, earn a median hourly rate of $21.34, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.96. This discrepancy reflects the unique economic conditions in the area, where seven court reporters work across various settings, including state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and broadcast captioning venues. For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week could result in around 24 hours of work to earn an hourly rate that ranges from $12.37 for entry-level reporters to $33.08 for those at the top of the pay scale. The estimated rates provide key insights for freelancers applying for per diem court reporter pay in Tupelo, signaling the potential for varying earnings depending on specialization and demand.
About the Tupelo 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) | $12.37 | $98.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.70 | $133.59 |
| Median (P50) | $21.34 | $170.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.31 | $218.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.08 | $264.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tupelo
Based on $21.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.34/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tupelo, MS can expect to earn approximately $44,378 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,603. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tupelo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tupelo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $853.42 | $3,698 | $44,378 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $512.05 | $2,219 | $26,627 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $341.37 | $1,479 | $17,751 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Tupelo) | $21.34 |
| 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 Tupelo, MS earn a median of $44,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.65% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $44,833.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.34/hr = $26,627/year (purchasing power: $31,070).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,378/year (purchasing power: $51,783).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Tupelo grew 20.4% from $17.15/hr (2019) to $20.66/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.03/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 Tupelo 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 Tupelo
In Tupelo, part-time court reporters working 24 hours a week could earn approximately $27,000 annually, contrasting with those who work full-time. The freelance nature of many court reporting jobs allows for per-diem earnings, with deposition reporters often commanding $400 to $800 for a half-day's work, along with additional fees for transcript pages. Realtime reporting and CART live captioning can yield $150 to $300 per hour, especially as demand for these skilled services continues to rise. Court reporters in different employment settings experience varying pay structures; while official court reporters might receive more stable salaries, independent contractors must navigate the competitive freelance market. Some may choose lower hourly rates for the benefits associated with full-time roles, especially as healthcare items become increasingly relevant. Negotiation skills play a vital role in securing better pay in Tupelo’s market, particularly for those working in specialties where the urgent need for services may drive better compensation.
More salary data for Tupelo, 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 Tupelo. 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 Tupelo 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