Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Chesterfield, MO: $31.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Chesterfield, MO runs $31.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,411 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Chesterfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,850 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Chesterfield, MO, earn a median hourly pay of $31.93, while the national median stands higher at $35.96. This discrepancy highlights the local market's nuances in different working environments, whether in comfortable deposition conference rooms, bustling courtrooms, or remote CART service locations. For part-time workers, like those operating three days a week, this salary translates directly into their earnings, affecting opportunities for those seeking supplemental income or freelance gigs. The hourly pay range varies significantly from entry-level positions starting at around $19.09 to top earners achieving rates of $49.49, reflecting the diversity of experience levels within this profession. As projections for 2026 roll in, the importance of skill and specialization becomes evident, especially for stenographers who maintain an edge against digital recording technologies.
About the Chesterfield Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.09 | $152.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.78 | $190.26 |
| Median (P50) | $31.93 | $255.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.86 | $326.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.49 | $395.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chesterfield
Based on $31.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.93/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chesterfield, MO can expect to earn approximately $66,417 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,317. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chesterfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chesterfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,277.24 | $5,535 | $66,417 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $766.35 | $3,321 | $39,850 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $510.90 | $2,214 | $26,567 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Chesterfield) | $31.93 |
| 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 Chesterfield, MO earn a median of $66,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.20% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $67,014.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.93/hr = $39,850/year (purchasing power: $44,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,417/year (purchasing power: $74,126).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Chesterfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Chesterfield grew 20.4% from $25.67/hr (2019) to $30.92/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.98/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 Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield
For part-time court reporters in Chesterfield, working approximately 24 hours per week can yield an annual income around $39,728, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem court reporter pay in this region varies widely; freelance deposition reporters generally charge between $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, in addition to earning per-page transcript fees that can significantly raise their overall income. In contrast, specialized roles such as realtime captioning can command rates ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. Court reporters working for government agencies or industry firms may see variations in their hourly compensation, with factors like benefits being a key consideration. Many trade higher hourly rates in freelance roles for stable benefits traditionally offered by official court positions. Negotiation is key; reporters should consider highlighting specialized skills such as realtime or CART proficiency to leverage better pay opportunities, especially in a market marked by a shortage of qualified professionals according to NCRA estimates.
More salary data for Chesterfield, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Chesterfield 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 Chesterfield. 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 Chesterfield 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