Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $27.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Billings, MT runs $27.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,076 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,244 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Billings, Montana, earn a median hourly pay of $27.44, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.96 per hour. This rate has significant implications for those who may work part-time or as per-diem reporters. For instance, a court reporter working three days a week would earn around $27,000 annually, making part-time positions accommodating yet less financially rewarding. For per-diem court reporter pay in Billings, professionals working in various environments—like deposition rooms, state and federal courtrooms, or providing CART services—can see their hourly rates vary widely. With an hourly range from $15.91 for entry-level to $42.54 for top earners, opportunities abound for skilled court reporters, suggesting potential for growth as they gain experience and expand their networks.
About the Billings Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.91 | $127.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.91 | $159.28 |
| Median (P50) | $27.44 | $219.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.12 | $280.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.54 | $340.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $27.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.44/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $57,073 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,927. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,097.55 | $4,756 | $57,073 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $658.53 | $2,854 | $34,244 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.02 | $1,902 | $22,829 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Billings) | $27.44 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $57,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.68% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.10% above the Montana state average of $55,360.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.44/hr = $34,244/year (purchasing power: $35,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,073/year (purchasing power: $59,327).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Billings grew 20.4% from $22.06/hr (2019) to $26.57/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.34/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 Billings 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 Billings
Examining the earning potential for court reporters highlights a few essential trends. Working a part-time schedule, such as 24 hours per week, may yield a significantly lower annual income compared to full-time reporters, who could potentially enjoy higher returns. Freelance deposition reporters particularly benefit from greater earnings, with some receiving $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, in addition to supplemental per-page fees for transcripts. In contrast, the structured environment of official court reporters or CART providers may offer steady income with employee benefits, even if at a lower hourly rate. Additionally, negotiation plays a crucial role in determining pay; court reporters may need to assess their priorities regarding benefits versus hourly income. Understanding the different sectors—freelance versus state or federal employment—in Billings can be a strategic advantage for those entering or advancing in this specialized field.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. 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 Billings 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