Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bozeman, MT: $26.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bozeman, MT runs $26.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,468 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bozeman's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,684 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, the projected court reporter hourly pay for 2026 stands at $26.19, significantly lower than the national median of $35.96 per hour. This disparity could be attributed to the local cost of living, which sits below the national average. For part-time court reporters working around three days a week, this rate translates to a challenging yet viable income depending on the hours they choose to take. Freelancers and those working in depositions, state and federal courtrooms, or providing CART services could see hourly rates varying widely, ranging from $16.10 for entry-level positions to $40.59 for experienced practitioners. These figures illustrate a broad earning potential that can accommodate both new entrants and seasoned court reporters in this picturesque Montana city.
About the Bozeman 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) | $16.10 | $128.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.91 | $159.28 |
| Median (P50) | $26.19 | $209.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.52 | $268.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.59 | $324.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bozeman
Based on $26.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.19/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bozeman, MT can expect to earn approximately $54,474 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,427. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bozeman.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bozeman
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,047.57 | $4,539 | $54,474 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $628.54 | $2,724 | $32,684 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.03 | $1,816 | $21,789 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bozeman) | $26.19 |
| 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 Bozeman, MT earn a median of $54,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.17% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.60% below the Montana state average of $55,353.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.19/hr = $32,684/year (purchasing power: $33,975).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,474/year (purchasing power: $56,625).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bozeman grew 20.4% from $21.06/hr (2019) to $25.36/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.05/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 Bozeman 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 Bozeman
Investigating the part-time earning potential reveals an intriguing aspect of court reporter hourly pay in Bozeman. A court reporter working roughly 24 hours a week at $26.19 could expect to bring home around $32,000 annually, a noticeable gap compared to full-time hours. On the freelance side of the profession, deposition reporters traditionally earn $400-$800 for half-day work, along with supplemental per-page fees that can significantly boost their overall revenue. Rates for realtime captioning can reach $150-$300 per hour, especially when rush transcript turnarounds command premium pricing. Hourly pay varies by role, with official court reporters enjoying state benefits while freelancers may choose higher hourly wages without health coverage. Negotiating for better pay is essential, particularly for those participating in specialized services like CART. In Bozeman, being informed about these factors can empower court reporters to secure favorable compensation while navigating the local market dynamics.
More salary data for Bozeman, 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 Bozeman. 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 Bozeman 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