Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Helena, MT: $25.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Helena, MT runs $25.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,007 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Helena's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,808 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Helena, Montana, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to be $25.49 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.96 per hour. This disparity reflects the local market dynamics, where factors such as the cost of living and demand for reporting services play critical roles. Given this rate, part-time court reporters working three days a week can anticipate a steady income, particularly if they operate in freelance settings such as deposition conference rooms, state courtrooms, or venues providing CART live event services. The hourly pay range for court reporters in Helena varies widely, starting at $15.79 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $39.50 for experienced professionals. While the hourly rates are estimated from annual salary data, they provide a framework for understanding potential earnings whether working part-time or on a per-diem basis.
About the Helena 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) | $15.79 | $126.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.47 | $155.73 |
| Median (P50) | $25.49 | $203.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.62 | $260.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.50 | $316.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Helena
Based on $25.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.49/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Helena, MT can expect to earn approximately $53,013 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,584. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Helena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Helena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,019.48 | $4,418 | $53,013 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $611.69 | $2,651 | $31,808 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $407.79 | $1,767 | $21,205 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Helena) | $25.49 |
| 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 Helena, MT earn a median of $53,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.12% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $55,331.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.49/hr = $31,808/year (purchasing power: $33,064).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,013/year (purchasing power: $55,107).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Helena grew 20.4% from $20.49/hr (2019) to $24.68/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.32/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 Helena 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 Helena
Earnings potential for part-time court reporters in Helena can be significant, especially for those working 24 hours a week. Such a schedule could yield around $29,500 annually, which pales in comparison to full-time earnings but still provides a livable wage for many. Freelance deposition reporters often command substantial fees, with per diem court reporter pay in Helena typically reaching between $400 and $800 for half-day sessions, in addition to per-page transcript fees. Realtime and CART services can earn $150 to $300 per hour, particularly when speed is essential. The variations in hourly rates across different employer types also provide opportunities for negotiation; freelance reporters can set their rates but often forego benefits, while state and federal court reporters may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits packages. It's crucial for court reporters in Helena to understand their worth and to effectively negotiate contracts, leveraging their experience and specialization in areas that command higher rates.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Helena. 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 Helena 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