Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $34.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Lincoln, NE runs $34.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,209 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,724 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Lincoln, Nebraska, earn a median hourly pay of $34.23, slightly lower than the national median of $35.96. This pay scale provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time professionals in the field. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to about $1,637 weekly, positioning them within a competitive hourly range of $19.86 at the lower end and $53.06 for those with extensive experience and specialty certifications. Court reporters may find employment opportunities in various settings, including deposition conference rooms, state and federal courthouses, and live event venues, allowing them to adapt their schedules or work on a per-diem basis.
About the Lincoln Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.86 | $158.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.65 | $197.20 |
| Median (P50) | $34.23 | $273.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.82 | $350.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.06 | $424.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $34.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.23/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $71,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,081. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,369.36 | $5,934 | $71,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $821.62 | $3,560 | $42,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.74 | $2,374 | $28,483 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Lincoln) | $34.23 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $71,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.79% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.10% above the Nebraska state average of $68,404.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.23/hr = $42,724/year (purchasing power: $46,693).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,207/year (purchasing power: $77,822).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Lincoln grew 20.4% from $27.52/hr (2019) to $33.15/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.35/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Analyzing the dynamics of court reporter hourly pay in Lincoln reveals interesting earning potentials, particularly for part-time professionals. A court reporter working three days a week could take home approximately $83,185 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart who typically earns higher due to additional hours. Per diem court reporters often earn between $400-$800 for half-day depositions and can charge $150-$300 per hour for CART or realtime services, which highlights significant earning potential based on specialization. Furthermore, hourly rates can vary considerably across different employment venues; freelance reporters generally earn more than those employed by the state or federal court systems, though the latter often provide benefits that attract reporters seeking stability. When negotiating pay, court reporters in Lincoln can emphasize their skills and specialization to secure favorable rates while weighing the benefits of having health insurance against the higher hourly pay that comes with freelance positions.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Lincoln?
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How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Lincoln?
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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 Lincoln. 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 Lincoln 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