Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, NH: $30.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Portsmouth, NH runs $30.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,219 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,930 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, court reporters are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $30.39 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $35.96. This disparity can have a significant impact on part-time professionals and per-diem workers, who may find themselves earning this rate while working in varied environments such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and live event venues. For those working as independent contractors or freelancers, the hourly range can fluctuate considerably from $18.67 at entry-level positions to as high as $47.11 for seasoned experts. The dynamics of hourly pay in this field reflect the overall demand for skilled stenographers, especially as the market adjusts to the growing competition from digital recording technologies.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.67 | $149.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.97 | $183.74 |
| Median (P50) | $30.39 | $243.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.90 | $311.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.11 | $376.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $30.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.39/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, NH can expect to earn approximately $63,216 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,471. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,215.69 | $5,268 | $63,216 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.42 | $3,161 | $37,930 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.28 | $2,107 | $25,286 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Portsmouth) | $30.39 |
| 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 Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $63,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.47% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $65,853.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.39/hr = $37,930/year (purchasing power: $35,349).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,216/year (purchasing power: $58,915).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Portsmouth grew 20.4% from $24.44/hr (2019) to $29.43/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.39/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
When examining the earning potential for part-time court reporters in Portsmouth, working three days a week can offer around 24 hours of work per week, translating to a substantial difference in income when compared to full-time roles. For instance, per-diem court reporters in this region often charge fees vastly exceeding the standard hourly rate, earning anywhere from $400 to $800 for half-day depositions and command rates of $150 to $300 for realtime captioning services. Furthermore, those who are part of agency work may face varied hourly rates based on the employer's capacity to offer benefits. This trade-off can make freelance work appealing for those seeking flexibility, while full-time positions might include health insurance and other perks for potentially lower hourly compensation. For the best negotiation success in Portsmouth, understanding the market, showcasing real-time and CART skills, and being aware of the competitive landscape are essential for any court reporter aiming to secure favorable hourly pay.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Portsmouth in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Portsmouth?
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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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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