Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Long Branch, NJ: $37.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Long Branch, NJ runs $37.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Long Branch's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,616 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Long Branch, New Jersey, court reporters can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $37.35, which is slightly above the national median of $35.96. This competitive pay provides solid financial opportunities for both part-time and per-diem court reporters, particularly those working in diverse settings such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even broadcast captioning home studios. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the earnings can still be substantial given the flexible work structure common in this field, with entry-level reporters starting at an hourly rate of $21.67 and top earners able to make as much as $57.89 per hour. These projections for 2026 reflect solid earning potential based on BLS estimates derived from 2025 data.
About the Long Branch Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.67 | $173.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.10 | $216.78 |
| Median (P50) | $37.35 | $298.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.80 | $382.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.89 | $463.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Long Branch
Based on $37.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.35/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Long Branch, NJ can expect to earn approximately $77,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,823. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Long Branch.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Long Branch
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,494.11 | $6,474 | $77,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $896.47 | $3,885 | $46,616 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.64 | $2,590 | $31,077 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Long Branch) | $37.35 |
| 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 Long Branch, NJ earn a median of $77,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.88% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 2.40% below the New Jersey state average of $79,597.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.35/hr = $46,616/year (purchasing power: $40,465).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,694/year (purchasing power: $67,442).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Long Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Long Branch grew 20.4% from $30.03/hr (2019) to $36.17/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.57/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 Long Branch 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 Long Branch
Considering the earning landscape, a part-time court reporter who works 24 hours a week will have a significant but varied annual income, particularly when compared to full-time positions. Freelancers often thrive on per-diem contracts, where a half-day deposition can yield between $400 and $800, plus additional fees for transcripts. For realtime and CART captioning roles, hourly wages can reach $150 to $300, illustrating the potential for greater earnings depending on specialization. Court reporters in Long Branch may find different pay scales across various employment types—freelance positions often provide greater flexibility, while official court reporters might enjoy benefits like health insurance but at a lower hourly rate. Negotiating pay in this vibrant legal market often hinges on the unique skills and experience a reporter brings, especially for those who hold NCRA certifications such as RPR or CRR, and specialize in high-demand areas like realtime captioning.
More salary data for Long Branch, NJ:
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 Long Branch. 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 Long Branch 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