Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Trenton, NJ: $37.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Trenton, NJ runs $37.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,286 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Trenton's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,977 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Trenton, New Jersey, earn a median hourly rate of $37.64, which is above the national hourly median of $35.96 for the profession. This rate reflects the diverse opportunities available in the field, ranging from freelance positions in deposition conference rooms to roles in state and federal courtrooms, as well as broadcast captioning and CART services for live events. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the flexibility offered by the hourly pay can be appealing, allowing them to balance work with other commitments. However, the pay range in Trenton is notable, with entry-level reporters starting at around $23.12 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach as high as $58.34 per hour, showcasing the potential for growth and financial reward within the profession.
About the Trenton 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) | $23.12 | $184.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.59 | $228.68 |
| Median (P50) | $37.64 | $301.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.18 | $385.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.34 | $466.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Trenton
Based on $37.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.64/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Trenton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $78,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,170. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Trenton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Trenton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,505.68 | $6,525 | $78,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $903.41 | $3,915 | $46,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $602.27 | $2,610 | $31,318 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Trenton) | $37.64 |
| 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 Trenton, NJ earn a median of $78,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.68% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.70% below the New Jersey state average of $79,640.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.64/hr = $46,977/year (purchasing power: $40,779).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,295/year (purchasing power: $67,965).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Trenton grew 20.4% from $30.26/hr (2019) to $36.45/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.87/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 Trenton 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 Trenton
For part-time court reporters who typically work 24 hours a week, translating hourly earnings into annual income reveals significant differences in financial outcomes compared to full-time positions. Many freelance deposition reporters earn between $400 and $800 for half-day appearances, in addition to charging per-page transcript fees, which can further enhance their income. In Trenton, the variation in hourly rates can also be attributed to the type of employment—freelance reporters may earn less in hourly compensation compared to official court reporters in the state system, who receive health benefits, while independent contractors can command higher rates without additional perks. For professionals working in specialized areas such as realtime captioning or CART, hourly rates can exceed $150 to $300, especially for time-sensitive requests like rush transcripts. Therefore, court reporters need to be astute negotiators, understanding their value in the market and the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits when considering different employment options in Trenton, NJ.
More salary data for Trenton, 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 Trenton. 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 Trenton 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