Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Los Lunas, NM: $25.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Los Lunas, NM runs $25.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,367 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Los Lunas's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,014 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Los Lunas, NM, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median of $25.65, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.96. This hourly rate accommodates both full-time and part-time court reporters, where those working three days a week in diverse environments like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART services may find the flexibility appealing. For newer court reporters entering the field, the hourly range starts around $16.57, while seasoned professionals can earn up to a striking $39.77. This variability reflects the wider industry trend, with hourly estimates derived from projected annual salary data that captures the nuances of the profession across different employment settings.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.57 | $132.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.95 | $159.61 |
| Median (P50) | $25.65 | $205.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.84 | $262.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.77 | $318.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Lunas
Based on $25.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.65/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Lunas, NM can expect to earn approximately $53,357 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,783. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Lunas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Lunas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,026.09 | $4,446 | $53,357 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $615.65 | $2,668 | $32,014 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $410.44 | $1,779 | $21,343 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Los Lunas) | $25.65 |
| 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 Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $53,367 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.64% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $57,445.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.65/hr = $32,014/year (purchasing power: $33,913).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,357/year (purchasing power: $56,522).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Los Lunas grew 20.4% from $20.62/hr (2019) to $24.84/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.49/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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
When assessing the financial landscape for court reporters, part-time professionals can expect substantial earnings even in a limited schedule, with an annual take-home around $52,110 if working 24 hours weekly. Freelance deposition court reporters can command impressive per diem rates, often ranging from $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, alongside additional transcript fees. The establishment of varied employer types in Los Lunas—such as freelance firms and official court positions—creates a scenario where hourly rates differ widely. Notably, many court reporters face a critical decision regarding pay versus benefits; full-time roles may offer stability but lower hourly pay, while freelance opportunities provide flexibility and higher pay rates. Negotiation strategies should be tailored to underscore one’s qualifications, especially in a market where the demand for skilled stenographic reporters continues to grow, underscored by a significant shortage, as noted by the NCRA. In this environment, reported Carter specialties earn the most, emphasizing the potential financial rewards for enhancing expertise in realtime and CART translation services.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Los Lunas in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Los Lunas?
Are court reporters in Los Lunas paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Los Lunas?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Los Lunas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 Los Lunas. 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 Los Lunas 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