Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $49.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Buffalo, NY runs $49.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,878 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,734 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, court reporters in Buffalo, NY, will earn a median hourly pay of $49.47, significantly higher than the national average of $35.96 per hour. This competitive rate opens various possibilities for professionals in the field, especially for part-time and per-diem workers who thrive in environments like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART services. Entry-level court reporters can expect to start at around $25.80 per hour, while seasoned professionals may command as much as $65.75 per hour, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. The flexibility of hourly work arrangements is appealing for those seeking to balance this career with other commitments, allowing them to effectively manage their schedules while benefiting from Buffalo’s relatively low cost of living index.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.80 | $206.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.64 | $293.12 |
| Median (P50) | $49.47 | $395.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.30 | $474.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.75 | $526.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $49.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.47/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $102,890 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,360. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,978.65 | $8,574 | $102,890 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,187.19 | $5,144 | $61,734 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.46 | $3,430 | $41,156 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Buffalo) | $49.47 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $102,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.56% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 18.70% above the New York state average of $86,670.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.47/hr = $61,734/year (purchasing power: $64,411).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,890/year (purchasing power: $107,351).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Buffalo grew 21.5% from $39.44/hr (2019) to $47.90/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.08/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
For those considering part-time work, a court reporter working three days a week can anticipate an annual income that varies significantly compared to full-time counterparts, depending on hours worked and additional engagements. Many freelance deposition reporters charge between $400 and $800 for half-day sessions, with additional per-page fees for transcripts. Real-time captioners and CART providers often receive $150 to $300 per hour, which may fluctuate based on event types or urgency. Employers also influence hourly rates, with independent court reporters frequently booking through firms such as Veritext or US Legal Support, while those employed by the state or federal court systems may have more stable but potentially lower pay. While some may opt for lower wages in exchange for health insurance benefits, entrepreneurial types might favor higher hourly rates without benefits. Understanding the regional market dynamics and effective negotiation strategies can greatly enhance earning potential for court reporters in this evolving field.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 Buffalo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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