Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Middletown, NY: $40.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Middletown, NY runs $40.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,780 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,264 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Court reporters in Middletown, NY, enjoy a median hourly rate of $40.28, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This competitive pay allows for substantial earnings, particularly for part-time employees or those conducting per-diem work in various settings, including state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services. The hourly pay ranges significantly across experience levels, from around $25.73 for entry-level positions to as much as $62.44 for seasoned professionals at the top of the pay scale. These hourly rates reflect the evolving demand for skilled court reporters, making Middletown a potential hub for those entering the field or seeking to expand their freelance opportunities.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.73 | $205.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.32 | $242.56 |
| Median (P50) | $40.28 | $322.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.55 | $412.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.44 | $499.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $40.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.28/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, NY can expect to earn approximately $83,773 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,330. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,611.01 | $6,981 | $83,773 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $966.61 | $4,189 | $50,264 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $644.40 | $2,792 | $33,509 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Middletown) | $40.28 |
| 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 Middletown, NY earn a median of $83,780 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.02% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 3.30% below the New York state average of $86,639.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.28/hr = $50,264/year (purchasing power: $43,368).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,773/year (purchasing power: $72,280).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Middletown grew 20.4% from $32.38/hr (2019) to $39.00/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.59/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
For those considering a part-time schedule, working three days a week as a court reporter can still yield substantial earnings. A typical part-time schedule, averaging 24 hours weekly, can translate into just under $50,000 per year, significantly lower than full-time counterparts but still competitive for many. Freelance deposition reporters in Middletown often earn between $400 and $800 for half-day sessions, with additional fees for every page of transcripts. Realtime captioning assignments command rates of $150 to $300 per hour, with rush charges increasing this further. However, the type of employer can greatly influence these rates; freelance reporters may earn less per hour than official court reporters employed by the state or federal government, who often receive benefits. Understanding the trade-offs between higher pay without benefits and steady employment with compensation packages could be crucial for new reporters. As the industry faces shortages, especially for court reporters with NCRA credentials, it may be advantageous for professionals to advocate effectively for their hourly rates during contract negotiations, particularly given the increasing competition from digital recording technologies.
More salary data for Middletown, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Middletown in 2026?
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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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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