Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $42.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Rochester, NY runs $42.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,090 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,854 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Rochester, NY, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $42.35 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $35.96. This rate offers attractive compensation, particularly for part-time professionals working three days a week in various settings such as deposition conference rooms, state courtrooms, and CART services. In these roles, a court reporter’s pay ranges from $24.57 for entry-level positions to $65.65 for the highest earners, highlighting the potential for growth in this field. These hourly estimates reflect the burgeoning demand for court reporters amidst a noted national shortage, as reported by the NCRA.
About the Rochester 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) | $24.57 | $196.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.06 | $248.51 |
| Median (P50) | $42.35 | $338.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.21 | $433.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.65 | $525.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $42.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.35/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $88,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,821. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,694.04 | $7,341 | $88,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,016.42 | $4,405 | $52,854 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.62 | $2,936 | $35,236 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Rochester) | $42.35 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $88,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.79% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.60% above the New York state average of $86,703.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.35/hr = $52,854/year (purchasing power: $45,603).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,090/year (purchasing power: $76,005).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Rochester grew 10.7% from $37.05/hr (2019) to $41.01/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.74/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
For those considering part-time work, a court reporter in Rochester operating three days a week could see a comfortable income while balancing other commitments. Those accepting per diem or freelance assignments can enhance their earnings further; experienced deposition reporters frequently earn between $400 and $800 for a half-day session, along with additional fees for transcript pages. Employers vary widely from independent reporting firms to official court systems, and each setting reflects different compensation structures. While some may opt for the security of full-time roles with benefits, others might prioritize higher hourly wages in freelance positions. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for negotiation, especially in a competitive market where the demand for skilled stenographers continues to grow, while digital recording solutions pose ongoing challenges.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Rochester 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 Rochester. 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 Rochester 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