Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Garner, NC: $32.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Garner, NC runs $32.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,154 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Garner's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,288 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garner, North Carolina, court reporters earn a median hourly rate of $32.28 as of 2026, which sits below the national median of $35.96 per hour. This rate indicates varying earning potential for part-time and per-diem court reporters, who typically work in settings such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART live event venues. The hourly pay for Garner court reporters can range from $20.10 at the entry level to as high as $50.04 for top earners, reflecting a wide disparity in experience and specialization. Additionally, hourly rates are estimated from annual salary data, emphasizing the potential for earnings based on the number of hours worked each week, whether through freelance opportunities or as part of a more traditional employment structure.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.10 | $160.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.73 | $197.87 |
| Median (P50) | $32.28 | $258.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.33 | $330.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.04 | $400.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garner
Based on $32.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.28/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garner, NC can expect to earn approximately $67,147 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,739. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,291.29 | $5,596 | $67,147 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $774.77 | $3,357 | $40,288 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $516.52 | $2,238 | $26,859 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Garner) | $32.28 |
| 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 Garner, NC earn a median of $67,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.21% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $70,025.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.28/hr = $40,288/year (purchasing power: $43,043).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,147/year (purchasing power: $71,738).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Garner grew 20.4% from $25.96/hr (2019) to $31.26/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.34/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 Garner 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 Garner
For part-time court reporters working three days a week, earning potential can vary significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. A 24-hour workweek translates to an annual take-home pay reflecting only $33,265, which can make it challenging for those relying solely on this income. The reality for per-diem court reporters in Garner can be lucrative, with deposition earnings averaging between $400-$800 per half-day, plus per-page fees for transcripts, while realtime CART services command rates of $150-$300 per hour. Freelance court reporters often choose their earnings and scheduling, negotiating rates that differ by employer type, whether they work independently or as state or federal employees. The choice between securing lower hourly rates for health benefits versus higher pay with no perks is a constant balancing act. Court reporters should be prepared to negotiate effectively, emphasizing their qualifications and experience in order to maximize their hourly earnings in Garner, NC.
More salary data for Garner, NC:
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 Garner. 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 Garner 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