Court Reporter Hourly Pay in New Bern, NC: $33.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in New Bern, NC runs $33.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,649 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against New Bern's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,190 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bern, North Carolina, court reporters earn a median hourly rate of $33.01, which is slightly below the national median of $35.96. This hourly pay is significant for freelancers and part-time workers, particularly those in various settings like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and CART services for live events. For a 3-day workweek, such court reporters can expect to earn approximately $528 weekly, translating into a flexible income depending on how many projects they take on. With a range spanning from $19.16 at entry-level positions to $51.16 for top earners, this compensation reflects the dynamic work environment of court reporting in New Bern, where demand for qualified stenographers persists.
About the New Bern 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) | $19.16 | $153.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.15 | $193.24 |
| Median (P50) | $33.01 | $264.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.25 | $337.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.16 | $409.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Bern
Based on $33.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.01/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Bern, NC can expect to earn approximately $68,651 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,606. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Bern.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Bern
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,320.20 | $5,721 | $68,651 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $792.12 | $3,433 | $41,190 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $528.08 | $2,288 | $27,460 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (New Bern) | $33.01 |
| 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 New Bern, NC earn a median of $68,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.21% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $69,978.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.01/hr = $41,190/year (purchasing power: $44,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,651/year (purchasing power: $73,345).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in New Bern grew 20.4% from $26.54/hr (2019) to $31.96/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.08/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 New Bern 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 New Bern
Part-time court reporters in New Bern can see varying financial outcomes compared to their full-time counterparts. Working just three days a week, one could potentially bring in annual earnings around $27,456, illustrating a stark contrast to the income of full-time professionals. For those opting for per-diem court reporter pay, rates can vary widely; freelance deposition reporters might charge anywhere from $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, alongside transcript fees charged per page. Official court reporters employed by the state or federal government receive wages that generally align with the local market while enjoying job stability and benefits. Conversely, those in freelance roles might sacrifice health coverage for higher pay rates. Negotiation remains key, especially when considering specialized skills like realtime or CART services, which can command premium pay. Thus, court reporters in New Bern must strategically balance income opportunities against the security of traditional employment.
More salary data for New Bern, 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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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