Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $33.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Wilmington, NC runs $33.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,970 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,977 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Wilmington, NC, can expect an hourly median pay of $33.64 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $35.96. This hourly rate accommodates various work settings, including freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even CART services in university classrooms. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or as per-diem workers, this rate translates to a meaningful income, especially for those who manage their schedules to fit such opportunities. Entry-level court reporters typically start at an hourly rate of $20.08, while experienced professionals in the top 10% can earn as much as $52.14. With the local cost of living index at 93.6, these earnings provide a competitive payout that can support a comfortable lifestyle while reflecting the ongoing demand for skilled court reporters.
About the Wilmington 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) | $20.08 | $160.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.16 | $201.25 |
| Median (P50) | $33.64 | $269.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.05 | $344.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.14 | $417.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $33.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.64/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $69,961 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,362. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,345.40 | $5,830 | $69,961 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $807.24 | $3,498 | $41,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $538.16 | $2,332 | $27,984 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Wilmington) | $33.64 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $69,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.44% lower than the national median of $74,788.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.64/hr = $41,977/year (purchasing power: $44,847).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,961/year (purchasing power: $74,745).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Wilmington grew 20.4% from $27.04/hr (2019) to $32.57/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.73/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Considering part-time options, a court reporter in Wilmington working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn around $38,700 annually. In freelance deposition reporting, earnings can soar, with rates ranging from $400 to $800 for a half-day deposition, plus additional fees for transcripts. Realtime captioners or CART providers often command rates between $150 and $300 per hour, making these specialties some of the highest-paid in the field. Additionally, official court reporters employed by the state or federal courts may have slightly lower hourly rates but typically receive benefits like health insurance. This trade-off is often a significant consideration for many in the profession. Optimizing earnings in Wilmington may involve negotiating hourly rates based on experience and specialty, especially when balancing between the attractively high freelance rates and the stability found in public sector positions.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Wilmington 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 Wilmington. 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 Wilmington 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