Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bismarck, ND: $32.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bismarck, ND runs $32.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,819 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bismarck's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,688 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, the court reporter hourly pay sits at a median rate of $32.60, which reflects a slight difference compared to the national hourly median of $35.96. This rate can significantly influence both part-time and per-diem reports, especially in environments like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and live event venues. For freelance workers, primarily focused on depositions or CART services, hourly rates can range from $20.13 for entry-level positions to $50.54 for experienced professionals. Such hourly estimates stem from a larger analysis of annual salaries, shedding light on the broader context of court reporting compensation and the increasing demand for skilled stenographers in Bismarck.
About the Bismarck Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.13 | $161.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.86 | $198.86 |
| Median (P50) | $32.60 | $260.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.73 | $333.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.54 | $404.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bismarck
Based on $32.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.60/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bismarck, ND can expect to earn approximately $67,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,123. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bismarck.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bismarck
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,304.09 | $5,651 | $67,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $782.46 | $3,391 | $40,688 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.64 | $2,260 | $27,125 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bismarck) | $32.60 |
| 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 Bismarck, ND earn a median of $67,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.32% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.40% below the North Dakota state average of $68,782.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.60/hr = $40,688/year (purchasing power: $44,226).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,813/year (purchasing power: $73,710).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bismarck grew 20.4% from $26.21/hr (2019) to $31.57/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.67/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 Bismarck 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 Bismarck
For those considering part-time work as court reporters, the earning potential becomes clearer when analyzing a typical part-time schedule. A 24-hour work week could yield substantial income, especially as per-diem or agency reporters often command impressive fees. Freelance deposition reporters can earn between $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, not to mention the added income from per-page transcript fees. Opportunities vary by employer type, influencing pay scales significantly. Independent contractors may accept lower hourly pay for flexible schedules, whereas official court reporters, employed by government agencies, typically have more stable earnings but might sacrifice that flexibility. When negotiating, court reporters in Bismarck should consider their desired work-life balance versus benefits packages, as some roles come with health insurance that could be worth a lower hourly rate.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Bismarck in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Bismarck?
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Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Bismarck?
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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 Bismarck. 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 Bismarck 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