Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Dickinson, ND: $32.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Dickinson, ND runs $32.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,277 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Dickinson's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,366 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Dickinson, North Dakota, court reporters can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $32.34. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly pay of $35.96, reflecting regional economic conditions and the local cost of living index, which sits at 92. For court reporters working part-time, such as those operating three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a comfortable income that can make per-diem positions attractive across various settings, including deposition conference rooms or courtroom environments. The hourly pay range in Dickinson spans from $18.76 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $50.14 for more experienced reporters, reinforcing the potential for lucrative earnings in specialized roles such as realtime captioning or freelance positions.
About the Dickinson 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) | $18.76 | $150.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.56 | $188.45 |
| Median (P50) | $32.34 | $258.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.40 | $331.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.14 | $401.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dickinson
Based on $32.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.34/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dickinson, ND can expect to earn approximately $67,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,813. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dickinson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dickinson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,293.77 | $5,606 | $67,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $776.26 | $3,364 | $40,366 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.51 | $2,243 | $26,910 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Dickinson) | $32.34 |
| 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 Dickinson, ND earn a median of $67,277 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $68,791.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.34/hr = $40,366/year (purchasing power: $43,876).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,276/year (purchasing power: $73,126).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Dickinson grew 20.4% from $26.00/hr (2019) to $31.32/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.40/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 Dickinson 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 Dickinson
Part-time court reporters working 24 hours a week may find their annual earnings differ significantly from those of their full-time counterparts, allowing for flexible work schedules while still generating a solid income. Per-diem court reporter pay in Dickinson can be particularly lucrative, with freelance deposition reporters often earning $400-$800 for half-day assignments plus additional per-page fees for transcripts. Given the rapid growth of CART services, rates can reach $150-$300 per hour for realtime captioning, highlighting a competitive edge for specialized skills. Hourly rates also vary depending on the employer type, such as independent reporting firms versus official court positions in the state or federal system. While some court reporters in Dickinson may trade lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer freelance work for greater flexibility and potentially higher rates, especially during negotiations where highlighting the unique demands of regional court assignments may lead to better pay.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Dickinson in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Dickinson?
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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 Dickinson. 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 Dickinson 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