Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $32.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Cleveland, OH runs $32.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,385 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,036 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Court reporters in Cleveland, OH, receive a median hourly pay of $32.88, which is slightly lower than the national median of $35.96. For part-time court reporters working three days a week, this translates to a feasible income, particularly for those engaged in freelance deposition work, state and federal court assignments, broadcast captioning, or providing CART services in educational settings. The hourly range for court reporters in this region spans from $23.99 for entry-level positions to $46.98 for top earners. This BLS data reflects trends in the profession and indicates a stable environment for both seasoned professionals and those just starting their careers.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.99 | $191.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.44 | $235.54 |
| Median (P50) | $32.88 | $263.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.83 | $374.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.98 | $375.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $32.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.88/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $68,393 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,457. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,315.25 | $5,699 | $68,393 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $789.15 | $3,420 | $41,036 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $526.10 | $2,280 | $27,357 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Cleveland) | $32.88 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $68,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.56% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% above the Ohio state average of $67,843.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.88/hr = $41,036/year (purchasing power: $43,691).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,393/year (purchasing power: $72,818).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Cleveland grew 59.4% from $19.97/hr (2019) to $31.84/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.96/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
For those considering part-time positions, working as a court reporter three days a week may yield a modest yet stable income, translating to approximately $51,000 annually, compared to the full-time average earnings. Moreover, freelance court reporters often find substantial opportunities, with per-diem pay averaging $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, in addition to fees for transcripts. The diverse nature of employment in Cleveland—ranging from independent reporting to official positions in the state or federal systems—means that hourly pay can vary significantly based on the employer type. Court reporters specializing in realtime or CART services typically command higher rates, which can be critical given the increasing competition from digital recording technologies. Many reporters must decide between pursuing positions that offer health benefits with lower hourly rates versus independent contracts with higher pay but without added protections. Negotiating for better per diem court reporter pay in Cleveland requires understanding the specific demands of each job and showcasing one's qualifications effectively, particularly for those holding RPR or other NCRA credentials.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 Cleveland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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