Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Altoona, PA: $30.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Altoona, PA runs $30.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,575 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Altoona's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,149 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Altoona, Pennsylvania, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $30.57 in 2026, which stands below the national hourly median of $35.96. This rate has significant implications for those working part-time, such as those taking on assignments three days a week, or for freelancers who typically operate in environments like deposition conference rooms or courtrooms. With an hourly pay range extending from $19.28 for entry-level positions up to $47.38 for experienced reporters, Altoona offers diverse earning potential. This variances reflect a broader spectrum that impacts both the typical weekly income and the types of shifts and engagements reporters might take, including per-diem work and reliance on short-term contracts in educational settings or live events.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.28 | $154.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.85 | $182.83 |
| Median (P50) | $30.57 | $244.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.12 | $312.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.38 | $379.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altoona
Based on $30.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.57/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altoona, PA can expect to earn approximately $63,581 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,682. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altoona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altoona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,222.72 | $5,298 | $63,581 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $733.63 | $3,179 | $38,149 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.09 | $2,119 | $25,433 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Altoona) | $30.57 |
| 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 Altoona, PA earn a median of $63,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.99% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,086.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.57/hr = $38,149/year (purchasing power: $39,167).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,581/year (purchasing power: $65,279).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Altoona grew 20.4% from $24.58/hr (2019) to $29.60/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.57/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 Altoona 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 Altoona
Considering part-time court report options, a professional working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $38,099 annually, compared to those in full-time roles. Freelance deposition reporters often see substantial earning potential, charging anywhere from $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, plus additional fees for transcript pages. Among various employer types in Altoona, differences in hourly pay become evident, especially with independent reporters booking through agencies like Veritext or US Legal Support, against those employed in state or federal systems. Some court reporters may prioritize job security and health benefits when accepting lower hourly wages, while others might pursue higher pay rates that lack benefits. Negotiating effectively in Altoona requires understanding the local market dynamics, leveraging one’s credentials, and recognizing the demand for specialized services like realtime and CART, which can command substantially higher pay scales.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Altoona in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Altoona?
Are court reporters in Altoona paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Altoona?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Altoona?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Altoona. 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 Altoona 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