Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $30.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Lancaster, PA runs $30.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,462 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,677 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, court reporters can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $30.99, which positions them on the lower end compared to the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This discrepancy signifies the potential for part-time and per-diem court reporters to earn a competitive wage, especially when working flexible schedules across various settings like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even remote CART live event venues. The hourly pay ranges significantly, from approximately $18.67 for entry-level positions up to about $48.04 for the highest earners. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, reflect the financial landscape that court reporters in Lancaster navigate as they pursue diverse work opportunities in a profession that’s critical yet has room for growth.
About the Lancaster 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) | $18.67 | $149.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.57 | $180.60 |
| Median (P50) | $30.99 | $247.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.67 | $317.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.04 | $384.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $30.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.99/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $64,462 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,190. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,239.65 | $5,372 | $64,462 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $743.79 | $3,223 | $38,677 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.86 | $2,149 | $25,785 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Lancaster) | $30.99 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $64,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.81% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,047.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.99/hr = $38,677/year (purchasing power: $39,710).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,462/year (purchasing power: $66,183).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Lancaster grew 20.4% from $24.92/hr (2019) to $30.01/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.00/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Part-time court reporters working three days a week, clocking in roughly 24 hours, can anticipate a modest annual income, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Specifically, those earning a higher hourly wage may opt for agency or freelance roles, where they typically see varied rates depending on their specialty. For example, per diem court reporters often make between $400 and $800 per half-day deposition, in addition to per-page transcript fees. Meanwhile, engaging in realtime or CART live captioning can yield hourly earnings ranging from $150 to $300, particularly when urgency is a factor. While professional flexibility is a key attraction, many may find that higher hourly rates without benefits can lead to challenges, particularly regarding health insurance. In Lancaster, independent court reporters can further maximize their earnings through strategic negotiations, especially when tapping into organizations like Veritext or Esquire, where the demand for stenographic services is gradually rising against a backdrop of digital recording technologies.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Lancaster 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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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