Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Reading, PA: $31.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Reading, PA runs $31.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,131 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Reading's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,077 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, court reporters can expect a median hourly rate of $31.31 as of 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $35.96. This discrepancy means that part-time workers, such as those engaging in three-day weeks, might earn a more modest income even with a flexible schedule. Freelancers, often working in deposition conference rooms or providing CART services, might find themselves in a pay range that starts at $18.46 for entry-level positions and rises to $48.54 for their more experienced counterparts. Moreover, the bustling growth of court reporting in this area creates an opportunity for varied earnings in a profession dealing with both public and private sectors.
About the Reading 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) | $18.46 | $147.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.19 | $185.56 |
| Median (P50) | $31.31 | $250.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.08 | $320.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.54 | $388.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reading
Based on $31.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.31/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reading, PA can expect to earn approximately $65,128 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,574. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Reading.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reading
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,252.46 | $5,427 | $65,128 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $751.48 | $3,256 | $39,077 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.98 | $2,171 | $26,051 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Reading) | $31.31 |
| 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 Reading, PA earn a median of $65,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.91% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,056.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.31/hr = $39,077/year (purchasing power: $40,120).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,128/year (purchasing power: $66,866).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Reading grew 20.4% from $25.17/hr (2019) to $30.32/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.34/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 Reading 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 Reading
For those considering a part-time position, working just three days a week could yield around $48,000 annually, significantly less than full-time earnings, but still a viable option when balancing other commitments. Per diem court reporter pay in Reading, especially for freelance depositions, can be quite lucrative, with rates of $400-$800 for half-day shifts, alongside additional fees for transcripts. This market also sees pricing vary widely by specialization; realtime and CART captioners command higher hourly rates, driven by the rare skills needed in these areas. Official court reporters might receive more stable pay, including benefits, but some might opt for the independent route to negotiate higher hourly rates, even if that means sacrificing job security or benefits. Understanding the local market and effectively negotiating remuneration can help in securing optimal court reporter hourly pay in Reading, PA.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Reading in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Reading?
Are court reporters in Reading paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Reading?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Reading?
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 Reading. 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 Reading 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