Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $31.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Wilkes-Barre, PA runs $31.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,011 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Wilkes-Barre's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,012 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the court reporter hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $31.26 in 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly wage of $35.96. This rate is crucial for part-time and per-diem workers in various settings like depositions, court proceedings, and event captioning. For those working part-time at a typical schedule of three days per week, this hourly pay presents a solid income potential. Entry-level court reporters can earn around $18.19 per hour, while the top earners may make as much as $48.44 per hour. Such figures illustrate the diverse earning potential available in court reporting, attributed to factors like experience, client base, and specific practice areas, as hourly rates are informed by the overall annual salary data.
About the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $18.19 | $145.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.01 | $184.07 |
| Median (P50) | $31.26 | $250.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.01 | $320.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.44 | $387.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilkes-Barre
Based on $31.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.26/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilkes-Barre, PA can expect to earn approximately $65,020 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,512. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilkes-Barre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilkes-Barre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,250.39 | $5,418 | $65,020 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $750.24 | $3,251 | $39,012 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.16 | $2,167 | $26,008 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Wilkes-Barre) | $31.26 |
| 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $65,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $66,068.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.26/hr = $39,012/year (purchasing power: $40,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,020/year (purchasing power: $66,756).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Wilkes-Barre grew 20.4% from $25.13/hr (2019) to $30.27/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.28/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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
Considering the earnings potential, a court reporter working part-time—let’s say for 24 hours weekly—might bring home an annual income reflecting their hourly rate, contrasting sharply with full-time colleagues. Court reporters in Wilkes-Barre engaged in per-diem work often enjoy lucrative rates; freelancers can command fees ranging from $400 to $800 for a half-day deposition, along with additional per-page transcript fees. Those specializing in realtime or CART captioning can earn between $150 and $300 per hour, with premium rates for expedited transcript services. Moreover, hourly pay varies significantly across different employer types, encompassing freelance reporters, officials in state and federal courts, and those catering to communication access needs. Many court reporters must balance the choice between lower hourly rates with benefits like health insurance versus higher pay without these perks. For negotiation, emphasizing experience and specialization, particularly in niche areas like realtime reporting, can enhance one’s hourly wage.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Wilkes-Barre in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Wilkes-Barre?
Are court reporters in Wilkes-Barre paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Wilkes-Barre?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Wilkes-Barre?
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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 Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre 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