Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $33.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Charleston, SC runs $33.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,616 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,376 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Charleston, SC, currently earn a median hourly pay of $33.96, which falls slightly below the national median of $35.96. This hourly rate is meaningful for professionals considering part-time work, such as those taking jobs three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules while earning substantial income in various settings like deposition conference rooms or state and federal courtrooms. Entry-level court reporters make around $19.69 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $52.63, indicating a wide range of earning possibilities depending on experience and job type. With an industry projected growth rate of 3.27% annually, those pursuing a career in court reporting will find a steady demand for their skills and services, particularly as the workforce faces a significant shortage.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.69 | $157.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.66 | $197.29 |
| Median (P50) | $33.96 | $271.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.46 | $347.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.63 | $421.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $33.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.96/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $70,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,746. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,358.21 | $5,886 | $70,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $814.92 | $3,531 | $42,376 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $543.28 | $2,354 | $28,251 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Charleston) | $33.96 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $70,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.58% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $68,426.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.96/hr = $42,376/year (purchasing power: $46,313).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,627/year (purchasing power: $77,188).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Charleston grew 20.4% from $27.30/hr (2019) to $32.88/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.07/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Evaluating the economic reality for court reporters in the Charleston area reveals interesting insights into income potential. A part-time reporter working 24 hours weekly could expect to take home about $42,084 annually, a noticeable amount compared to full-time earnings. Furthermore, per-diem court reporters often work as freelancers, raking in impressive fees of $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, supplemented by per-page transcript charges that can substantially boost income. Employers range from independent court reporting firms to state and federal courts, each providing distinct pay structures. For example, official court reporters might offer stability with benefits, while freelance roles allow for higher hourly compensation but without such perks. Negotiating the best terms is crucial; reporters should be well-prepared to discuss their qualifications to secure favorable agreements reflective of the court reporter hourly rate in SC, particularly for those specializing in realtime or CART services.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Charleston?
Are court reporters in Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Charleston?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Charleston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Charleston. 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 Charleston 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