Court Reporter Hourly Pay in North Charleston, SC: $33.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in North Charleston, SC runs $33.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,589 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against North Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,350 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, court reporters in North Charleston, SC, can expect a median hourly pay of $33.93, which is slightly below the national average of $35.96. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this rate can translate into a steady income while maintaining flexibility. Many court reporters operate in diverse environments like deposition conference rooms, federal and state courtrooms, and live-captioning events, allowing for various working conditions. The hourly pay range for court reporters in the area spans from $19.68 at the lower end to $52.61 for top earners, indicating the significant earning potential that exists with experience and specialization in fields like realtime transcription. As the profession faces a chronic shortage of qualified reporters, leveraging skills can be crucial for maximizing earnings in this competitive market.
About the North 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) | $19.68 | $157.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.92 | $207.37 |
| Median (P50) | $33.93 | $271.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.44 | $347.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.61 | $420.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Charleston
Based on $33.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.93/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $70,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,721. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,357.38 | $5,882 | $70,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $814.43 | $3,529 | $42,350 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $542.95 | $2,353 | $28,234 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (North Charleston) | $33.93 |
| 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 North Charleston, SC earn a median of $70,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.61% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $68,400.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.93/hr = $42,350/year (purchasing power: $46,284).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,584/year (purchasing power: $77,141).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in North Charleston grew 20.4% from $27.28/hr (2019) to $32.86/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.04/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 North 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 North Charleston
The earning potential for part-time court reporters can paint a different picture compared to full-time work. A court reporter working 24 hours a week could take home around $42,000 annually, illustrating the financial viability of part-time schedules. Freelance and per-diem reporters often enjoy the highest pay rates, charging between $400 to $800 per half-day deposition along with per-page transcript fees. Realtime captioning, including CART services, typically commands rates of $150 to $300 per hour. Different employer types affect hourly wages, with independent reporting firms often paying competitively, although official court reporters within the state system might sacrifice higher earnings for benefits such as health insurance. Navigating your worth in North Charleston’s court reporter market can involve strategic negotiation; being aware of local demand and the industry's unique realities can help you secure a favorable hourly rate while balancing the trade-offs between benefits and higher pay.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in North Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in North Charleston?
Are court reporters in North Charleston paid hourly or salary?
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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 North 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 North 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