Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Smyrna, TN: $27.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Smyrna, TN runs $27.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,829 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,695 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Smyrna, Tennessee, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $27.80, which reveals a significant gap when compared to the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This rate translates to varying opportunities for court reporters working part-time or on a per-diem basis in diverse settings such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courthouses, and CART services in educational environments. The hourly range for court reporting professionals in this area spans from $16.12 for entry-level positions to $43.09 for more experienced reporters or specialists engaging in realtime or CART services. These hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, and the market offers multiple pathways based on qualifications and specific roles within the field.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.12 | $128.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.38 | $163.00 |
| Median (P50) | $27.80 | $222.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.59 | $284.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.09 | $344.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $27.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.80/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, TN can expect to earn approximately $57,825 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,360. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,112.01 | $4,819 | $57,825 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.21 | $2,891 | $34,695 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.80 | $1,927 | $23,130 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Smyrna) | $27.80 |
| 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 Smyrna, TN earn a median of $57,829 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.68% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $57,200.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.80/hr = $34,695/year (purchasing power: $37,794).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,825/year (purchasing power: $62,990).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Smyrna grew 20.4% from $22.35/hr (2019) to $26.92/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.71/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Focusing on part-time potential, a court reporter working three days a week could realistically earn around $43,488 annually, a stark contrast to the earnings of full-time professionals. Freelance deposition reporters typically charge between $400 to $800 for half-day sessions, supplemented by per-page fees for transcripts, which can significantly increase their overall pay for busy periods. In Smyrna, hourly rates can vary widely depending on the employer type; independent court reporting firms dominate the sector, while opportunities within the official court system and federal courts offer different pay scales. Those considering employment with established agencies may exchange higher pay for benefits, reflecting a common trade-off in the profession. For effective negotiation, court reporters should emphasize their unique qualifications and specialties, particularly in realtime services, as this can help justify higher pay rates tailored to individual expertise and the evolving demands of a competitive market.
More salary data for Smyrna, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Smyrna in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Smyrna?
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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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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