Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $64.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Austin, TX runs $64.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,005 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,002 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, Texas, court reporters enjoy a median hourly pay of $64.91, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $35.96. This competitive rate reflects the growing demand for court reporters in various settings, including state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART services for live events. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to a commendable wage that allows for a flexible lifestyle while contributing to the ever-demanding court reporting field. Comparable pay ranges for court reporters in the area stretch from $32.97 at the lower end, suited for entry-level positions, to $71.21 for top earners who may command higher fees through specialized services like realtime transcription or freelance work. These figures stem from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, anticipated to offer insights into the evolving pay structure in 2026.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.97 | $263.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.28 | $418.20 |
| Median (P50) | $64.91 | $519.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65.01 | $520.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.21 | $569.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $64.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.91/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $135,003 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,886. With a cost-of-living index of 98.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,596.21 | $11,250 | $135,003 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,557.72 | $6,750 | $81,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,038.48 | $4,500 | $54,001 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Austin) | $64.91 |
| 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 Austin, TX earn a median of $135,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 80.52% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 4.60% above the Texas state average of $129,068.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.91/hr = $81,002/year (purchasing power: $82,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,003/year (purchasing power: $137,665).
CoL index: 98.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Austin grew 48.4% from $42.36/hr (2019) to $62.85/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $67.03/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 Austin 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 Austin
Expanding on the earning potential for part-time court reporters in Austin, a professional working 24 hours a week could take home a substantial income, significantly more than the broader market would suggest. With per diem court reporter pay in Austin typically ranging from $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, and rates for realtime CART captioning hitting $150 to $300 per hour, many are drawn to flexible work arrangements that can enhance their financial prospects. Court reporters employed by agencies or working independently often enjoy varying hourly rates determined by their employer type, with freelance transcription through firms like Veritext or US Legal Support offering competitive compensation. While some court reporters may prioritize higher hourly pay over the stability of health insurance benefits, the choice ultimately depends on one’s career goals and financial situation. Negotiating hourly contracts often requires a keen understanding of the local market and prevailing rates, helping professionals maximize their earning potential in a city where the demand for qualified court reporters continues to rise amid a workforce shortage.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Austin in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Austin?
Are court reporters in Austin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Austin?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Austin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Austin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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