Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Weslaco, TX: $60.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Weslaco, TX runs $60.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $125,445 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Weslaco's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,266 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Weslaco, Texas, the projected median hourly pay for court reporters in 2026 is set at $60.31, significantly higher than the national median of $35.96. This robust hourly wage opens up diverse opportunities for those considering part-time or per-diem work. For instance, a court reporter working three days a week might enjoy a steady income while balancing personal commitments. Freelance depositionists typically find themselves in various settings, including deposition conference rooms and federal courtrooms, where flexible working hours are a common feature. Entry-level court reporters can expect to earn around $34.98 an hour, while seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $93.48, thereby reflecting the breadth of earning potential within this craft in Weslaco.
About the Weslaco Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.98 | $279.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.17 | $377.39 |
| Median (P50) | $60.31 | $482.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77.19 | $617.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.48 | $747.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Weslaco
Based on $60.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.31/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Weslaco, TX can expect to earn approximately $125,444 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $72,372. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Weslaco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Weslaco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,412.39 | $10,454 | $125,444 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,447.43 | $6,272 | $75,266 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $964.95 | $4,181 | $50,178 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Weslaco) | $60.31 |
| 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 Weslaco, TX earn a median of $125,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.73% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 2.80% below the Texas state average of $129,059.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.31/hr = $75,266/year (purchasing power: $78,403).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $125,444/year (purchasing power: $130,671).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Weslaco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Weslaco grew 20.4% from $48.49/hr (2019) to $58.40/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.28/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 Weslaco 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 Weslaco
Examining the financial realities of court reporting in Weslaco reveals interesting trends, especially for part-time professionals. A court reporter working three days a week for 24 hours accumulates approximately $74,653 annually, which offers a comfortable income compared to the demands of full-time work. For those who pursue per-diem or freelance opportunities, the earning potential expands significantly; half-day depositions could yield between $400 and $800, not including additional per-page transcript fees. Different employer types also influence hourly earnings. Independent court reporting agencies generally provide the most flexibility, while official court reporters in the state system enjoy job security but may not earn as highly per hour. Some reporters opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, creating a balancing act between stability and income. Negotiating higher rates is essential, especially for those specializing in realtime reporting or CART services, which command premium pay due to a shrinking workforce and increasing demand in Weslaco and beyond.
More salary data for Weslaco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Weslaco. 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 Weslaco 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