Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Wichita Falls, TX: $63.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Wichita Falls, TX runs $63.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,296 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Wichita Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,378 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Wichita Falls can expect a median hourly rate of $63.60, significantly higher than the national median of $35.96. This robust compensation reflects the specialized skills required in various settings, including state and federal courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and captioning venues. With an hourly range from $36.89 for entry-level positions to $98.58 for seasoned professionals, court reporters have the potential to earn substantial income, whether they work full-time or engage as freelancers. For part-time or per-diem workers, typically taking on assignments about three days a week, this hourly pay means that even on a limited schedule, they can achieve a comfortable income that exceeds the national average significantly.
About the Wichita Falls 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) | $36.89 | $295.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.11 | $384.91 |
| Median (P50) | $63.60 | $508.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81.42 | $651.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98.58 | $788.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita Falls
Based on $63.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.60/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita Falls, TX can expect to earn approximately $132,296 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,325. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,544.16 | $11,025 | $132,296 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,526.50 | $6,615 | $79,378 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,017.66 | $4,410 | $52,919 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Wichita Falls) | $63.60 |
| 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 Wichita Falls, TX earn a median of $132,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 76.89% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 2.50% above the Texas state average of $129,069.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.60/hr = $79,378/year (purchasing power: $82,685).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,296/year (purchasing power: $137,809).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $51.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Wichita Falls grew 20.4% from $51.14/hr (2019) to $61.59/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.68/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 Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls
Looking at part-time earning potential, a court reporter working a typical 24-hour week can bring home a considerable annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Freelancers often capitalize on per diem opportunities, where deposition reporters might earn between $400 to $800 for a half-day assignment, plus transcript fees. The shift to freelance work allows for flexibility but can lead to variability in earnings, as rates differ based on employer types. Court reporters working under agencies or in official court roles may experience different pay scales. Notably, the market for realtime and CART services, specialized in providing live captioning for events and educational needs, commands some of the highest hourly rates. While some professionals may choose to accept lower hourly pay for benefits like health insurance, others may prioritize immediate earnings. For those navigating the court reporting landscape in Wichita Falls, negotiating the hourly rate based on the job's nature, required expertise, and industry standards can significantly impact overall earnings potential in this growing field.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Wichita Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Wichita Falls?
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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 Wichita Falls. 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 Wichita Falls 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