Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bristol, VA: $35.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bristol, VA runs $35.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,219 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,528 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $35.68, court reporter hourly pay in Bristol, Virginia, closely reflects the national average of $35.96. This compensation illustrates a viable option for both full-time and part-time professionals in various settings, including deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and live captioning environments. Part-time court reporters working three days a week could find themselves generating steady income while enjoying a flexible work schedule. Entry-level salaries start around $22.10 per hour, while top earners in the field can command up to $55.31 hourly, emphasizing a potential for advancement and specialization. These figures suggest that court reporting remains an appealing career choice in Bristol, even as the profession contends with a shortage of qualified reporters.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.10 | $176.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.06 | $216.45 |
| Median (P50) | $35.68 | $285.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.68 | $365.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.31 | $442.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $35.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.68/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, VA can expect to earn approximately $74,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,816. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,427.19 | $6,184 | $74,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $856.31 | $3,711 | $44,528 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.88 | $2,474 | $29,686 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bristol) | $35.68 |
| 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 Bristol, VA earn a median of $74,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.80% below the Virginia state average of $77,151.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.68/hr = $44,528/year (purchasing power: $43,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,214/year (purchasing power: $71,913).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bristol grew 20.4% from $28.69/hr (2019) to $34.55/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.85/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
Entering the field as a part-time court reporter can provide a solid income, especially when considering that a three-day workweek can yield significant annual earnings compared to full-time positions. Freelance deposition reporters in Bristol often experience varying pay; for instance, they can earn between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, in addition to transcript fees, resulting in a substantial composite hourly rate. The market range widely fluctuates based on the context of employment. Agency positions might offer stable pay but with lower rates than independent contract work, where pay varies significantly based on specialty and urgency. Furthermore, those opting for official court roles may enjoy employment benefits, albeit at a lower hourly rate; ultimately, effective negotiation is crucial for maximizing court reporter hourly pay in VA’s unique market.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Bristol in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Bristol?
Are court reporters in Bristol paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Bristol?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Bristol?
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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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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