Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Roanoke, VA: $36.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Roanoke, VA runs $36.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,521 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Roanoke's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,907 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Roanoke, Virginia, becoming a court reporter can lead to a solid earning opportunity, with the median hourly pay projected to be $36.78 in 2026. This rate slightly exceeds the national median of $35.96, indicating a favorable earning environment for professionals in the area. Those operating part-time—such as working three days per week—can expect to generate a respectable income while enjoying flexible scheduling. Per-diem workers, often engaged in deposition conference settings or CART services, can earn rates that vary widely across job types. Entry-level court reporters in Roanoke might see an hourly wage starting at $21.46, while experienced professionals can command upwards of $57.03, showcasing a progressive pay scale based on experience and specialization. These hourly estimates are derived from projected annual salary data, reflecting both the demand and the increasing recognition of this essential role in the judicial process.
About the Roanoke 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) | $21.46 | $171.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.16 | $217.28 |
| Median (P50) | $36.78 | $294.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.09 | $376.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.03 | $456.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Roanoke
Based on $36.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.78/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Roanoke, VA can expect to earn approximately $76,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,142. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Roanoke.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Roanoke
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,471.39 | $6,376 | $76,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $882.83 | $3,826 | $45,907 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $588.56 | $2,550 | $30,605 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Roanoke) | $36.78 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA earn a median of $76,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Virginia state average of $77,216.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.78/hr = $45,907/year (purchasing power: $44,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,512/year (purchasing power: $74,140).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Roanoke grew 20.4% from $29.58/hr (2019) to $35.62/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.99/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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke
Beyond standard employment situations, the earning potential for court reporters in Roanoke is particularly dynamic for those who pursue part-time work or freelance opportunities. A court reporter who works three days a week—totaling around 24 hours—could take home approximately $45,000 annually, which highlights a significant balance between work-life flexibility and earning potential. Freelance deposition reporters commonly charge between $400 and $800 for a half-day of work and can earn additional fees for producing transcripts. Specialties like realtime captioning for live events, meanwhile, pay handsomely, ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. Different employment settings in Roanoke can lead to varying pay scales; for instance, independent court reporters may see different compensation structures compared to official court reporters or broadcast captioners. Many professionals may consider the trade-off between higher hourly rates devoid of benefits against lower hourly rates that include health insurance and other perks. Establishing strong negotiation skills is vital, particularly in a market where the court reporting workforce is experiencing a shortage; thus court reporters should be well-prepared to advocate for their worth in this evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Roanoke in 2026?
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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 Roanoke. 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 Roanoke 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