Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $38.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bellingham, WA runs $38.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,254 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the court reporter hourly pay stands at an estimated $38.58 for 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $35.96. This favorable rate can significantly benefit part-time court reporters working three days a week, who may earn a reliable income while enjoying flexibility in their schedules. In a profession often marked by varied engagements, court reporters may find work in deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, or as freelancers providing CART services at live events and in classrooms. With an hourly pay range from $22.38 at the entry level to an impressive $59.80 for more experienced professionals, this occupation offers room for growth, making it an appealing career option within the local economy.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.38 | $179.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.78 | $222.24 |
| Median (P50) | $38.58 | $308.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.38 | $395.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.80 | $478.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $38.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.58/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $80,250 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,298. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,543.27 | $6,687 | $80,250 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $925.96 | $4,012 | $48,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $617.31 | $2,675 | $32,100 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bellingham) | $38.58 |
| 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 Bellingham, WA earn a median of $80,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $80,335.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.58/hr = $48,150/year (purchasing power: $44,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,250/year (purchasing power: $74,721).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bellingham grew 20.4% from $31.02/hr (2019) to $37.36/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.84/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 Bellingham 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 Bellingham
Part-time court reporters working a three-day-per-week schedule (approximately 24 hours) could expect to take home around $45,700 annually, based on their hourly earnings, contrasting sharply with full-time counterparts who benefit from the stability of a more consistent workload. For per-diem court reporter pay in Bellingham, freelance deposition reporters often earn between $400 and $800 per half-day session, in addition to per-page transcript fees that can add substantial earnings. In this sector, those engaged in realtime or CART services may charge $150 to $300 per hour, particularly during rush job scenarios where fees can jump 50% to 100% more. The diversity of employer types—ranging from independent court reporting firms to staffing agencies and government positions—creates variability in hourly rates. While some reporters may opt for lower pay in exchange for health benefits, others pursue higher earnings without insurance. For those examining hourly negotiations, conducting market research on local rates and networking within the court reporting community is essential in achieving favorable pay outcomes.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Bellingham in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Bellingham. 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 Bellingham 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