Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Burien, WA: $38.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Burien, WA runs $38.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Burien's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,969 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, the projected court reporter hourly pay for 2026 is $38.44, representing a competitive edge over the national hourly median of $35.96. This income stream is particularly beneficial for part-time court reporters, such as those working three days a week, and those engaging in per-diem roles. Employment opportunities exist in diverse settings like deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even from home studios for broadcast captioning. The hourly pay range for court reporters in Burien varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $23.25, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $59.58, reflecting the variety in experience and specialization within this field.
About the Burien 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) | $23.25 | $185.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.92 | $231.32 |
| Median (P50) | $38.44 | $307.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.20 | $393.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.58 | $476.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burien
Based on $38.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.44/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burien, WA can expect to earn approximately $79,949 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,125. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burien.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burien
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,537.48 | $6,662 | $79,949 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $922.49 | $3,997 | $47,969 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.99 | $2,665 | $31,980 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Burien) | $38.44 |
| 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 Burien, WA earn a median of $79,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $80,350.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.44/hr = $47,969/year (purchasing power: $44,664).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,949/year (purchasing power: $74,441).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Burien grew 20.4% from $30.90/hr (2019) to $37.22/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.69/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 Burien 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 Burien
As part-time court reporters engage only three days a week, their annual take-home is considerably lower than their full-time counterparts. Freelancing offers considerable potential, with per diem court reporter pay in Burien typically ranging from $400 to $800 per half-day deposition, in addition to earning per-page fees for transcripts. In the realm of realtime captioning and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), hourly rates can soar to between $150 and $300, particularly for urgent requests, which may also attract premium rates. Employers vary widely from independent agencies, where many court reporters find work, to official state and federal positions that may offer more stability but at potentially lower hourly rates. Some professionals accept positions with additional benefits, sacrificing a higher hourly rate to secure health insurance and paid leave. When negotiating pay in Burien, it's crucial to know your worth and remain aware of the demand; with a shortage of reporters, potential candidates can often drive the conversation for better compensation.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Burien 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 Burien. 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 Burien 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