Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Des Moines, WA: $38.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Des Moines, WA runs $38.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,750 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Des Moines, Washington, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $38.26 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $35.96. This increased pay reflects the local demand for skilled professionals, particularly in various settings including freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and broadcast captioning venues. Part-time court reporters working three days a week could potentially take home around $30,000 annually if they work an average of 24 hours per week, while those pursuing per-diem opportunities can command significantly higher rates depending on their assignments. The hourly earnings range from $22.70 at the lower end (P10) to $59.30 for top earners (P90), suggesting a wide spectrum of pay based on experience and specialty. These figures are derived from the overall BLS annual salary data estimates for the local market.
About the Des Moines 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) | $22.70 | $181.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.48 | $227.85 |
| Median (P50) | $38.26 | $306.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.97 | $391.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.30 | $474.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $38.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.26/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, WA can expect to earn approximately $79,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,914. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,530.46 | $6,632 | $79,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $918.28 | $3,979 | $47,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $612.18 | $2,653 | $31,834 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Des Moines) | $38.26 |
| 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 Des Moines, WA earn a median of $79,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.41% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $80,303.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.26/hr = $47,750/year (purchasing power: $44,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,584/year (purchasing power: $74,101).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Des Moines grew 20.4% from $30.76/hr (2019) to $37.05/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.51/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
Exploring the financial dynamics further, part-time court reporters in Des Moines may earn between $27,000 to $40,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. In the realm of freelance work, deposition reporters often secure $400-$800 for a half-day session, coupled with additional earnings from per-page transcript fees. Those specializing in realtime or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) can earn $150-$300 per hour, a reflection of the unique skills required in these services. Furthermore, hourly pay can differ across various employers; independent reporting firms and official court positions typically offer distinct financial packages, often leading professionals to weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates with integrated health coverage against potentially higher freelance rates without such benefits. For court reporters in Des Moines, strategic negotiation can make a significant difference, especially in securing jobs that align with desired hourly rates and workload preferences.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Des Moines in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Des Moines?
Are court reporters in Des Moines paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Des Moines?
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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 Des Moines. 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 Des Moines 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