Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Ellensburg, WA: $36.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Ellensburg, WA runs $36.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,623 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Ellensburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,972 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Ellensburg, WA, earn a median hourly pay of $36.84, slightly above the national median of $35.96. This rate offers attractive compensation for part-time professionals working three days a week, allowing for a comfortable income while also accommodating flexible schedules. Typical roles for court reporters include working in various settings such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and providing CART services for live events or education. Hourly earnings range from $22.31 for entry-level positions to $57.10 for those at the top of their field. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates and reflect the ongoing demand for skilled court reporters in the region.
About the Ellensburg 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) | $22.31 | $178.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.56 | $220.50 |
| Median (P50) | $36.84 | $294.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.15 | $377.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.10 | $456.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ellensburg
Based on $36.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.84/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ellensburg, WA can expect to earn approximately $76,620 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,204. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ellensburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ellensburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,473.46 | $6,385 | $76,620 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $884.07 | $3,831 | $45,972 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.38 | $2,554 | $30,648 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Ellensburg) | $36.84 |
| 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 Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $76,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $80,318.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.84/hr = $45,972/year (purchasing power: $42,804).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,620/year (purchasing power: $71,341).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Ellensburg grew 20.4% from $29.62/hr (2019) to $35.67/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.04/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 Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg
Exploring the earning potential for part-time court reporters reveals that working a typical 24-hour week may yield significant annual income benefits compared to full-time roles. Per-diem work options are also lucrative; freelance deposition reporters can command between $400 and $800 for half-day assignments, while realtime CART captioning services can net $150 to $300 per hour. Different employer types in Ellensburg, such as independent reporting firms, official court reporters, and federal agencies, may offer varying rates reflecting their specific needs and budgets. However, many court reporters face a choice between more secure wages with benefits and potentially higher hourly rates without health insurance. Negotiating based on your specialty—such as realtime or CART—can also enhance your hourly pay prospects. With a growing workforce gap in the industry, those with specialized skills can capitalize on demand, making court reporter hourly pay in Ellensburg a promising avenue for both established and aspiring professionals.
More salary data for Ellensburg, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Ellensburg in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Ellensburg?
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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 Ellensburg. 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 Ellensburg 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