Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $35.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Mountlake Terrace, WA runs $35.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,359 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Mountlake Terrace's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,619 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mountlake Terrace, the current court reporter hourly pay stands at $35.75, which is slightly below the national median of $35.96. This rate positions court reporting as a viable career for those considering part-time or per diem arrangements, particularly in diverse settings such as courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and CART live event venues. For court reporters working part-time at three days per week, the flexible hourly structure accommodates various lifestyles. While entry-level positions start around $22.86, experienced professionals in Mountlake Terrace can earn up to $55.41 per hour, showcasing the field's potential for financial growth and flexibility. As the demand for court reporters grows, primarily due to the ongoing shortage highlighted by the NCRA, these positions offer both stability and the opportunity for lucrative earnings through freelance avenues.
About the Mountlake Terrace 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) | $22.86 | $182.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.64 | $221.08 |
| Median (P50) | $35.75 | $286.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.76 | $366.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.41 | $443.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountlake Terrace
Based on $35.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.75/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountlake Terrace, WA can expect to earn approximately $74,364 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,902. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountlake Terrace.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountlake Terrace
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,430.08 | $6,197 | $74,364 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $858.05 | $3,718 | $44,619 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $572.03 | $2,479 | $29,746 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Mountlake Terrace) | $35.75 |
| 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 Mountlake Terrace, WA earn a median of $74,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.57% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.40% below the Washington state average of $80,301.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.75/hr = $44,619/year (purchasing power: $41,544).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,364/year (purchasing power: $69,241).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Mountlake Terrace (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Mountlake Terrace grew 20.4% from $28.74/hr (2019) to $34.62/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.92/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 Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace
Examining the dynamics of court reporter pay in Mountlake Terrace reveals interesting insights into part-time and freelance opportunities. A court reporter working part-time for 24 hours a week could earn approximately $44,250 annually, well below full-time potential but still an attractive option for those balancing other commitments. For freelancers, which is a common path, per diem pay can vary significantly—deposition reporters might charge $400 to $800 for a half-day session, in addition to a per-page fee for transcripts. Realtime captioning services command higher rates, with earnings from $150 to $300 per hour. Different employer types also influence pay rates; court reporters employed by the federal government often receive better benefits but can earn less than their freelance counterparts who prioritize high hourly pay. Workers in Mountlake Terrace can negotiate pay based on their specialties, with factors such as health insurance and stability being key during discussions. Understanding these nuances can empower court reporters to maximize their earning potential in this changing industry landscape.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Mountlake Terrace in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Mountlake Terrace?
Are court reporters in Mountlake Terrace paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Mountlake Terrace?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Mountlake Terrace?
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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 Mountlake Terrace. 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 Mountlake Terrace 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