Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Olympia, WA: $38.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Olympia, WA runs $38.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,557 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Olympia's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,738 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Olympia, Washington, court reporters earn a median hourly rate of $38.25, which surpasses the national median of $35.96. This competitive pay represents a valuable opportunity for those looking to enter this field, especially for part-time court reporters working around three days a week, as well as per-diem workers. Typical settings include deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and university classrooms, where flexible schedules can accommodate both freelance and employed positions. The hourly pay range varies from an entry-level rate of $22.18 to elite earnings of $59.29, reflecting diverse experience levels and specialization areas. Estimates indicate that these hourly rates derive from annual salary data, reinforcing the economic viability of pursuing a career in court reporting within Olympia.
About the Olympia 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) | $22.18 | $177.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.38 | $235.04 |
| Median (P50) | $38.25 | $306.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.96 | $391.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.29 | $474.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olympia
Based on $38.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.25/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olympia, WA can expect to earn approximately $79,563 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,901. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Olympia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olympia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,530.05 | $6,630 | $79,563 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $918.03 | $3,978 | $47,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $612.02 | $2,652 | $31,825 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Olympia) | $38.25 |
| 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 Olympia, WA earn a median of $79,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.00% below the Washington state average of $80,361.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.25/hr = $47,738/year (purchasing power: $44,448).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,563/year (purchasing power: $74,081).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Olympia grew 20.4% from $30.75/hr (2019) to $37.04/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.50/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 Olympia 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 Olympia
Part-time court reporters operating on a 24-hour work week can still take home an appealing income, albeit lower than their full-time counterparts. For those engaged in per-diem or freelance reporting, the reality is even more lucrative. Half-day depositions can yield earnings ranging from $400 to $800 plus per-page transcript fees. Realtime and CART captioning—often found in live event settings or assisting individuals with hearing impairments—command impressive rates of $150 to $300 per hour, making this specialty highly lucrative. Earnings can vary across different employer types in Olympia, where freelance work is common through firms like Veritext or US Legal Support, while official court reporters may have more stable but lower hourly rates tied to state employment. Some court reporters may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, indicating a trade-off that can be crucial, especially for those with family needs. When negotiating, it’s wise to research average pay rates in the area and weigh benefits versus hourly compensation in this in-demand profession.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Olympia in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Olympia?
Are court reporters in Olympia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Olympia?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Olympia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Olympia. 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 Olympia 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