Court Reporter Hourly Pay in University Place, WA: $37.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in University Place, WA runs $37.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,770 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against University Place's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,261 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in University Place, Washington, earn a median hourly pay of $37.87, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $35.96. This robust hourly wage allows court reporters to thrive in diverse work settings, including deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, home studios, and live event venues. For part-time workers, such as those engaging in three-day work weeks, the earning potential can still be substantial, reflecting the competitive hourly range from $21.98 for entry-level positions up to $58.70 for experienced professionals. These hourly estimates are projected from annual salary data for 2026, underscoring the financial viability of practicing court reporting in WA, especially given the chronic workforce shortage highlighted by the NCRA, which predicts a significant gap in available reporters.
About the University Place 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) | $21.98 | $175.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.72 | $221.74 |
| Median (P50) | $37.87 | $302.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.47 | $387.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.70 | $469.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in University Place
Based on $37.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.87/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in University Place, WA can expect to earn approximately $78,768 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,443. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in University Place.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in University Place
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,514.76 | $6,564 | $78,768 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $908.86 | $3,938 | $47,261 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $605.91 | $2,626 | $31,507 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (University Place) | $37.87 |
| 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 University Place, WA earn a median of $78,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $80,296.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.87/hr = $47,261/year (purchasing power: $44,004).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,768/year (purchasing power: $73,341).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in University Place grew 20.4% from $30.45/hr (2019) to $36.67/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.11/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 University Place 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 University Place
For a court reporter working part-time at 24 hours a week in University Place, the annual income begins to paint a clearer picture of financial stability—this could total about $47,186 when considering only their hourly earnings without additional benefits or overtime. Per diem court reporter pay in University Place can vary dramatically, as freelance deposition reporters typically earn between $400 and $800 for a half-day assignment and may charge extra for transcript fees. Employers across different sectors can heavily influence hourly rates, with independent reporters often working for agencies like Veritext or US Legal Support, while those in official state or federal positions might receive wage benefits but less flexibility. Court reporters navigating these options might choose reduced hourly pay for access to health insurance or opt for higher pay rates as independent freelancers, reflecting the personal priorities that shape their career decisions.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in University Place in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in University Place?
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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 University Place. 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 University Place 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