Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $21.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Charleston, WV runs $21.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,927 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,356 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, court reporters earn a median hourly pay of $21.12, considerably lower than the national hourly median of $35.96. This discrepancy in rates shapes the work environment, particularly for part-time court reporters who may seek to balance their professional commitments with personal needs. Many opt for a part-time schedule, like working three days a week, which allows them to manage life outside of courtrooms and deposition settings. The hourly rates span a range from $12.31 for entry-level positions to $32.74 for experienced professionals. Additionally, these figures, projected for 2026, reflect the potential income in various work environments, including freelance deposition settings, state and federal courtrooms, broadcast captioning, and CART services in academic institutions.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.31 | $98.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.56 | $124.50 |
| Median (P50) | $21.12 | $168.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.04 | $216.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.74 | $261.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $21.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.12/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $43,927 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,342. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $844.75 | $3,661 | $43,927 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $506.85 | $2,196 | $26,356 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $337.90 | $1,464 | $17,571 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Charleston) | $21.12 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $43,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.26% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.50% below the West Virginia state average of $44,596.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.12/hr = $26,356/year (purchasing power: $30,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,927/year (purchasing power: $50,783).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Charleston grew 20.4% from $16.98/hr (2019) to $20.45/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.81/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
When considering the earnings of a part-time court reporter in Charleston, one must assess the actual take-home income compared to their full-time counterparts. While a 24-hour work week may yield less stress, it typically results in an annual income significantly lower than full-time positions. Freelance court reporters can earn between $400 and $800 for half-day assignments, plus additional transcript fees, making per diem court reporter pay in Charleston quite variable. Those in specialized realtime or CART services can command higher rates, sometimes between $150 and $300 per hour, especially for expedited services. The hourly pay also varies greatly depending on employment type; official court reporters, for example, may enjoy stable salaries but fewer flexible hours compared to independent contractors who might earn a higher hourly wage without employee benefits. For those engaged in negotiations, it's crucial to weigh these elements carefully, as accepting a lower hourly pay for stability and health benefits can significantly alter one's overall financial outlook in Charleston's court reporting market.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Charleston in 2026?
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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 Charleston. 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 Charleston 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