Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $20.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Morgantown, WV runs $20.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,711 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,622 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Morgantown, West Virginia, can expect an hourly median pay of $20.53, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $35.96. This wage directly impacts various employment scenarios, allowing part-time workers and per-diem reporters to navigate their financial needs. For instance, a court reporter working three days a week may find this rate gratifying but remains below the national standards typical in freelance and courtroom settings. The hourly pay range in Morgantown spans from $12.80 for entry-level positions to $31.83 for seasoned professionals, which reflects both skill level and experience in diverse environments such as depositions, courtroom settings, and CART services. These figures estimate the trade-offs faced by court reporters in balancing financial stability against regional cost of living considerations.
About the Morgantown 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) | $12.80 | $102.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.68 | $125.41 |
| Median (P50) | $20.53 | $164.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.28 | $210.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.83 | $254.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $20.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.53/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $42,703 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,636. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $821.20 | $3,559 | $42,703 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $492.72 | $2,135 | $25,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $328.48 | $1,423 | $17,081 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Morgantown) | $20.53 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $42,711 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.89% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.30% below the West Virginia state average of $44,631.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.53/hr = $25,622/year (purchasing power: $29,620).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,703/year (purchasing power: $49,367).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Morgantown grew 20.4% from $16.51/hr (2019) to $19.88/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.20/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
When analyzing earning potential as a part-time court reporter, those working 24 hours a week would take home about $26,163 annually, a stark contrast to a full-time reporter's earnings. Per diem court reporter pay in Morgantown can vary greatly, particularly for freelance deposition services, where reporters might earn $400-$800 per half-day plus additional fees based on page count for transcripts. Capturing live events with CART or providing realtime services can yield between $150-$300 hourly, reflecting specialized skills that in high demand. The pay disparities arise from the types of positions available, whether at private firms or as public court employees. Many choose independent roles for higher hourly wages, even if they sacrifice benefits like health insurance found in government positions. Negotiation is key; court reporters should understand their own worth and be prepared to leverage their credentials when discussing hourly pay in Morgantown.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Morgantown. 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 Morgantown 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