Court Reporter Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $28.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in La Crosse, WI runs $28.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,294 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,571 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected court reporter hourly pay in La Crosse, Wisconsin, stands at $28.50, notably below the national median of $35.96. This disparity suggests that court reporters in the region may find it challenging to maximize their income compared to those in more lucrative markets. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this rate translates into crucial calculations for their financial planning, especially when considering positions typically found in various environments such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courthouses, and CART services in educational settings. The hourly range for court reporters in La Crosse varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $16.64 and top earners potentially commanding up to $44.19 per hour. These figures emphasize the influence of experience and specialization on pay rates while providing insight into the market dynamics that shape court reporter earnings in WI.
About the La Crosse Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.64 | $133.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.53 | $164.24 |
| Median (P50) | $28.50 | $228.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.49 | $291.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.19 | $353.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $28.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.50/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,203. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.10 | $4,940 | $59,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.06 | $2,964 | $35,571 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.04 | $1,976 | $23,714 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (La Crosse) | $28.50 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $59,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.72% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,317.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.50/hr = $35,571/year (purchasing power: $38,085).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,285/year (purchasing power: $63,475).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in La Crosse grew 20.4% from $22.92/hr (2019) to $27.60/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.43/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
Advantages and limitations characterize court reporter pay structures in La Crosse. Part-time court reporters working a typical 24-hour week will earn significantly less annually compared to full-time counterparts, influencing their long-term income strategies. Freelancers engaged in per diem work are often drawn to the lucrative opportunities available at depositions, often earning $400-$800 for half-day sessions, plus additional fees for transcripts. Meanwhile, CART and realtime captioning specialists increasingly command higher hourly rates, ranging from $150 to $300, reflecting the growing demand for these services. Each employment environment plays a role in pay, with independent contract work potentially offering the most attractive hourly rates but lacking benefits compared to positions within the state or federal court systems. Negotiation tactics can also vary, as securing health insurance might sway some court reporters to accept lower hourly rates, focusing instead on comprehensive compensation packages. As the workforce faces a significant shortage, characterized by an estimated gap of 5,500 reporters as indicated by the NCRA, understanding these nuances becomes vital for those entering or progressing in the profession.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in La Crosse in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in La Crosse?
Are court reporters in La Crosse paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in La Crosse?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in La Crosse?
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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 La Crosse. 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 La Crosse 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