Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Sun Prairie, WI: $28.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Sun Prairie, WI runs $28.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,604 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Sun Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,764 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, earn a median hourly pay of $28.66. This figure is below the national median hourly rate of $35.96, making the local market less competitive for this essential profession. Those working part-time, such as three days a week, can expect to accumulate income that reflects both the local and national trends. Independent court reporters may find work in varied environments such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, or even remote captioning services, allowing for a flexible schedule. The hourly range varies significantly, from $16.62 for entry-level positions to $44.42 for seasoned experts in the field, illustrating the diverse earning potential available to court reporters based on experience and specialization.
About the Sun Prairie 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) | $16.62 | $132.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.39 | $179.11 |
| Median (P50) | $28.66 | $229.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.68 | $293.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.42 | $355.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sun Prairie
Based on $28.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.66/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sun Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,607 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,389. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sun Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sun Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,146.30 | $4,967 | $59,607 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.78 | $2,980 | $35,764 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.52 | $1,987 | $23,843 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Sun Prairie) | $28.66 |
| 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 Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $59,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.30% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,321.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.66/hr = $35,764/year (purchasing power: $38,292).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,607/year (purchasing power: $63,820).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Sun Prairie grew 20.4% from $23.04/hr (2019) to $27.75/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.59/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 Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie
Analyzing the compensation structure reveals interesting insights into earnings based on part-time and freelance work. A court reporter working three days a week could realistically take home around $36,000 annually, which contrasts starkly with the earnings of those working full-time positions. Per diem or freelance court report roles often yield higher payouts; for example, deposition reporters typically earn between $400 to $800 for half-day jobs, along with additional fees per transcript page. The rates also differ depending on employers—in Sun Prairie, freelance reporters find work through agencies like Veritext or Esquire, while state and federal court reporters are employed directly by government entities. As professionals navigate their options, some may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for healthier benefits. Negotiating rates is key; understanding local market rates and emphasizing specialized skills, such as realtime or CART service, can lead to more favorable pay outcomes in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, WI:
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 Sun Prairie. 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 Sun Prairie 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