Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Wausau, WI runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,643 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,790 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $28.68, which is substantially lower than the national median of $35.96. For court reporters, this hourly rate represents the financial reality for various working arrangements—whether they operate on a part-time basis, working three days a week, or as per-diem workers across different environments like freelance deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, or CART services. The hourly pay for court reporters in the area ranges from $16.63 for entry-level positions to $44.45 for those at the top of the pay scale, indicating the potential for growth within this profession as individuals develop their skills and experience. It's important to recognize that these figures are projections reflective of anticipated trends for 2026, derived from annual salary data.
About the Wausau 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) | $16.63 | $133.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.43 | $179.44 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.70 | $293.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.45 | $355.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,650 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,414. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.12 | $4,971 | $59,650 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.27 | $2,983 | $35,790 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.85 | $1,988 | $23,860 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Wausau) | $28.68 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $59,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.25% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,361.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,790/year (purchasing power: $38,319).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,650/year (purchasing power: $63,866).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Wausau grew 20.4% from $23.06/hr (2019) to $27.77/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.62/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
Exploring the earning potential for part-time court reporters reveals a significant distinction in income as compared to their full-time counterparts. A court reporter working a three-day week, clocking in around 24 hours for the week, would take home an estimated $38,112 annually, while a full-time reporter could potentially earn much more throughout the year. For those engaged in freelance work, per diem court reporter pay in Wausau can be quite lucrative, with deposition reporters typically billing between $400 and $800 per half-day session, in addition to per-page transcript fees. Freelancers may also find opportunities in realtime or CART live captioning, earning anywhere from $150 to $300 an hour. However, official court reporters within the state and federal systems often enjoy job security and benefits in exchange for a lower hourly rate. When negotiating pay, court reporters should consider both the financial and benefits side of employment, as some may prefer the stability and insurance that comes with lower hourly wages. As the demand for court reporters continues to rise—driven by a notable shortage—the potential for favorable pay conditions may improve along with it.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Wausau in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Wausau?
Are court reporters in Wausau paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Wausau?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Wausau?
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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 Wausau. 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 Wausau 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