Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $27.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Wisconsin Rapids, WI runs $27.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Wisconsin Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,741 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wisconsin Rapids, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $27.04, significantly lower than the national median of $35.96. This lower hourly rate, reflective of local economic conditions, presents unique opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers. For example, a court reporter working three days a week could find themselves earning an entry-level wage of approximately $16.85, while seasoned professionals in this area may earn up to $41.91 per hour. Given the varying settings where court reporters operate—ranging from deposition conference rooms and courtrooms to broadcast captioning studios—these hourly rates, derived from annual salary estimates, are critical in assessing the viability of both full-time and freelance career paths.
About the Wisconsin Rapids 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) | $16.85 | $134.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.97 | $159.78 |
| Median (P50) | $27.04 | $216.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.61 | $276.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.91 | $335.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wisconsin Rapids
Based on $27.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.04/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wisconsin Rapids, WI can expect to earn approximately $56,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,443. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wisconsin Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wisconsin Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,081.44 | $4,686 | $56,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $648.87 | $2,812 | $33,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $432.58 | $1,875 | $22,494 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Wisconsin Rapids) | $27.04 |
| 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $56,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.80% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,334.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.04/hr = $33,741/year (purchasing power: $36,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,235/year (purchasing power: $60,209).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Wisconsin Rapids grew 20.4% from $21.74/hr (2019) to $26.18/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.92/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 Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids
For those considering part-time work as a court reporter, a three-day work schedule (around 24 hours a week) translates to an annual income of approximately $33,652, which contrasts with full-time earnings that could exceed $56,243. The freelance landscape creates opportunities where per diem court reporter pay in Wisconsin Rapids can vary broadly; agencies typically offer between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, plus add-ons for per-page transcript fees. Additionally, roles in realtime captioning or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) often command higher rates of $150 to $300 per hour. Court reporters may face trade-offs when choosing between lower hourly wages that include benefits versus higher hourly rates without them. Familiarity with local firms such as Veritext and US Legal Support can enhance negotiation strategies, proving advantageous for those seeking to optimize their earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids. 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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