Court Reporter Salary in Benton, AR: $47,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Benton, AR earns a median $47,347/year (≈ $22.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $54,484 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for court reporters in 2026 stands at $47,347, significantly lower than the national average of $74,788 for the same year. Local salaries vary substantially; court reporters in this area can earn anywhere from $27,462 at the lower end of the scale (10th percentile) to as much as $73,388 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures reflect adjustments based on regional cost disparities and the current state-level data collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The divide among freelance court reporters and those employed by the state or federal governments has serious implications for pay, as freelance work—which dominates the local market—often pays per page, thus affecting both income stability and growth potential for those in the profession.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,462 | $13.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,591 | $16.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,347 | $22.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,604 | $29.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,388 | $35.29 |
Median Salary Position
36.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,926 (2026 est.). At $47,347, the local median is 36.69% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Court Reporter Pay Compares
Benton median: $47,347/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $48,313 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -36.69% less |
Court Reporters in Benton, AR earn a median of $47,347 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.69% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $48,313.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $47,347 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,484 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,067
2025 BLS Actual
$45,848
2026 Current Est.
$47,347
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,067 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,036 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,226 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,239 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,848 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $38,067 (2019) to $45,848 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,828 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $27,462 – $34,591 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,591 – $47,347 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,347 – $60,604 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,604 – $73,388 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Benton
With only five court reporters currently employed in Benton, the local job market remains somewhat limited. The cost of living index of 86.9 suggests that while housing and living expenses may be lower than the national average, it can impact the purchasing power of court reporters. Freelance court reporters, the predominant group, typically work through firms like Veritext and US Legal Support, where pay can vary based on project urgency—ranging from $3 to $8 per page. Those who focus on realtime reporting or CART services can command higher fees, sometimes $150 to $300 per hour, reflecting a premium for these specialized skills. To maximize earnings in this market, court reporters should consider enhancing their qualifications through certifications like RPR or CRR, as a strong credential can lead to more lucrative opportunities. Understanding local demand and diversifying skill sets to include realtime or CART services will position court reporters in Benton favorably in a competitive market already grappling with a shortage of qualified professionals.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,848 for court reportersin the Benton metropolitan area. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton 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