Court Reporter Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $47,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $47,303/year (≈ $22.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $54,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter salary in Hot Springs, AR is projected to average $47,303 annually, reflecting a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $74,788. Local salary estimates reveal a range from $27,436 at the 10th percentile to $73,320 at the 90th percentile, which highlights the variability in compensation depending on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, illustrate the unique dynamics of the Hot Springs job market, particularly for professionals who have obtained additional certifications such as the CRR or RPR, which can command a premium in earnings due to the specialized services they provide.
About the Hot Springs Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($45,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,436 | $13.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,504 | $16.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,303 | $22.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,547 | $29.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,320 | $35.25 |
Median Salary Position
36.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,884 (2026 est.). At $47,303, the local median is 36.75% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Court Reporter Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $47,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $48,317 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -36.75% less |
Court Reporters in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $47,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.75% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $48,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs 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.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $47,303 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,032
2025 BLS Actual
$45,805
2026 Current Est.
$47,303
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,201 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,441 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,273 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,850 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $38,032 (2019) to $45,805 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,850 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,818 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $27,436 – $34,504 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,504 – $47,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,303 – $60,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,547 – $73,320 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Hot Springs
With only six court reporters currently employed in Hot Springs, the market demonstrates a level of competition and opportunity for those wishing to enter this field. The city's cost of living index stands at 86.9, which suggests that salaries may stretch further compared to regions with higher living costs. Among local employers, independent court reporting firms often pay the most, as they typically hire freelance reporters on a per-page basis, which can range from $3 to $8 per page as well as offer higher rates for real-time captioning, potentially reaching $300 per hour. This salary spread is driven by factors such as transcript volume, quick turnaround requests, and the ongoing demand for CART services, which support accessibility for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. To maximize earnings, aspiring court reporters in Hot Springs should consider building their expertise in real-time reporting, obtaining necessary credentials, and actively seeking freelance opportunities to enhance their pay potential in this evolving local market.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $45,805 for court reportersin the Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs 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