Court Reporter Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $128,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Moreno Valley, CA earns a median $128,440/year (≈ $61.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Moreno Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $113,563 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Moreno Valley, California, the dynamics of court reporting compensation reflect the structural divide between freelance and official court reporters, shaping both opportunities and earnings potential. The projected median annual salary for this profession in 2026 stands at $128,440, significantly surpassing the national median of $74,788. Local salaries range from $74,495 at the 10th percentile to $199,082 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a robust earning potential driven by various factors. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional cost adjustments. This favorable financial framework highlights the relatively strong demand in Moreno Valley's job market, which is critical given the current shortage of court reporters nationwide.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,495 | $35.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,187 | $44.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,403 | $79.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $199,082 | $95.71 |
Median Salary Position
71.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, CA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,587 (2026 est.). At $128,440, the local median is 71.74% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moreno Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moreno Valley Court Reporter Pay Compares
Moreno Valley median: $128,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moreno Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $127,294 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | +71.74% more |
Court Reporters in Moreno Valley, CA earn a median of $128,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 71.74% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% above the California state average of $127,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moreno Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moreno Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,440 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $113,563 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,266
2025 BLS Actual
$124,373
2026 Current Est.
$128,440
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,266 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,894 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,696 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,017 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,640 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $103,266 (2019) to $124,373 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,640 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,374 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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) | $74,495 – $93,187 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,187 – $128,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,440 – $164,403 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,403 – $199,082 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Moreno Valley
The court reporting industry in Moreno Valley employs 53 professionals, highlighting a competitive local market despite the national shortage. The area's cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are attractive, the local economic landscape demands careful budgeting. In this context, freelance court reporters often find work through firms like Veritext and US Legal Support, capitalizing on a higher earning potential associated with per-page rates for transcripts, which can range from $3 to $8 depending on urgency. Additionally, those specializing in realtime and CART services can command impressive hourly rates ranging from $150 to $300 for live captioning. To maximize earnings, reporters should focus on enhancing their skill set, obtaining NCRA credentials such as RPR or CRR, and exploring diverse opportunities within both independent and official capacities. The ever-present competition from digital recording systems further emphasizes the need for excellence in traditional stenographic reporting techniques, especially in formal court settings.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, CA:
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 $124,373 for court reportersin the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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