Court Reporter Salary in Golden, CO: $72,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Golden, CO earns a median $72,278/year (≈ $34.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Golden's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $68,836 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as a court reporter in Golden, Colorado can expect a median annual salary of $72,278, which is slightly below the national median of $74,788 for the same year. This market reflects a wide salary range from $45,445 at the 10th percentile to $112,030 at the 90th percentile, showcasing potential for growth and variation in compensation levels depending on experience and specialty. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parity, indicate that the court reporting profession continues to evolve, particularly for those obtaining the Registered Communication Access Real-time Translator (CRR) credential, which commands a higher rate due to the growing demand for realtime services in Golden's legal and educational sectors.
About the Golden Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,445 | $21.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,358 | $26.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,278 | $34.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,515 | $44.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,030 | $53.87 |
Median Salary Position
3.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Golden
In Golden, CO, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,585 (2026 est.). At $72,278, the local median is 3.36% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Golden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Golden Court Reporter Pay Compares
Golden median: $72,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Golden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,563 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -3.36% less |
Court Reporters in Golden, CO earn a median of $72,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.36% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $78,563.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Golden has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Golden, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,278 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,836 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,112
2025 BLS Actual
$69,989
2026 Current Est.
$72,278
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,112 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,353 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,426 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,794 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,989 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Golden metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $58,112 (2019) to $69,989 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,529 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Golden 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) | $45,445 – $55,358 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,358 – $72,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,278 – $92,515 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,515 – $112,030 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Golden
Examining the job market, there are currently six court reporters employed in Golden, indicating a relatively niche field with growth potential. The cost of living index sits at 105, implying that while salaries are competitive, the take-home purchasing power may also be influenced by local expenses. Freelance firms like Veritext and US Legal Support typically pay the most, with compensation often based on per-page transcript rates ranging from $3 to $8, along with realtime/CART services demanding a premium rate of $150 to $300 per hour. Factors contributing to the disparity in court reporter pay in Golden include employment type, the rate for deposition page volume, and market demand for realtime versus traditional reporting. For those seeking to maximize earnings, specializing in realtime or CART services will likely yield higher pay in this evolving market, alongside maintaining a robust client base, particularly in light of a growing workforce shortage in the field.
More salary data for Golden, CO:
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 $69,989 for court reportersin the Golden 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 Golden 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