Court Reporter Salary in Bristol, CT: $74,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Bristol, CT earns a median $74,785/year (≈ $35.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $69,310 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Connecticut, the projected median annual salary for court reporters in 2026 is estimated at $74,785, closely aligning with the national rate of $74,788. The salary for this profession can vary significantly, with a range extending from as low as $43,375 (P10) to as high as $115,916 (P90). These figures have been derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for local economic conditions and regional price adjustments. With the increasing demand for court reporters, particularly those specializing in realtime reporting and CART services, professionals in Bristol can expect competitive pay, making it an attractive city for those entering this field.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,375 | $20.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,586 | $27.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,785 | $35.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,725 | $46.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,916 | $55.72 |
Median Salary Position
0% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,541 (2026 est.). At $74,785, the local median is 0% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Court Reporter Pay Compares
Bristol median: $74,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,388 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -0.00% less |
Court Reporters in Bristol, CT earn a median of $74,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.00% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $75,388.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,785 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,310 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,128
2025 BLS Actual
$72,417
2026 Current Est.
$74,785
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,128 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,657 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,377 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,557 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,937 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,231 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $60,128 (2019) to $72,417 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,103 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $43,375 – $57,586 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,586 – $74,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,785 – $95,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,725 – $115,916 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Bristol
Bristol's local job market hosts about 13 court reporters, which reflects a stable demand in the region. However, the cost of living index stands at 107.9, indicating that expenses are above the national average. This context informs how much court reporters in Bristol, CT should aim to earn to maintain their purchasing power. Freelance court reporters typically generate the highest income by leveraging their skills for various firms such as Veritext and US Legal Support, where pay is influenced by per-page rates and the demand for expedited transcripts. Those with RPR or CRR credentials can command premiums for realtime captioning, potentially earning between $150 and $300 per hour. Given this disparity in pay scales, opportunities for maximizing earnings also lie in understanding the local market dynamics, negotiating rates effectively, and seeking diverse reporting opportunities to bridge the salary gaps prevalent in the city.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Bristol, CT 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
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 $72,417 for court reportersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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