Court Reporter Salary in Manchester, CT: $76,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Manchester, CT earns a median $76,027/year (≈ $36.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $70,461 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Freelance court reporters in Manchester, CT earn an impressive median annual salary of $76,027, a figure that slightly outpaces the national median of $74,788 for similar roles. The salary range for court reporters here is considerable, with entry-level positions earning approximately $44,096, while experienced professionals can command salaries upwards of $117,842. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for cost-of-living differences, reflect the dynamic nature of the court reporting field within the region. Given the chronic shortage of court reporters, as highlighted by the NCRA's estimates of a 5,500-reporter deficit nationwide, the Manchester job market shows promise for sustaining and potentially increasing these salaries as demand grows.
About the Manchester Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,096 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,500 | $26.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,027 | $36.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,315 | $46.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,842 | $56.65 |
Median Salary Position
1.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, CT, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,746 (2026 est.). At $76,027, the local median is 1.66% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manchester Court Reporter Pay Compares
Manchester median: $76,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,424 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | +1.66% more |
Court Reporters in Manchester, CT earn a median of $76,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.66% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% above the Connecticut state average of $75,424.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,027 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,461 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,126
2025 BLS Actual
$73,620
2026 Current Est.
$76,027
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,126 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,682 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,999 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,513 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $61,126 (2019) to $73,620 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,513 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,387 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $44,096 – $55,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,500 – $76,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,027 – $97,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,315 – $117,842 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Manchester
In Manchester, the competitive landscape for court reporter pay is shaped by various factors. Although there are currently only 11 court reporters employed locally, the higher-than-average cost of living index (107.9) impacts take-home pay, necessitating a focused approach to maximizing annual earnings. Some of the highest-paying opportunities arise in freelance positions with firms like Veritext and US Legal Support, which offer lucrative per-page rates depending on turnaround time, alongside the possibility of premium compensation for realtime and CART services. Official court reporters working for state or federal systems earn standardized salaries, often lower than those of freelancers, while broadcast captioners and CART providers can earn significantly more with their specialized skills. To boost earning potential in this market, professionals should cultivate advanced skill sets, such as realtime reporting and digital recording proficiency, which set them apart in a competitive job landscape where stenographic methods continue to face challenges from technological advancements.
More salary data for Manchester, CT:
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 $73,620 for court reportersin the Manchester 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 Manchester 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