Court Reporter Salary in Dover, DE: $66,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Dover, DE earns a median $66,214/year (≈ $31.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $65,107 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For court reporters in Dover, DE, the 2026 median annual salary is projected to be $66,214, significantly lower than the national median of $74,788. The salary range offers varying opportunities, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $38,404 and the top 90% making as much as $102,631. These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities. Realtime CART specialties command a premium in the field, making it a strategic choice for court reporters eager to boost their earnings. As the city faces a notable shortage in the court reporting workforce, understanding these salary dynamics is crucial for professionals looking to navigate their careers effectively in Dover's job market.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,404 | $18.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,879 | $24.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,214 | $31.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,754 | $40.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,631 | $49.34 |
Median Salary Position
11.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,227 (2026 est.). At $66,214, the local median is 11.46% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Court Reporter Pay Compares
Dover median: $66,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $66,815 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -11.46% less |
Court Reporters in Dover, DE earn a median of $66,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.46% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Delaware state average of $66,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,214 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,107 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,236
2025 BLS Actual
$64,117
2026 Current Est.
$66,214
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,236 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,591 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,609 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,486 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,117 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,379 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $53,236 (2019) to $64,117 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,379 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,143 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $38,404 – $51,879 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,879 – $66,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,214 – $84,754 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,754 – $102,631 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Dover
With only seven court reporters currently employed in Dover, the job market remains competitive yet promising. The local cost-of-living index stands at 101.7, slightly above the national average, impacting take-home pay for court reporters significantly. Various employers within the region provide different pay scales; freelance court reporters often secure the highest rates through firms like Veritext and US Legal Support, with per-page rates ranging from $3 to $8 depending on urgency. Conversely, official court reporters within the state system generally follow a more standardized salary scale. The pay disparity can be attributed to the nature of the work, including the lucrative rates for realtime services, which can fetch up to $300 per hour when live captioning. To maximize earnings in the Dover market, court reporters should seek NCRA credentials, specialize in realtime or CART services, and consider freelance opportunities that leverage their skill levels.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 $64,117 for court reportersin the Dover 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 Dover 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