Court Reporter Salary in Smyrna, DE: $61,900 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Smyrna, DE earns a median $61,900/year (≈ $29.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $60,865 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those pursuing a career as a court reporter in Smyrna, Delaware, a specialized skill set can dramatically influence earnings. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to be $61,900, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,788, indicating a gap of about 17.23%. Local estimates show a salary range varying from $39,662 at the 10th percentile to as much as $95,945 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect the growing demand for skilled court reporters, particularly those with realtime and CART certification, which can enhance earning potential through specialized pay premiums. As the demand outpaces the supply of qualified professionals, the local job market presents opportunities for those equipped with necessary credentials, like the RPR or CRR.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,662 | $19.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,232 | $38.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,945 | $46.13 |
Median Salary Position
17.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, DE, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,283 (2026 est.). At $61,900, the local median is 17.23% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Smyrna Court Reporter Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $61,900/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $66,847 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -17.23% less |
Court Reporters in Smyrna, DE earn a median of $61,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.23% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $66,847.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Smyrna, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,900 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,865 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,768
2025 BLS Actual
$59,940
2026 Current Est.
$61,900
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,768 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,607 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,921 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,900 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $49,768 (2019) to $59,940 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,156 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $39,662 – $47,900 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,900 – $61,900 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,900 – $79,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,232 – $95,945 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Smyrna
In Smyrna, where only five court reporters are currently employed, the competition remains manageable, granting a unique niche for professionals in the field. The cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 101.7, which indicates that while salaries may be lower than national benchmarks, the local economic conditions are conducive for maintaining a decent living standard. Freelance court reporters tend to earn variably according to demand, with rates ranging depending on urgency and page counts; those specializing in realtime and CART can command significant hourly premiums, particularly in settings such as live captioning or high-stakes legal proceedings. Local reporting can also involve working for government agencies, which follow official pay scales that may offer steadier income. For those seeking to maximize their income in Smyrna, enhancing skills in specialized areas, networking with local law firms, and continually seeking certifications can provide a path to higher pay within this evolving job market.
More salary data for Smyrna, 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 $59,940 for court reportersin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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