Court Reporter Salary in Waipahu, HI: $73,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Waipahu, HI earns a median $73,669/year (≈ $35.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $61,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waipahu, Hawaii, court reporters can expect a median annual salary of $73,669 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position relative to the national median of $74,788. The income range for this occupation spans significantly from $42,728 at the 10th percentile to $114,187 at the 90th percentile, indicating ample opportunity for advancement and specialization. These figures, derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost of living, highlight the potential for earning, particularly for those who pursue certifications such as the RCR or CRR, which can allow professionals to command a premium, especially in realtime court reporting and CART services. Given the local demand for skilled stenographers, Waipahu's market offers a promising outlook for court reporters looking to enhance their careers.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,728 | $20.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,842 | $25.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,669 | $35.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,296 | $45.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,187 | $54.90 |
Median Salary Position
1.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,459 (2026 est.). At $73,669, the local median is 1.5% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Court Reporter Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $73,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $75,172 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -1.50% less |
Court Reporters in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $73,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $75,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,669 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,751 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,230
2025 BLS Actual
$71,336
2026 Current Est.
$73,669
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Waipahu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,737 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,983 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,831 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,078 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $59,230 (2019) to $71,336 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,078 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,848 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $42,728 – $53,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,842 – $73,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,669 – $94,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,296 – $114,187 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Waipahu
The local job market for court reporters in Waipahu consists of just nine employed professionals, illustrating the tight-knit nature of this field. With a cost-of-living index of 119.3, expenses in Waipahu are above the national average, affecting overall purchasing power for court reporter pay in Waipahu HI. Freelance court reporters, often reliant on firms like Veritext or Esquire, typically earn more through per-page transcript fees which range from $3 to $8, depending on urgency. Official court reporters and federal court reporters in Waipahu often have a stable salary dictated by position within the civil service. To maximize pay, it’s critical for court reporters to build expertise in mind-demand specialties like CART, whose live captioning can earn $150-$300 per hour. Embracing these strategies will enhance earning potential in an increasingly competitive job landscape, as professionals navigate both stenographic merit and evolving digital alternatives in court reporting.
More salary data for Waipahu, HI:
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 $71,336 for court reportersin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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