Court Reporter Salary in Hoffman Estates, IL: $72,351 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Hoffman Estates, IL earns a median $72,351/year (≈ $34.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Hoffman Estates's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $74,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter salary in Hoffman Estates, IL, is projected to be $72,351 annually. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $74,788, highlighting a competitive landscape locally. Throughout the region, salaries can vary significantly, with the lowest earners making around $41,964 and the top-tier professionals earning approximately $112,144. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect the ongoing divide between freelance court reporters and those employed in official capacities. The job market for court reporters in Hoffman Estates shows promise, particularly as demand for qualified stenographers continues to rise amidst a nationwide shortage.
About the Hoffman Estates Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,964 | $20.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,092 | $25.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,351 | $34.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,609 | $44.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,144 | $53.92 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hoffman Estates
In Hoffman Estates, IL, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,180 (2026 est.). At $72,351, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hoffman Estates: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hoffman Estates Court Reporter Pay Compares
Hoffman Estates median: $72,351/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hoffman Estates Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,642 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -3.26% less |
Court Reporters in Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $72,351 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $72,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hoffman Estates has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hoffman Estates, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $72,351 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,512 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,171
2025 BLS Actual
$70,060
2026 Current Est.
$72,351
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,171 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,412 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,856 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,653 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,351 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $58,171 (2019) to $70,060 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,546 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hoffman Estates 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) | $41,964 – $52,092 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,092 – $72,351 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,351 – $92,609 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,609 – $112,144 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Hoffman Estates
Considering the local dynamics, only eight court reporters are currently employed in Hoffman Estates, indicating a niche but essential market. The cost of living index at 97.1 suggests that, despite the comparatively lower salaries, reporters can maintain decent purchasing power. Freelance reporters often earn more through per-page transcript rates, ranging widely based on urgency; meanwhile, official court reporters benefit from stable salaries based on civil service scales. Those working in specialized areas like realtime captioning or CART services can command higher rates, sometimes between $150 and $300 per hour. To maximize their earning potential, court reporters in Hoffman Estates should focus on expanding their skill sets, considering the market demand for realtime reporting and exploring freelance opportunities to negotiate better pay.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, IL:
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 $70,060 for court reportersin the Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates 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