Court Reporter Salary in Joliet, IL: $72,152 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Joliet, IL earns a median $72,152/year (≈ $34.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $74,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For court reporters in Joliet, Illinois, the anticipated median annual salary in 2026 is set at $72,152. This figure reveals a slight discrepancy when compared to the national median of $74,788. The salary ranges widely in this field, from $42,395 at the lower end (10th percentile) to a top rate of $111,835 (90th percentile), which underscores the earning potential depending on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from state-level data based on 2025 BLS figures and regional cost adjustments, reflect the overall competitive nature of the job market. In particular, court reporters who achieve certifications such as CRR can command a premium for realtime and CART services, further highlighting the dynamics at play within Joliet's occupational landscape.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,395 | $20.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,441 | $25.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,152 | $34.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,354 | $44.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,835 | $53.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,440 (2026 est.). At $72,152, the local median is 3.52% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Court Reporter Pay Compares
Joliet median: $72,152/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,587 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -3.52% less |
Court Reporters in Joliet, IL earn a median of $72,152 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.52% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $72,587.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $72,152 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,010
2025 BLS Actual
$69,867
2026 Current Est.
$72,152
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,486 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,251 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,319 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,462 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,152 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $58,010 (2019) to $69,867 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,501 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $42,395 – $53,441 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,441 – $72,152 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,152 – $92,354 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,354 – $111,835 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Joliet
The local job market features about 25 court reporters, indicating a niche yet specialized workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, Joliet offers a relatively affordable environment that can enhance take-home purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Freelance court reporters typically glean higher compensation, primarily through per-page rates that range between $3 to $8, depending on urgency, while realtime and CART professionals can earn an impressive $150 to $300 per hour for live captioning. Official state and federal court reporters usually follow a set salary scale, which is influenced by civil service guidelines. Given the ongoing shortage of court reporters highlighted by NCRA, those who are proactive in enhancing their qualifications and focusing on competitive specialties are likely to maximize their court reporter pay in Joliet IL.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $69,867 for court reportersin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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