Court Reporter Salary in Peoria, IL: $72,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Peoria, IL earns a median $72,803/year (≈ $35.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Peoria's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $74,977 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Peoria, Illinois, the court reporter salary landscape illustrates a fundamental distinction between freelance and official court reporters, which significantly influences overall pay. The projected 2026 median annual salary is $72,803, slightly below the national median of $74,788, with salaries ranging from $43,793 at the 10th percentile to $112,845 at the 90th percentile. These local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the realities of a job market where both freelance independent court reporting and government positions coexist. This structural divide is notable in a city where the court reporting profession is becoming increasingly competitive, particularly as the shortage of qualified reporters continues to grow.
About the Peoria Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,793 | $21.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,692 | $26.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,803 | $35.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,188 | $44.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,845 | $54.25 |
Median Salary Position
2.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Peoria
In Peoria, IL, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,052 (2026 est.). At $72,803, the local median is 2.65% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Peoria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Peoria Court Reporter Pay Compares
Peoria median: $72,803/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Peoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,586 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | -2.65% less |
Court Reporters in Peoria, IL earn a median of $72,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.65% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.30% above the Illinois state average of $72,586.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Peoria 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.
Peoria, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $72,803 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,977 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,534
2025 BLS Actual
$70,498
2026 Current Est.
$72,803
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,778 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,873 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,243 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,184 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Peoria metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $58,534 (2019) to $70,498 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,184 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,650 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Peoria 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) | $43,793 – $54,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,692 – $72,803 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,803 – $93,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,188 – $112,845 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Peoria
Examining the factors driving court reporter pay in Peoria reveals insights into the local market's dynamics. With only 28 court reporters currently employed in the area, the job market remains somewhat limited. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, which suggests that take-home purchasing power may not stretch as far as in other regions. Among the various employers, freelance court reporters often earn significantly through firms like Veritext and Esquire, while those working in state and federal courts typically follow a structured salary scale. The earnings can vary widely based on the type and volume of work, with per-page rates for transcripts ranging from $3 to $8 and real-time captioning rates commanding between $150 and $300 per hour. For those entering the field or looking to maximize their earnings, specializing in realtime or CART services — which cater to deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals — presents a lucrative opportunity in the Peoria market. Adapting to both the competitive freelance landscape and the structured pay of governmental roles will be vital for aspiring court reporters in this area.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 $70,498 for court reportersin the Peoria 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 Peoria 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