Court Reporter Salary in Rock Island, IL: $70,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Rock Island, IL earns a median $70,579/year (≈ $33.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Rock Island's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $72,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career in court reporting within Rock Island, Illinois, the median annual salary of $70,579 offers competitive compensation compared to the national average of $74,788. The local salary range varies significantly, spanning from $40,936 at the 10th percentile to $109,397 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variances. In Rock Island, a notable divide exists between freelance and official court reporters, impacting overall income potential based on the chosen employment path and clientele. This dynamic creates opportunities for professionals to navigate the local job market strategically.
About the Rock Island Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,936 | $19.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,175 | $26.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,579 | $33.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,341 | $43.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,397 | $52.60 |
Median Salary Position
5.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rock Island
In Rock Island, IL, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,461 (2026 est.). At $70,579, the local median is 5.63% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rock Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rock Island Court Reporter Pay Compares
Rock Island median: $70,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rock Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,612 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -5.63% less |
Court Reporters in Rock Island, IL earn a median of $70,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.63% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 2.80% below the Illinois state average of $72,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rock Island 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.
Rock Island, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $70,579 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,746
2025 BLS Actual
$68,344
2026 Current Est.
$70,579
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Rock Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,982 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,983 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,887 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rock Island metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $56,746 (2019) to $68,344 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,887 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,141 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rock Island 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) | $40,936 – $55,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,175 – $70,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,579 – $90,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,341 – $109,397 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Rock Island
The job market for court reporters in Rock Island is relatively small, with just five employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, take-home purchasing power is slightly improved compared to national averages, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Freelance roles dominate, often offering more flexibility and higher earnings potential through per-page rates or hourly fees for CART services. Employers vary widely, with independent firms like Veritext and US Legal Support typically commanding the highest pay among freelancers. In contrast, state and federal court reporters may work under standardized pay scales. Close attention to market demands, especially in realtime and CART services, can enhance income prospects significantly, making ongoing education and certification in these specialties highly valuable for maximizing court reporter pay in Rock Island, IL.
More salary data for Rock Island, 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 $68,344 for court reportersin the Rock Island 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 Rock Island 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