Court Reporter Salary in Rockford, IL: $72,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Rockford, IL earns a median $72,029/year (≈ $34.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $74,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a court reporter in Rockford, Illinois, can expect an annual salary averaging $72,029, which reflects the local market's specialty premium, particularly for those certified in realtime reporting or CART. The salary spectrum ranges considerably, from $42,062 for entry-level positions to as high as $111,644 for the most experienced professionals. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and regional cost of living adjustments, indicate a market where the opportunities for skilled court reporters remain competitive. Rockford's job landscape has a unique context, influenced by both the demand for skilled stenographers and the prevalence of digital alternatives, which are reshaping income potentials in official reporting roles.
About the Rockford Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,062 | $20.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,207 | $25.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,029 | $34.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,196 | $44.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,644 | $53.68 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,582 (2026 est.). At $72,029, the local median is 3.69% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Court Reporter Pay Compares
Rockford median: $72,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $72,610 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -3.69% less |
Court Reporters in Rockford, IL earn a median of $72,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $72,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford 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.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $72,029 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,180 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,911
2025 BLS Actual
$69,748
2026 Current Est.
$72,029
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,911 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,385 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,748 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,384 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $57,911 (2019) to $69,748 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,384 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,473 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $42,062 – $53,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,207 – $72,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,029 – $92,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,196 – $111,644 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Rockford
The local court reporter job market is composed of approximately 34 professionals, illustrating a modest yet vital workforce contributing to the legal system in Rockford. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, salaries are slightly below the national average, yet they still provide reasonable purchasing power for residents. Among the highest-paying employers in Rockford are firms that contract freelance court reporters, where earnings can vary based on a per-page fee that ranges from $3 to $8, depending on the urgency of the transcripts required. Specialized roles such as CART providers and broadcast captioners also command higher rates, with potential hourly compensations reaching up to $300 during live captioning. To enhance earnings, aspiring reporters should focus on obtaining RPR or CRR certifications, as these qualifications not only elevate marketability but also allow professionals to tap into the lucrative realtime reporting sector.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $69,748 for court reportersin the Rockford 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 Rockford 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