Court Reporter Salary in Waukee, IA: $64,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Waukee, IA earns a median $64,683/year (≈ $31.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Waukee's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukee, Iowa, court reporters earn a median annual salary of $64,683, which reflects a notable discrepancy when compared to the national median of $74,788. The salary range is quite broad, extending from $39,207 at the lower tenth percentile to $100,259 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments, providing an insightful snapshot of local compensation trends. Court reporters specializing in realtime and CART services often command higher rates, which can significantly influence overall earnings. As Waukee continues to develop and attract attention, the demand for skilled court reporters remains promising, creating potential opportunities for those entering the field.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,207 | $18.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,632 | $23.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,683 | $31.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,795 | $39.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,259 | $48.21 |
Median Salary Position
13.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukee
In Waukee, IA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,052 (2026 est.). At $64,683, the local median is 13.51% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukee Court Reporter Pay Compares
Waukee median: $64,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,590 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -13.51% less |
Court Reporters in Waukee, IA earn a median of $64,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.51% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $67,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukee has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waukee, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $64,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,006
2025 BLS Actual
$62,635
2026 Current Est.
$64,683
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,006 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,972 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukee metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $52,006 (2019) to $62,635 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,792 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukee 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) | $39,207 – $48,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,632 – $64,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,683 – $82,795 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,795 – $100,259 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Waukee
Examining the local job market, Waukee currently employs four court reporters, suggesting a niche yet foundational presence for this profession within the community. The cost of living index sits at 90.4, meaning that the purchasing power for court reporter salaries in Waukee is somewhat favorable compared to many urban areas. Those working for freelance firms, such as Veritext or Esquire, typically benefit from higher earning potential due to per-page fees that range from $3 to $8, depending on urgency and complexity. Official court reporters and federal court reporters may find more stable employment, yet their pay often aligns with a civil service scale that does not account for the premium associated with realtime or CART work, which can reach $150 to $300 per hour. Maximizing earnings in Waukee might involve acquiring the CRR designation, leveraging the town's growth to establish a reputation that can secure higher-paying engagements.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
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 $62,635 for court reportersin the Waukee 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 Waukee 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