Court Reporter Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $83,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $83,628/year (≈ $40.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $92,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.7% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in West Des Moines, Iowa, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $83,628 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national median of $74,788. The salary range for court reporters in this area varies from $50,571 at the 10th percentile to $129,623 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for high earnings, especially for those with real-time reporting or CART certification. This figure reflects local estimates derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics state-level data and adjustments for regional economic factors. With an increasing demand for skilled court reporters due to workforce shortages, as indicated by the NCRA’s estimate of a 5,500-reporter gap nationwide, West Des Moines offers promising opportunities for those in the profession.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,571 | $24.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,065 | $29.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,628 | $40.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,043 | $51.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,623 | $62.32 |
Median Salary Position
11.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,052 (2026 est.). At $83,628, the local median is 11.82% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Court Reporter Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $83,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,606 | +23.70% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | +11.82% more |
Court Reporters in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $83,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.82% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 23.70% above the Iowa state average of $67,606.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines 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.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $83,628 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,237
2025 BLS Actual
$80,980
2026 Current Est.
$83,628
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,237 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,073 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,363 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $67,237 (2019) to $80,980 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,363 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,126 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Des Moines 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) | $50,571 – $61,065 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,065 – $83,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,628 – $107,043 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,043 – $129,623 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in West Des Moines
With 16 court reporters currently employed in West Des Moines, the local job market shows a steady demand for skilled reporting professionals. The cost of living index in this city stands at 90.4, suggesting that the purchasing power for court reporters may stretch further than in other areas with higher living costs. Among various employers, freelance court reporting services typically offer the most variability in pay, with rates often ranging from $3 to $8 per page based on demand, while realtime or CART services command premium rates of $150 to $300 per hour when live captioning events. Those who wish to maximize their court reporter pay in West Des Moines should consider obtaining specialized credentials and familiarity with the local market dynamics, as long-term positions within the state or federal court systems may offer more stable salaries compared to freelance opportunities. Understanding the nuances of market demand, including factors that influence salary variations, will ultimately aid in achieving a lucrative career in this evolving field.
More salary data for West Des Moines, 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 $80,980 for court reportersin the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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