Court Reporter Salary in Kansas: $67,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median court reporter pay sits at $67,604/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-3092. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,372 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wichita ($67,200), Kansas City ($66,911), Overland Park ($66,906).
In Kansas, court reporters earn an average median salary of $67,604, which is approximately 9.6% lower than the national median of $74,788. Wichita is the highest-paying city in the state, offering salaries around $69,397, while Emporia has the lowest at $62,761, indicating a salary gap of $6,636. This disparity is driven by factors such as local demand for court reporting services, the presence of courts and law firms, and population density. To work as a court reporter in Kansas, professionals must meet state licensing requirements, which enhance job security and credibility in the field. The state's scope of practice laws typically empower reporters to handle a variety of legal proceedings, further increasing the demand for this profession. With a projected growth rate of 3.27% annually, the job market for court reporters in Kansas shows positive signs. Top cities projected for 2026 salaries include Kansas City at $69,099, Overland Park at $69,094, Lawrence at $68,743, and Topeka at $68,637. Overall, Kansas maintains a stable job outlook for court reporters, making it a viable option for those entering the profession.
Kansas Court Reporter Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $21,088 (lowest entry-level) to $107,103 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas court reporters earn 9.61% less than the national median ($-7,184/year difference).
Kansas Court Reporter Salary Distribution (2026)
Court Reporter salaries in Kansas range from $38,184 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,494 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,604. The Kansas median is $7,184 below the US national median of $74,788. The average hourly rate is $32.50/hr. Approximately 278 court reporters are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,260
2025 BLS Actual
$65,463
2026 Current Est.
$67,604
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,454 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,798 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,761 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,814 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 12.4% from $58,260 (2019) to $65,463 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,554 (19.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $62,761 |
| Gardner | $63,042 |
| Liberal | $63,406 |
| Hays | $63,650 |
| Prairie Village | $63,839 |
Best Value Cities for Court Reporters in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for court reporters.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $69,397 | 88.946 | $78,021 |
| Kansas City | $69,099 | 90.9 | $76,017 |
| Overland Park | $69,094 | 90.9 | $76,011 |
| Lawrence | $68,743 | 90.9 | $75,625 |
| Topeka | $68,637 | 90.9 | $75,508 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,184 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,604 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $101,494 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita | $69,397 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $69,099 |
| 3 | Overland Park | $69,094 |
| 4 | Lawrence | $68,743 |
| 5 | Topeka | $68,637 |
| 6 | Manhattan | $68,361 |
| 7 | Olathe | $68,215 |
| 8 | Lenexa | $68,049 |
| 9 | Garden City | $67,374 |
| 10 | Derby | $67,038 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $66,505 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $66,484 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $66,271 |
| 14 | Salina | $65,782 |
| 15 | Leawood | $65,418 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $64,316 |
| 17 | Junction City | $64,111 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $63,839 |
| 19 | Hays | $63,650 |
| 20 | Liberal | $63,406 |
| 21 | Gardner | $63,042 |
| 22 | Emporia | $62,761 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore court reporter hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced court reporters.
Explore More Court Reporter Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for court reporters in Kansas?
How does Kansas court reporter pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level court reporter salary in Kansas?
How many court reporters are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for court reporters?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 court reporter compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more court reporterscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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