Court Reporter Salary in Ashland, KY: $63,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Ashland, KY earns a median $63,535/year (≈ $30.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $71,148 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for court reporters in Ashland, Kentucky, is estimated at $63,535, which reflects a notable 15.05% lower than the national median of $74,788. The salary range for local court reporters varies significantly, spanning from $37,889 at the 10th percentile to $98,479 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost variations, indicate considerable potential within the profession, despite the fiscal challenges in local market contexts. As Ashland continues to rely on a blend of official and freelance court reporters, the variation in pay can impact job attractiveness, especially given the limited number of employed court reporters in the area.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,889 | $18.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,315 | $22.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,535 | $30.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,324 | $39.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,479 | $47.35 |
Median Salary Position
15.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,590 (2026 est.). At $63,535, the local median is 15.05% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland Court Reporter Pay Compares
Ashland median: $63,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $66,808 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -15.05% less |
Court Reporters in Ashland, KY earn a median of $63,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.90% below the Kentucky state average of $66,808.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $63,535 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,148 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,082
2025 BLS Actual
$61,523
2026 Current Est.
$63,535
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,082 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,382 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,295 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,476 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,523 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $51,082 (2019) to $61,523 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,530 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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) | $37,889 – $47,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,315 – $63,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,535 – $81,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,324 – $98,479 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Ashland
With only four court reporters employed in Ashland, the local job market remains tight yet offers unique opportunities for those in the field. The cost-of-living index of 89.3 suggests that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power for court reporters can be relatively favorable. Employers with the highest pay opportunities generally include federal court systems and specialized freelance services, particularly for realtime and CART providers, where rates can significantly elevate earnings. The wage disparity stems from varied compensation structures: freelance reporters often make between $3-$8 per page, while realtime captioners can command $150-$300 per hour. For those seeking to maximize their court reporter pay in Ashland, emphasizing realtime skills or pursuing certifications such as the RPR can be key strategies for accessing the higher-end salary ranges in this evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $61,523 for court reportersin the Ashland 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 Ashland 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