Court Reporter Salary in Louisiana: $72,031 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median court reporter pay sits at $72,031/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-3092. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $79,769 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($76,257), New Orleans ($75,980), Baton Rouge ($74,630).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for court reporters is projected to be $72,031 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $74,788, reflecting a difference of 3.7%. The highest paying city in the state is Metairie, offering an average salary of $78,751, while Thibodaux features the lowest at $62,148—indicating a salary gap of $16,603. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for court reporting services, cost of living, and the concentration of legal work within metropolitan areas. The job market for court reporters in Louisiana is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.27%, indicating a consistent demand for professionals in this field. Important to note are Louisiana's specific licensing requirements, which necessitate the completion of a postsecondary program and passing of certification exams to practice in the state. Additionally, scope of practice laws define the roles and responsibilities of court reporters, impacting the market dynamics and job availability. Key cities with higher salaries, such as New Orleans at $78,465 and Baton Rouge at $77,070, showcase a concentration of legal proceedings, further driving demand for skilled reporters. In contrast, cities like Lafayette and Shreveport, with salaries of $69,319 and $67,971 respectively, reflect different economic conditions that affect earning potential. Overall, the outlook for court reporters in Louisiana remains positive with ongoing opportunities for employment and career advancement.
Louisiana Court Reporter Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $30,196 (lowest entry-level) to $122,063 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana court reporters earn 3.69% less than the national median ($-2,757/year difference).
Louisiana Court Reporter Salary Distribution (2026)
Court Reporter salaries in Louisiana range from $39,497 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,844 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $72,031. The Louisiana median is $2,757 below the US national median of $74,788. The average hourly rate is $34.63/hr. Approximately 324 court reporters are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,230
2025 BLS Actual
$69,750
2026 Current Est.
$72,031
2019–2027 Growth
+39.7%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,732 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,031 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 31.0% from $53,230 (2019) to $69,750 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,157 (39.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $62,148 |
| Sulphur | $62,448 |
| Zachary | $62,809 |
| Natchitoches | $63,108 |
| Hammond | $63,458 |
Best Value Cities for Court Reporters in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for court reporters.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie | $78,751 | 90.3 | $87,210 |
| Baton Rouge | $77,070 | 90.78 | $84,898 |
| New Orleans | $78,465 | 92.597 | $84,738 |
| Lafayette | $69,319 | 90.3 | $76,765 |
| Shreveport | $67,971 | 90.3 | $75,272 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,497 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $72,031 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,844 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $78,751 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $78,465 |
| 3 | Baton Rouge | $77,070 |
| 4 | Lafayette | $69,319 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $67,971 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $66,658 |
| 7 | Kenner | $66,165 |
| 8 | Bossier City | $65,796 |
| 9 | Slidell | $65,609 |
| 10 | Houma | $65,342 |
| 11 | Monroe | $65,122 |
| 12 | Ruston | $64,941 |
| 13 | Central | $64,876 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $64,551 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $63,975 |
| 16 | Hammond | $63,458 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $63,108 |
| 18 | Zachary | $62,809 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $62,448 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $62,148 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore court reporter hourly pay in Louisiana 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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for court reporters in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana court reporter pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level court reporter salary in Louisiana?
How many court reporters are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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, 7-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