Court Reporter Salary in Amherst, MA: $80,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Amherst, MA earns a median $80,408/year (≈ $38.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,109 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Amherst, Massachusetts, the financial prospects for court reporters appear promising, with a median annual salary projected at $80,408 for 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $74,788, reflecting a localized market adjustment. Salaries in Amherst vary significantly, ranging from the lower 10th percentile at $46,637 to the upper 90th percentile at $124,632. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, suggest that the economics of court reporting in this area are closely tied to the volume of depositions and cases handled. Given the increasing demand for skilled court reporters amidst a nationwide workforce shortage, job seekers in Amherst MA may find ample opportunities to leverage their skills for better compensation.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,637 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,993 | $30.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,408 | $38.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,922 | $49.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,632 | $59.92 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,995 (2026 est.). At $80,408, the local median is 7.51% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Court Reporter Pay Compares
Amherst median: $80,408/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,138 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +7.51% more |
Court Reporters in Amherst, MA earn a median of $80,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.51% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,138.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,408 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,109 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,648
2025 BLS Actual
$77,862
2026 Current Est.
$80,408
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,648 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,293 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,336 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,745 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,861 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,037 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $64,648 (2019) to $77,862 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,037 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,389 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $46,637 – $62,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,993 – $80,408 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,408 – $102,922 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,922 – $124,632 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Amherst
Employment in Amherst is limited, with only six court reporters currently in the area, indicating a niche but vital market that demands high-quality service. The region's cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, slightly above the national average, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, take-home pay must align with local expenses. Court reporters pursuing freelance opportunities through firms such as Veritext and Esquire may earn more per page compared to official state court reporters, particularly if they focus on realtime and CART services, which command higher hourly rates. Factors influencing the broad salary range include transcript rates for deposition work, with freelancers charging between $3 to $8 per page, complemented by the lucrative opportunities in live captioning where rates can reach $150 to $300 per hour. For those looking to maximize their court reporter pay in Amherst, building a strong freelance client base while obtaining certifications such as RPR can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
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 $77,862 for court reportersin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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