Court Reporter Salary in Arlington, MA: $79,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Arlington, MA earns a median $79,936/year (≈ $38.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,674 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Arlington, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $79,936 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national figure of $74,788. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $46,997 at the 10th percentile to $123,901 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant disparity based on experience and job type. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicating a healthy compensation landscape for court reporters. The structural split between freelance and official court reporters greatly influences earnings potential, as many court reporters choose to work independently for firms, which may yield higher pay based on per-page rates and specialty services.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,997 | $22.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,945 | $28.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,936 | $38.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,318 | $49.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,901 | $59.57 |
Median Salary Position
6.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,904 (2026 est.). At $79,936, the local median is 6.88% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Court Reporter Pay Compares
Arlington median: $79,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,153 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +6.88% more |
Court Reporters in Arlington, MA earn a median of $79,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.88% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,936 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,674 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,269
2025 BLS Actual
$77,405
2026 Current Est.
$79,936
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,536 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,935 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,405 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $64,269 (2019) to $77,405 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,281 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $46,997 – $58,945 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,945 – $79,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,936 – $102,318 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,318 – $123,901 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Arlington
In assessing the job market for court reporting in Arlington, only nine court reporters are currently employed, suggesting a niche field with limited competition yet holding strategic opportunities for those certified in the profession. The cost of living index in the area is 108.5, indicating higher expenses than the national average, which may affect take-home pay. Freelance relationships often bring the highest returns; organizations like Veritext and US Legal Support hire independent court reporters frequently. Additionally, those specializing in realtime CAPT and CART services can demand premiums that significantly elevate earnings, sometimes charging rates as high as $300 per hour. Maximizing income in this sector involves building a robust freelance clientele and obtaining relevant certifications, such as the RPR or RMR, to leverage higher pay scales within the evolving digital recording landscape.
More salary data for Arlington, 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 $77,405 for court reportersin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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