Court Reporter Salary in Cambridge, MA: $66,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Cambridge, MA earns a median $66,380/year (≈ $31.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $61,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, court reporters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,380, which is lower than the national median of $74,788. The salary range for court reporters in the city varies significantly, from $38,500 at the 10th percentile to $102,889 for the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data that account for regional price disparities. The local job market reflects a structural divide between freelance reporters and official court reporters, with freelance roles often providing more variable income based on per-page rates and client demand. As such, the evolving needs of the court system and the increasing utilization of digital recording technologies may further influence compensation trends in Cambridge.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,793 | $22.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,380 | $31.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,966 | $40.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,889 | $49.47 |
Median Salary Position
11.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,389 (2026 est.). At $66,380, the local median is 11.24% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Court Reporter Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $66,380/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,149 | -18.20% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -11.24% less |
Court Reporters in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $66,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.24% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 18.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,380 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,180 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,370
2025 BLS Actual
$64,278
2026 Current Est.
$66,380
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,728 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,592 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,414 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,278 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,551 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $53,370 (2019) to $64,278 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,551 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,181 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $38,500 – $47,793 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,793 – $66,380 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,380 – $84,966 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,966 – $102,889 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Cambridge
With 22 court reporters currently employed in Cambridge, the local market presents a unique environment for professionals in this field. The region's cost-of-living index stands at 108.5, which is notably above the national average and affects the real value of salaries in terms of purchasing power. Among various employment opportunities, freelance court reporting offers the potential for higher earnings, particularly when working with firms like Veritext, US Legal Support, and Esquire, which often pay per-page for transcripts. Furthermore, those specializing in realtime or CART services can command rates between $150 and $300 per hour for live captioning, significantly enhancing earning potential. To maximize pay, court reporters should consider building relationships with multiple freelance clients, pursuing NCRA certifications, and remaining adaptable to the court system's technological integrations, ensuring their relevance and competitiveness in the evolving landscape of court reporting in Cambridge, MA.
More salary data for Cambridge, 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 $64,278 for court reportersin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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