Court Reporter Salary in Chelsea, MA: $80,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Chelsea, MA earns a median $80,402/year (≈ $38.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Chelsea's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $80,402 in 2026, court reporters in Chelsea, MA, find themselves well-compensated compared to their national peers. This figure represents a 7.51% premium over the anticipated national median of $74,788. The salary spectrum is significant, ranging from $47,971 for entry-level positions (P10) to $124,623 at the top end (P90), illustrating the earning potential that varies widely based on experience, specialization, and type of employment. These estimates derive from localized BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, indicating a strong earning trajectory for those who meet the demands of this evolving market. Chelsea's court reporter job market reflects this trend, particularly as the demand for realtime reporting and CART services continues to grow.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,971 | $23.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,869 | $28.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,402 | $38.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,915 | $49.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,623 | $59.92 |
Median Salary Position
7.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelsea
In Chelsea, MA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,652 (2026 est.). At $80,402, the local median is 7.51% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelsea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelsea Court Reporter Pay Compares
Chelsea median: $80,402/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelsea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,132 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +7.51% more |
Court Reporters in Chelsea, MA earn a median of $80,402 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 $81,132.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelsea has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelsea, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,402 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,103 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,643
2025 BLS Actual
$77,856
2026 Current Est.
$80,402
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Chelsea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,288 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,912 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,331 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelsea metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $64,643 (2019) to $77,856 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,388 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelsea 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) | $47,971 – $59,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,869 – $80,402 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,402 – $102,915 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,915 – $124,623 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Chelsea
In Chelsea, the local court reporter job market employs six professionals, highlighting a niche but vital presence in this urban center. The cost of living index in Chelsea stands at 108.5, which is above the national average, emphasizing that compensation must account for living expenses. Reporters working as freelancers often command higher pay rates, especially for realtime services, which can charge $150 to $300 per hour for live captioning. This is in contrast to the official court reporters employed by the state or federal court systems, who adhere to government salary scales. Additionally, engagement strategies such as expanding service offerings to include CART services or broadcast captioning can enhance earning potential, particularly in a market where the industry's traditional stenographic talent is increasingly valuable in face of technological advances and workforce shortages. By focusing on diverse reporting methods and specializations, court reporters in Chelsea can position themselves to maximize their earning capabilities in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Chelsea, 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 $77,856 for court reportersin the Chelsea 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 Chelsea 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