Court Reporter Salary in Westfield, MA: $79,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Westfield, MA earns a median $79,690/year (≈ $38.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Westfield's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $73,447 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Westfield, Massachusetts, court reporter salaries reflect a distinct division between freelance and official court reporting roles. With a median annual salary of $79,690 in 2026, earnings in this profession are projected to range from $46,221 at the 10th percentile to $123,520 at the 90th percentile. According to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, which have been adjusted for regional price levels, this compensation exceeds the national median of $74,788 by 6.55%. The local job market for court reporters appears steady, but opportunities and salary potential can significantly differ between those employed through state court systems and independent contractors who often set their rates.
About the Westfield Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,221 | $22.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,461 | $28.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,004 | $49.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,520 | $59.38 |
Median Salary Position
6.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westfield
In Westfield, MA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,299 (2026 est.). At $79,690, the local median is 6.55% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westfield Court Reporter Pay Compares
Westfield median: $79,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $81,151 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +6.55% more |
Court Reporters in Westfield, MA earn a median of $79,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.55% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.80% below the Massachusetts state average of $81,151.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westfield has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westfield, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,690 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,447 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,071
2025 BLS Actual
$77,167
2026 Current Est.
$79,690
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Westfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,071 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,167 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westfield metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $64,071 (2019) to $77,167 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,225 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westfield 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) | $46,221 – $58,461 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,461 – $79,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,690 – $102,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,004 – $123,520 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Westfield
A total of nine court reporters are employed in Westfield, indicating a competitive but somewhat limited job market. The cost of living index in the area stands at 108.5, slightly above the national average, which impacts take-home purchasing power for court reporters. Freelance positions commonly yield higher pay rates when compared to official positions, especially with firms like Veritext or US Legal Support. Independent contractors often earn between $3 and $8 per page for transcripts, while those who specialize in realtime captioning or CART services can command $150 to $300 per hour. The variation in earnings often stems from the volume of work, type of reporting, and the urgency of delivery. To maximize earning potential, court reporters in Westfield should consider diversifying their services to include realtime reporting and engaging in continuous education to enhance their qualifications, aligning with the growing demand for these specialties in a market facing a chronic workforce shortage.
More salary data for Westfield, 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 $77,167 for court reportersin the Westfield 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 Westfield 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