Court Reporter Salary in Middletown, NJ: $78,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Middletown, NJ earns a median $78,387/year (≈ $37.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $68,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, court reporters in Middletown, New Jersey, can expect a median annual salary of $78,387, which is slightly above the national median of $74,788, showcasing a healthy local market for this profession. The salary range for court reporters here is notably broad, spanning from $48,325 at the 10th percentile to $121,500 at the 90th percentile. These figures are informed by estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. For those gaining additional certifications, such as the Realtime Certified Reporter (CRR), potential increases in earnings through the specialty premium significantly enhance overall court reporter pay in Middletown, NJ.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,325 | $23.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,646 | $28.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,387 | $37.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,335 | $48.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,500 | $58.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, NJ, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,175 (2026 est.). At $78,387, the local median is 4.81% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Court Reporter Pay Compares
Middletown median: $78,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $79,581 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +4.81% more |
Court Reporters in Middletown, NJ earn a median of $78,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.81% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $79,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,387 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,044 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,024
2025 BLS Actual
$75,905
2026 Current Est.
$78,387
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,286 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,619 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,905 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,950 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $63,024 (2019) to $75,905 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,926 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $48,325 – $59,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,646 – $78,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,387 – $100,335 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,335 – $121,500 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Middletown
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 15 court reporters employed in Middletown, indicating a modest yet stable demand for these professionals. However, the cost of living index for the area stands at 115.2, suggesting that expenses are higher than the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Freelance and independent court reporters, who typically earn per-page rates, can influence overall pay; employers like Veritext and US Legal Support are common sources of work. The remuneration varies widely depending on specialization, with realtime and CART services fetching premium rates between $150 and $300 per hour. Consequently, those committed to furthering their skills and certifications in realtime reporting or focusing on high-demand areas may maximize their earning potential more effectively in this evolving market.
More salary data for Middletown, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Middletown, NJ in 2026?
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Can court reporters make $100K in Middletown?
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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 $75,905 for court reportersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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