Court Reporter Salary in North Carolina: $70,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median court reporter pay sits at $70,293/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-3092. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,099 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($71,519), Winston-Salem ($70,251), Durham ($69,849).
In 2026, court reporters in North Carolina are projected to earn an average median salary of $70,293, which is approximately 6.0% lower than the national median of $74,788. Raleigh stands as the highest-paying city in the state, offering a salary of $73,858, while Gastonia reports the lowest at $64,522, highlighting a salary gap of $9,336. This variance can be attributed to factors such as local demand for court reporting services, population size, and the concentration of legal professionals in urban areas. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements for court reporters, which include passing a state exam to practice legally. Additionally, laws dictating the scope of practice can influence earning potential, as regions with higher demand for court reporting typically offer better pay. The job market for court reporters shows a strong outlook, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.27%, driven by an increasing reliance on transcription services in legal proceedings. Key cities for court reporters in 2026 include Winston-Salem with a salary of $72,548, Durham at $72,133, Greensboro at $72,064, and Fayetteville offering $71,234. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring court reporters make informed career decisions in North Carolina.
North Carolina Court Reporter Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $36,382 (lowest entry-level) to $114,479 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina court reporters earn 6.01% less than the national median ($-4,495/year difference).
North Carolina Court Reporter Salary Distribution (2026)
Court Reporter salaries in North Carolina range from $41,345 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $108,720 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $70,293. The North Carolina median is $4,495 below the US national median of $74,788. The average hourly rate is $33.79/hr. Approximately 776 court reporters are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,640
2025 BLS Actual
$68,067
2026 Current Est.
$70,293
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,416 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,067 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 10.4% from $61,640 (2019) to $68,067 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,952 (17.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Best Value Cities for Court Reporters in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for court reporters.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | $73,858 | 93.6 | $78,908 |
| Winston-Salem | $72,548 | 93.6 | $77,509 |
| Durham | $72,133 | 93.6 | $77,065 |
| Greensboro | $72,064 | 93.6 | $76,991 |
| Fayetteville | $71,234 | 93.6 | $76,105 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,345 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $70,293 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $108,720 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $73,858 |
| 2 | Winston-Salem | $72,548 |
| 3 | Durham | $72,133 |
| 4 | Greensboro | $72,064 |
| 5 | Fayetteville | $71,234 |
| 6 | Huntersville | $70,751 |
| 7 | Kannapolis | $70,641 |
| 8 | Apex | $70,475 |
| 9 | Cary | $70,365 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $70,346 |
| 11 | Wilmington | $69,970 |
| 12 | Chapel Hill | $69,881 |
| 13 | High Point | $69,613 |
| 14 | Statesville | $69,420 |
| 15 | Kernersville | $69,360 |
| 16 | Matthews | $69,197 |
| 17 | Cornelius | $69,077 |
| 18 | Sanford | $69,017 |
| 19 | Wake Forest | $69,016 |
| 20 | Morrisville | $68,985 |
| 21 | Fuquay-Varina | $68,801 |
| 22 | Salisbury | $68,789 |
| 23 | Thomasville | $68,676 |
| 24 | New Bern | $68,649 |
| 25 | Mint Hill | $68,632 |
| 26 | Burlington | $68,584 |
| 27 | Hickory | $68,474 |
| 28 | Greenville | $68,368 |
| 29 | Asheville | $68,284 |
| 30 | Rocky Mount | $67,990 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $67,546 |
| 32 | Mooresville | $67,334 |
| 33 | Monroe | $67,306 |
| 34 | Garner | $67,154 |
| 35 | Wilson | $67,106 |
| 36 | Concord | $67,006 |
| 37 | Boone | $66,815 |
| 38 | Indian Trail | $66,236 |
| 39 | Carrboro | $65,978 |
| 40 | Charlotte | $65,928 |
| 41 | Leland | $65,004 |
| 42 | Pinehurst | $64,882 |
| 43 | Gastonia | $64,522 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore court reporter hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced court reporters.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Court Reporter Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for court reporters in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina court reporter pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level court reporter salary in North Carolina?
How many court reporters are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for court reporters?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 court reporter compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more court reporterscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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