Court Reporter Salary in Williston, ND: $65,654 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Williston, ND earns a median $65,654/year (≈ $31.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $71,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Williston, ND, the court reporter salary hinges on the distinction between freelance and official reporting roles, impacting compensation significantly. With a median annual salary projected at $65,654 in 2026, court reporters in this region earn less than the national average of $74,788. Local pay ranges from $40,567 at the lower end (P10) to $101,763 for the highest earners (P90), reflecting the variability in earnings based on experience, type of employment, and demand for services. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, which influences the local market context. Given the current workforce dynamics, including a shortage of qualified reporters as reported by the NCRA, Williston presents unique opportunities for professionals in the field.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,567 | $19.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,866 | $23.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,654 | $31.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,037 | $40.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,763 | $48.93 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,196 (2026 est.). At $65,654, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Court Reporter Pay Compares
Williston median: $65,654/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $68,820 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -12.21% less |
Court Reporters in Williston, ND earn a median of $65,654 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $68,820.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $65,654 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,363 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,786
2025 BLS Actual
$63,575
2026 Current Est.
$65,654
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,786 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,797 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,575 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,654 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,801 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $52,786 (2019) to $63,575 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,015 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $40,567 – $49,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,866 – $65,654 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,654 – $84,037 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,037 – $101,763 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Williston
With only seven court reporters employed in the Williston area, the job market remains tight, offering opportunities yet posing challenges for job seekers. The cost of living index at 92 suggests that expenses for residents are below the national average, potentially enhancing purchasing power for court reporters in this locale. While independent court reporters commonly secure work through firms like Veritext and US Legal Support, official and federal positions within the court system tend to offer more stable salaries. The wide pay range can be attributed to several factors, including differences in freelance transcript rates, which vary from $3 to $8 per page, and higher premiums for realtime and CART services that can command fees of $150-$300 per hour. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, honing skills in realtime and CART services, along with securing a steady flow of freelance assignments, will be essential strategies within the Williston market.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 $63,575 for court reportersin the Williston 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 Williston 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