Court Reporter Salary in Dayton, OH: $66,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Dayton, OH earns a median $66,902/year (≈ $32.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $73,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the median annual court reporter salary in Dayton, Ohio, is projected to be $66,902, reflecting the local market's unique dynamics when compared to the national median of $74,788. Salaries for court reporters in this region range from $38,804 at the lower end to an impressive $103,699 for those at the higher end of the market spectrum. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, which often results in a more favorable compensation landscape for professionals focused on realtime translation and CART services. Mastering these skills, particularly those leading to CRR certification, can markedly enhance earning potential and job security, given the continued demand for stenographic services amidst a national shortage of qualified court reporters.
About the Dayton Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,804 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,981 | $23.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,902 | $32.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,636 | $41.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,699 | $49.86 |
Median Salary Position
10.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,895 (2026 est.). At $66,902, the local median is 10.54% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Court Reporter Pay Compares
Dayton median: $66,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $67,852 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -10.54% less |
Court Reporters in Dayton, OH earn a median of $66,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.40% below the Ohio state average of $67,852.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $66,902 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,762 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,790
2025 BLS Actual
$64,784
2026 Current Est.
$66,902
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,674 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $53,790 (2019) to $64,784 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,300 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $38,804 – $48,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,981 – $66,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,902 – $85,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,636 – $103,699 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Dayton
The job market for court reporters in Dayton is relatively stable, with 33 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index sits at 90.7, which is below the national average, positively impacting take-home income and purchasing power for those working in the field. Among local employers, freelance reporting roles through firms like Veritext and Esquire often yield the highest pay rates, driven by per-page transcript fees and real-time captioning premiums that can range from $150 to $300 per hour. Understanding the compensation spectrum—from freelance per-page rates to the official salaries of state and federal court reporters—can provide strategic insight for advancing within this market. Positioning oneself to capitalize on CART services or enhancing a skill set to adapt to evolving technology, such as digital recording, can also be advantageous as the profession continues to navigate its challenges and opportunities in Dayton, OH.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
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 $64,784 for court reportersin the Dayton 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 Dayton 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