Court Reporter Salary in Portland, OR: $77,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Portland, OR earns a median $77,876/year (≈ $37.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Portland's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $75,903 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portland, Oregon, a court reporter can expect to earn a median annual salary of $77,876 in 2026, which represents a modest increase compared to the national median of $74,788. The salary spectrum for court reporters ranges significantly, with the lowest 10% earning about $45,168 and the highest 90% making around $120,708. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight the financial opportunities within this profession. Given the chronic shortage of court reporters in the workforce, as indicated by the NCRA's estimate of a 5,500-reporter gap, those with specialized credentials such as the CRR can command higher wages, particularly in realtime and CART services, which further enhances earning potential in Portland's competitive market.
About the Portland Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,168 | $21.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,573 | $27.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,876 | $37.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,681 | $47.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,708 | $58.04 |
Median Salary Position
4.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,540 (2026 est.). At $77,876, the local median is 4.13% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Court Reporter Pay Compares
Portland median: $77,876/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $72,174 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | +4.13% more |
Court Reporters in Portland, OR earn a median of $77,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.13% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 7.90% above the Oregon state average of $72,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,876 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,903 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,613
2025 BLS Actual
$75,410
2026 Current Est.
$77,876
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,613 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,206 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,873 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,184 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,268 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,422 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $62,613 (2019) to $75,410 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,809 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $45,168 – $56,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,573 – $77,876 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,876 – $99,681 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,681 – $120,708 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Portland
For court reporters in Portland, the job climate remains robust, with around 115 professionals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living index stands at 102.6, reflecting a slightly above-average living expense in the area, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. The highest salaries are typically found among freelance court reporters affiliated with services like Veritext and US Legal Support, as well as in specialized roles such as CART providers and broadcast captioners. The pay gap between the lower and upper ends of the salary range is influenced by various factors, including per-page transcript rates for freelancers, which fluctuate between $3 and $8, and the premium commanded by realtime and CART services, ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. Understanding these dynamics and focusing on developing specialties in realtime reporting or CART can serve as effective strategies for maximizing income in the Portland market.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $75,410 for court reportersin the Portland 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 Portland 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