Court Reporter Salary in Pennsylvania: $69,147 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median court reporter pay sits at $69,147/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-3092. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,993 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($74,760), Bethlehem ($65,795), Allentown ($64,230).
In Pennsylvania, the average median salary for court reporters in 2026 is projected to be $69,146, which is approximately 7.5% lower than the national median salary of $74,788. The disparity between Pennsylvania's highest-paying city, Philadelphia, at $77,205, and its lowest, Scranton, at $57,521, underscores the regional variations in demand and living costs. Major urban centers like Philadelphia and Bethlehem generally offer higher salaries due to greater demand for legal services and a larger population. Court reporting in Pennsylvania is influenced by specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which ensure that reporters are well-trained and adhere to state standards. The state's court reporters are required to obtain certification, which establishes a baseline competency in the field. With an employment level of 651 court reporters projected for 2026 and an annual growth rate of 3.27%, there are signs of a stable job market. Demand is driven by ongoing legal proceedings, advancements in technology, and the need for accurate transcription in various legal contexts. Overall, while salaries may be lower compared to national figures, the job outlook remains positive, reflecting a consistent need for skilled court reporters across Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Court Reporter Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $36,501 (lowest entry-level) to $110,117 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania court reporters earn 7.54% less than the national median ($-5,641/year difference).
Pennsylvania Court Reporter Salary Distribution (2026)
Court Reporter salaries in Pennsylvania range from $42,470 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,934 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $69,147. The Pennsylvania median is $5,641 below the US national median of $74,788. The average hourly rate is $33.24/hr. Approximately 651 court reporters are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,574
2025 BLS Actual
$66,957
2026 Current Est.
$69,147
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,477 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,277 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,957 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,147 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,408 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 22.7% from $54,574 (2019) to $66,957 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,834 (30.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Scranton | $57,521 |
| West Chester | $61,847 |
| Pottstown | $62,304 |
| Johnstown | $62,806 |
| State College | $62,996 |
Best Value Cities for Court Reporters in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for court reporters.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $77,205 | 102.554 | $75,282 |
| Bethlehem | $67,946 | 97.4 | $69,760 |
| Pittsburgh | $65,556 | 94.671 | $69,246 |
| Williamsport | $65,441 | 97.4 | $67,188 |
| Harrisburg | $66,062 | 98.65 | $66,966 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,470 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $69,147 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,934 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $77,205 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $67,946 |
| 3 | Allentown | $66,330 |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $66,062 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $65,556 |
| 6 | Williamsport | $65,441 |
| 7 | Easton | $65,192 |
| 8 | Reading | $65,131 |
| 9 | Lebanon | $65,087 |
| 10 | Wilkes-Barre | $65,011 |
| 11 | Erie | $64,802 |
| 12 | Lancaster | $64,462 |
| 13 | Hazleton | $64,108 |
| 14 | Norristown | $63,985 |
| 15 | Chester | $63,836 |
| 16 | Altoona | $63,575 |
| 17 | New Castle | $63,203 |
| 18 | Chambersburg | $63,168 |
| 19 | York | $63,037 |
| 20 | State College | $62,996 |
| 21 | Johnstown | $62,806 |
| 22 | Pottstown | $62,304 |
| 23 | West Chester | $61,847 |
| 24 | Scranton | $57,521 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore court reporter hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced court reporters.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Court Reporter Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for court reporters in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania court reporter pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level court reporter salary in Pennsylvania?
How many court reporters are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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