Court Reporter Salary in Newport, RI: $72,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Newport, RI earns a median $72,257/year (≈ $34.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Newport's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $71,898 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Court reporters in Newport, Rhode Island, are positioned within a market that grapples with a blend of freelance and official reporting structures, impacting their salary dynamics. For 2026, the projected median annual salary stands at $72,257, which, while slightly below the national median of $74,788, reflects the local economic context. The salary spectrum here ranges from $43,350 at the lower end (P10) to $111,998 at the higher end (P90), as estimated through state-level BLS data and regional price adjustments. This framework suggests that Newport's court reporting fees may also be influenced by the area's unique market conditions, as the occupation adjusts to the ongoing evolution in court reporting practices and the competition posed by digital recording methods.
About the Newport Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,350 | $20.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,923 | $25.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,257 | $34.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,489 | $44.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,998 | $53.84 |
Median Salary Position
3.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newport
In Newport, RI, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,648 (2026 est.). At $72,257, the local median is 3.38% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newport Court Reporter Pay Compares
Newport median: $72,257/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $75,189 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -3.38% less |
Court Reporters in Newport, RI earn a median of $72,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.38% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.90% below the Rhode Island state average of $75,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newport has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newport, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,257 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,898 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,095
2025 BLS Actual
$69,969
2026 Current Est.
$72,257
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Newport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,095 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,336 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,409 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,902 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,969 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,620 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newport metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $58,095 (2019) to $69,969 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,620 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,525 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport 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) | $43,350 – $53,923 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,923 – $72,257 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,257 – $92,489 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,489 – $111,998 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Newport
With only six court reporters currently employed in Newport, the market is quite tight, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. The area's cost-of-living index is slightly elevated at 100.5, hinting that those working as court reporters may find their take-home pay stretched thinner than in lower-cost regions. Freelance reporting, which is predominant here, sees pay fluctuations driven by per-page rates and the demand for real-time transcription services. High-end specialties like CART and broadcast captioning can command premium rates, significantly boosting income potential. To maximize their court reporter pay in Newport, professionals should focus on gaining NCRA certifications and developing expertise in real-time capabilities, thereby positioning themselves for the more lucrative segments of the market while navigating the shifts between traditional stenography and digital solutions.
More salary data for Newport, RI:
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 $69,969 for court reportersin the Newport 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 Newport 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