Court Reporter Salary in North Charleston, SC: $70,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in North Charleston, SC earns a median $70,589/year (≈ $33.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in North Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $77,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter salary in North Charleston, SC, is projected to reach a median of $70,589 annually. The compensation range reflects a wide disparity, with earnings ranging from $40,941 at the 10th percentile to $109,414 at the 90th percentile. These figures serve as local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Given the nature of court reporting, per-page transcript economics significantly influence income. As deposition volumes fluctuate, so too does effective compensation, making the local market both competitive and dynamic for court reporters aiming to maximize their earnings.
About the North Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,941 | $19.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,908 | $25.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,589 | $33.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,354 | $43.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,414 | $52.61 |
Median Salary Position
5.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Charleston
In North Charleston, SC, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,473 (2026 est.). At $70,589, the local median is 5.61% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Charleston Court Reporter Pay Compares
North Charleston median: $70,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $68,400 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | -5.61% less |
Court Reporters in North Charleston, SC earn a median of $70,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.61% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $68,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Charleston has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
North Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $70,589 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,146 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,754
2025 BLS Actual
$68,354
2026 Current Est.
$70,589
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in North Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,754 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,198 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,991 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,354 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Charleston metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $56,754 (2019) to $68,354 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,143 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Charleston 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) | $40,941 – $53,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,908 – $70,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,589 – $90,354 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,354 – $109,414 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in North Charleston
The job market for court reporters in North Charleston currently employs 22 individuals, reflecting a robust but niche demand within the legal sector. With a cost of living index of 91.5, the purchasing power of salaries in this area is notably enhanced compared to national averages. Freelance court reporters, who often book through firms such as Veritext and US Legal Support, are typically among the highest earners, especially for real-time services and CART providers, which can yield substantial hourly rates of $150 to $300. Factors driving the salary spectrum include the type of employment, page volume for depositions, and the premium for realtime and CART work. By focusing on high-demand specialties and seeking contracts with reputable firms, aspiring court reporters can better navigate the local market to achieve favorable pay outcomes.
More salary data for North Charleston, SC:
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 $68,354 for court reportersin the North Charleston 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 North Charleston 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