Court Reporter Salary in Vermillion, SD: $49,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Vermillion, SD earns a median $49,027/year (≈ $23.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Vermillion's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $52,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter salary in Vermillion, South Dakota, reaches a median annual figure of $49,027, which reflects a notable disparity compared to the national median of $74,788. Court reporters in this region earn between $31,167 at the lower end of the pay spectrum and up to $75,992 for those in the highest percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight both the opportunities and limitations within Vermillion's job market. As court reporting increasingly pivots toward specialization, the potential for earning a premium through realtime and CART services can significantly influence individual compensation, making skilled reporters with those credentials more competitive in this evolving industry.
About the Vermillion Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,167 | $14.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,027 | $23.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,755 | $30.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,992 | $36.54 |
Median Salary Position
34.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vermillion
In Vermillion, SD, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,825 (2026 est.). At $49,027, the local median is 34.45% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vermillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vermillion Court Reporter Pay Compares
Vermillion median: $49,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vermillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $53,060 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -34.45% less |
Court Reporters in Vermillion, SD earn a median of $49,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.45% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $53,060.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vermillion has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vermillion, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $49,027 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,831 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,418
2025 BLS Actual
$47,475
2026 Current Est.
$49,027
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Vermillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,418 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,421 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,667 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,916 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,857 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,631 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermillion metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $39,418 (2019) to $47,475 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,631 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,213 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermillion 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) | $31,167 – $37,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,760 – $49,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,027 – $62,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,755 – $75,992 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Vermillion
Examining the local job market reveals that only six court reporters are currently employed in Vermillion, reinforcing the notion of a tight-knit professional community. Factoring in the town’s cost of living, which boasts a lower index of 92.8, gives court reporters in this area a relatively strong purchasing power. Freelance opportunities dominate, with many finding work through firms like Veritext, US Legal Support, and Esquire, while official court reporters are typically part of the state court system. The variation in salaries within this profession often stems from factors like the volume of deposition work, per-page rates of up to $8 for transcripts, and the specialized premiums that realtime services can command. To maximize pay in Vermillion, court reporters should consider diversifying their skill set to include CART services and securing freelance contracts, positioning themselves strategically in a market where demand may not always meet supply.
More salary data for Vermillion, SD:
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 $47,475 for court reportersin the Vermillion 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 Vermillion 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