Court Reporter Salary in Denton, TX: $128,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Denton, TX earns a median $128,293/year (≈ $61.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Denton's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $133,639 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Denton, TX, court reporters enjoy a competitive median annual salary of $128,293 in 2026, significantly outperforming the national median of $74,788 by over 71%. The salary range for this profession in the area is extensive, with individuals earning as little as $75,545 at the lower end (P10) and up to $198,855 at the higher end (P90). These figures stem from local estimates based on 2025 BLS occupational employment statistics and regional cost of living adjustments, meaning Denton’s job market is tailored to the economic landscape of the region, which plays a crucial role in driving compensation. The dynamics of deposition volumes and effective reporting rates serve as key drivers for determining court reporter pay in Denton, showcasing the potential for lucrative opportunities depending on an individual's workload and client base.
About the Denton Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,545 | $36.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,146 | $45.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,293 | $61.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $164,216 | $78.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $198,855 | $95.61 |
Median Salary Position
71.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denton
In Denton, TX, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $123,310 (2026 est.). At $128,293, the local median is 71.54% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denton Court Reporter Pay Compares
Denton median: $128,293/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $129,068 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +71.54% more |
Court Reporters in Denton, TX earn a median of $128,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 71.54% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $129,068.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denton has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denton, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $128,293 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,639 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,148
2025 BLS Actual
$124,231
2026 Current Est.
$128,293
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Denton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,148 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,577 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,032 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,684 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,912 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,489 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denton metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $103,148 (2019) to $124,231 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,489 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,341 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denton 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) | $75,545 – $95,146 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,146 – $128,293 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,293 – $164,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $164,216 – $198,855 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Denton
Currently, there are 33 court reporters employed in Denton, reflecting a modest but stable job market. The cost of living index in Denton stands at 96, indicating that it is below the national average, which means the purchasing power for salaries is somewhat enhanced in this area. Freelance work in court reporting is common, with pay rates typically pegged at about $3-$8 per page, while realtime and CART specialty reporting can command significantly higher rates, ranging from $150-$300 per hour for live captioning. Employers differ in pay scales; for instance, independent contractors often earn more than state-employed court reporters. Given the persistent shortage of court reporters—NCRA estimates a gap of 5,500 reporters nationwide—those looking to maximize their earnings should consider developing specialized skills, such as obtaining RPR or CRR credentials, which tend to increase marketability and pay potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Denton, TX:
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 $124,231 for court reportersin the Denton 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 Denton 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