Court Reporter Salary in Galveston, TX: $129,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Galveston, TX earns a median $129,421/year (≈ $62.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $134,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Galveston, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $129,421 in 2026 — significantly above the national average, which stands at $74,788. The salary range for these professionals spans from $75,064 at the 10th percentile to $200,603 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities that exist within this specialized field. This figure is derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels. The differences in pay structures can largely be attributed to the divide between freelance and official court reporters, which affects overall compensation and job availability in the local market, ultimately shaping the career landscape for aspiring professionals in Galveston.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,064 | $36.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,633 | $45.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,421 | $62.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,659 | $79.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,603 | $96.44 |
Median Salary Position
73.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,539 (2026 est.). At $129,421, the local median is 73.05% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Court Reporter Pay Compares
Galveston median: $129,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $129,034 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | +73.05% more |
Court Reporters in Galveston, TX earn a median of $129,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 73.05% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $129,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $129,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,055
2025 BLS Actual
$125,323
2026 Current Est.
$129,421
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,055 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,703 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,991 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,648 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,483 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,323 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $133,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $104,055 (2019) to $125,323 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $133,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,598 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $75,064 – $93,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,633 – $129,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,421 – $165,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,659 – $200,603 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Galveston
With only ten court reporters currently employed in Galveston, competition for opportunities is low, which could allow qualified reporters to negotiate better pay or work conditions. The cost of living index in Galveston is 96, indicating it's below the national average, potentially enhancing purchasing power for those earning competitive salaries. Freelance court reporters often see significant variation in earnings, driven by per-page rates that range from $3 to $8, and unique opportunities in real-time or CART services, where rates can reach $150 to $300 per hour. Government positions, while generally offering a stable salary, may not always compete with the high earnings that can be achieved through private sector work. To maximize income, reporters should focus on obtaining certifications such as RPR or CRR, enhancing their skills in realtime reporting, and diversifying their client base to include both legal firms and media-related entities.
More salary data for Galveston, 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 $125,323 for court reportersin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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