Court Reporter Salary in Kenosha, WI: $60,838 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Kenosha, WI earns a median $60,838/year (≈ $29.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Kenosha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $65,137 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Kenosha, WI, can expect a median annual salary of $60,838 in 2026, reflecting a substantial discrepancy compared to the national average of $74,788. The local salary range varies significantly, from $35,286 at the 10th percentile to $94,300 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost perspectives, highlight the importance of deposition volume in shaping court reporter pay. With the current demand outpacing supply, evidenced by the chronic shortage of reporters in the profession, there's potential for earning more, especially for those engaging in freelance work where per-page rates can yield higher compensation based on transcript demand.
About the Kenosha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,286 | $16.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,838 | $29.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,873 | $37.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,300 | $45.34 |
Median Salary Position
18.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
In Kenosha, WI, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,014 (2026 est.). At $60,838, the local median is 18.65% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenosha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kenosha Court Reporter Pay Compares
Kenosha median: $60,838/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenosha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,329 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -18.65% less |
Court Reporters in Kenosha, WI earn a median of $60,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.65% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,329.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenosha has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenosha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $60,838 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,137 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,914
2025 BLS Actual
$58,912
2026 Current Est.
$60,838
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,914 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,159 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,118 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,705 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,014 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,727 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,838 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenosha metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $48,914 (2019) to $58,912 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,914 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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) | $35,286 – $46,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,830 – $60,838 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,838 – $77,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,873 – $94,300 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Kenosha
With only 25 court reporters employed in Kenosha, the job market is competitive but offers potential for specialized income streams. The cost-of-living index for Kenosha stands at 93.4, indicating a lower-than-average expense compared to national standards, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for court reporters. Those working as freelance reporters generally earn the most, particularly when working through established firms like Veritext or Esquire, as they benefit from varying per-page rates that range from $3 to $8, depending on urgency. The higher pay associated with realtime and CART services, often earning upwards of $150-$300 per hour, can help bridge the gap in compensation compared to official state or federal court positions. To maximize earnings in this market, court reporters should focus on gaining certifications such as RPR or CRR and actively pursue opportunities in areas of high demand, especially in realtime reporting, to enhance their financial potential in Kenosha.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can court reporters make $100K in Kenosha?
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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 $58,912 for court reportersin the Kenosha 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 Kenosha 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