Court Reporter Salary in South Milwaukee, WI: $58,277 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in South Milwaukee, WI earns a median $58,277/year (≈ $28.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in South Milwaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $62,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for court reporters in 2026 stands at $58,277, which is significantly lower than the national median of $74,788. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, suggest a salary range for local court reporters from $34,872 at the 10th percentile to $90,330 at the 90th percentile. The compensation landscape in this city indicates that while the job market offers opportunities, it remains competitive and may not match the earnings potential of other regions. Notably, those in specialty roles such as real-time transcription or CART providers may command higher pay, highlighting the importance of credentialing and specialized skills in enhancing earning potential for court reporters in South Milwaukee.
About the South Milwaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,872 | $16.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,302 | $20.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,277 | $28.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,595 | $35.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,330 | $43.43 |
Median Salary Position
22.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Milwaukee
In South Milwaukee, WI, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,458 (2026 est.). At $58,277, the local median is 22.08% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Milwaukee Court Reporter Pay Compares
South Milwaukee median: $58,277/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,345 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -22.08% less |
Court Reporters in South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $58,277 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.08% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Milwaukee 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.
South Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $58,277 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,395 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,855
2025 BLS Actual
$56,432
2026 Current Est.
$58,277
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,855 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,528 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,432 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,277 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,183 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $46,855 (2019) to $56,432 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,183 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,328 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Milwaukee 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) | $34,872 – $43,302 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,302 – $58,277 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,277 – $74,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,595 – $90,330 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in South Milwaukee
The local job market currently employs six court reporters in South Milwaukee, reflecting a modest demand in a profession facing a nationwide shortage. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing power for court reporter pay in South Milwaukee is slightly favorable, although it is crucial for professionals to consider the broader context of their earnings. Employers such as freelance reporting agencies and government court systems typically offer varied pay structures; for instance, freelance court reporters often earn per-page transcript rates ranging from $3 to $8 based on urgency and volume. To maximize pay, court reporters can develop skills in real-time captioning, which may attract higher rates, sometimes between $150 and $300 per hour. Networking with local agencies and pursuing NCRA certifications can also provide significant advantages in securing higher-paying positions.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
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 $56,432 for court reportersin the South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee 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