Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $38.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Birmingham, AL runs $38.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,064 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,441 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly rate of $38.01, court reporters in Birmingham, Alabama, earn more than the national median of $35.96. This higher pay positioning reflects Birmingham's competitive court reporting environment, particularly for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. Many court reporters split their time among various settings, including depositions and courtrooms, which can significantly influence their income. For those entering the field, hourly wages start at $28.84, with seasoned professionals earning up to $42.83. The diversity in work locations, from freelance deposition rooms to in-house providers in state and federal courts, allows for a range of income opportunities. This official BLS data, projected from 2025 to 2026, provides an informative glance at potential earnings for emerging and established court reporters alike.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.84 | $230.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.20 | $273.62 |
| Median (P50) | $38.01 | $304.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.83 | $334.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.83 | $342.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $38.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.01/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $79,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,616. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,520.55 | $6,589 | $79,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $912.33 | $3,953 | $47,441 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $608.22 | $2,636 | $31,627 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Birmingham) | $38.01 |
| Paralegal (National Avg) | $29.95 |
| Medical Transcriptionist (National Avg) | $19.96 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Interpreter / Translator (National Avg) | $28.15 |
Court Reporters in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $79,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.72% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 20.30% above the Alabama state average of $65,722.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.01/hr = $47,441/year (purchasing power: $51,767).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,068/year (purchasing power: $86,278).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+96.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Birmingham grew 83.8% from $20.03/hr (2019) to $36.81/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.26/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem court reporters can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Working as an Hourly Court Reporter in Birmingham
When considering the potential earnings of court reporters, part-time professionals in Birmingham can expect to take home a substantial income working three days a week. For instance, a reporter covering 24 hours weekly could earn a steady $47,913 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. Per diem court reporters frequently find lucrative opportunities, with compensation for half-day depositions ranging from $400 to $800, alongside variable fees for transcript requests. The agencies or firms they partner with, such as Veritext or US Legal Support, offer different compensation and support structures, which can affect hourly earnings. While official court reporters in the state court system may receive benefits, freelancers often command higher rates to offset the lack of health insurance. Those seeking to negotiate their pay should consider the specific employer type, leveraging the current demand for skilled court reporters in Birmingham amidst a notable industry shortage.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Birmingham in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for court reporters in Birmingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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