Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $33.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Lexington, KY runs $33.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,116 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,067 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, court reporters in Lexington, Kentucky, can expect a median hourly pay of $33.71, which is slightly below the national average of $35.96 per hour. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a substantial income, particularly in settings like deposition conference rooms, courtrooms, and live event venues. The hourly rate varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $19.94 while experienced professionals can earn up to $52.25 per hour, reflecting both the demand for skilled court reporters and the diversity of job opportunities available in Lexington. This pay structure allows for flexibility in work arrangements, making it possible for court reporters to engage in freelance or per-diem work while maintaining a balanced lifestyle.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.94 | $159.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.25 | $202.00 |
| Median (P50) | $33.71 | $269.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.15 | $345.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.25 | $418.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $33.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.71/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $70,111 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,449. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,348.29 | $5,843 | $70,111 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $808.98 | $3,506 | $42,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $539.32 | $2,337 | $28,044 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Lexington) | $33.71 |
| 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 Lexington, KY earn a median of $70,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 5.00% above the Kentucky state average of $66,777.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.71/hr = $42,067/year (purchasing power: $47,107).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,111/year (purchasing power: $78,512).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Lexington grew 20.4% from $27.10/hr (2019) to $32.64/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.81/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
Considering the part-time earnings potential, a court reporter working 24 hours a week in Lexington could bring home roughly $57,000 annually, a solid figure compared to full-time salaries in the area. Freelance deposition reporters frequently command rates between $400 and $800 for half-day assignments, in addition to transcript fees, making the per diem court reporter pay in Lexington quite lucrative when managed effectively. The hourly pay can fluctuate widely based on the type of employer as independent reporters, often booked through firms like Veritext or US Legal Support, generally earn more than official court reporters or those working with federal courts. Many in the profession choose specialized roles, like CART providers, where higher hourly rates are available. However, some opt for traditional employment offering health benefits, thus trading off potentially lower hourly wages. Negotiation plays a crucial role in determining pay; court reporters in Lexington should be prepared to discuss both pay rates and benefits to secure a favorable compensation package.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Lexington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lexington 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