Court Reporter Hourly Pay in San Juan, PR: $19.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in San Juan, PR runs $19.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,552 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,740 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Juan, PR, the hourly pay for court reporters stands at a median rate of $19.02, significantly lower than the national median of $35.96 per hour. This indicates a marked disparity in earnings for professionals in this field when compared to their counterparts on the mainland. For those considering part-time work, such as reporting three days a week, or per-diem assignments, this hourly rate can impact their financial outlook significantly. Typically, court reporters operate in various environments, including deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even remote CART live event venues. For entry-level reporters, starting hourly rates are around $16.31, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $19.12 per hour, giving a glimpse into the financial landscape of this role in San Juan.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.31 | $130.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.31 | $130.45 |
| Median (P50) | $19.02 | $152.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.02 | $152.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.12 | $152.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Juan
Based on $19.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.02/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Juan, PR can expect to earn approximately $39,566 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,827.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Juan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $760.89 | $3,297 | $39,566 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $456.54 | $1,978 | $23,740 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $304.36 | $1,319 | $15,827 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (San Juan) | $19.02 |
| 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 San Juan, PR earn a median of $39,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.11% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 29.50% below the Puerto Rico state average of $56,103.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in San Juan grew 20.4% from $15.29/hr (2019) to $18.42/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.64/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 San Juan 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 San Juan
Examining the potential earnings for a court reporter in a part-time capacity reveals that working 24 hours a week translates to a net annual income of approximately $24,000, as opposed to a full-time salary. In addition, per-diem court reporter pay in San Juan can be lucrative, with freelance deposition reporters earning between $400 to $800 for just a half-day session, augmented by per-page fees for transcript services. Rates can reach $150 to $300 per hour for realtime or CART captioning jobs, especially when rush turnaround times demand a premium. It's essential to understand how hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employment context, whether working as an independent practitioner through agencies or as a direct employee of state or federal courts. Additionally, professionals often weigh the benefits of secure employment with government agencies against the higher pay offered through independent work, which lacks health benefits. For those negotiating, knowing the market and the demand in San Juan can be a powerful tool in securing favorable pay.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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 San Juan. 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, 5-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