Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $28.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $28.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,020 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,416 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salt Lake City, the court reporter hourly pay stands at a median rate of $28.38, significantly lower than the national median of $35.96. This variation has implications for professionals working in various environments, such as deposition conference rooms, state and federal courtrooms, and even home studios for broadcast captioning. For those opting for part-time work, typically around three days a week, or per-diem arrangements, this hourly rate can influence both income stability and flexibility. The hourly pay range spans from $16.76 at the entry-level to $43.98 for top earners, highlighting the potential for substantial income based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from annual salary estimates, reflect the growing demand for court reporters in various sectors, especially as the profession faces a labor shortage, according to the NCRA.
About the Salt Lake City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.76 | $134.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.09 | $168.70 |
| Median (P50) | $28.38 | $227.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.32 | $290.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.98 | $351.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $28.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.38/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $59,027 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,054. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,135.14 | $4,919 | $59,027 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $681.09 | $2,951 | $35,416 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $454.06 | $1,968 | $23,611 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Salt Lake City) | $28.38 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $59,020 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.08% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 0.40% below the Utah state average of $59,257.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.38/hr = $35,416/year (purchasing power: $36,102).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,027/year (purchasing power: $60,171).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Salt Lake City grew 20.4% from $22.82/hr (2019) to $27.48/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.31/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Considering part-time arrangements, a court reporter in Salt Lake City working 24 hours a week could expect to take home roughly $43,042 annually, which contrasts with full-time salaries. Freelance reporters often command higher rates depending on the assignment type, with per diem court reporter pay in Salt Lake City ranging from $400 to $800 for half-day depositions, plus additional fee structures for transcriptions. Hourly earnings may peak significantly in specialized areas such as realtime captioning, where pay can reach between $150 and $300. Variations in pay are prevalent based on different employer settings, including independent reporting firms and state or federal court roles. Some professionals may opt for the security of full-time employment with benefits, even if it means accepting a lower hourly pay rate. Knowing the market allows court reporters to negotiate effectively, maximizing their earning potential while maintaining flexibility in their careers within this evolving industry.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Salt Lake City?
Are court reporters in Salt Lake City paid hourly or salary?
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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 Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City 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