Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $35.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Charlottesville, VA runs $35.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,976 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,387 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charlottesville, the projected median court reporter hourly pay stands at $35.57, which is slightly below the national median of $35.96. This hourly pay provides ample opportunities for both part-time workers, who might work three days a week, and per-diem professionals, who thrive on flexible schedules. In typical settings such as depositions, federal and state courtrooms, and CART live event venues, this wage translates to a good living for many within the profession. Entry-level court reporters can expect to earn around $22.23 per hour, while those at the pinnacle of their careers can achieve impressive rates up to $55.13 per hour. In a city like Charlottesville, where the cost of living is slightly above the national average, this pay scale can offer a viable path for success in the court reporting industry.
About the Charlottesville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.23 | $177.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.20 | $217.61 |
| Median (P50) | $35.57 | $284.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.52 | $364.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.13 | $441.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $35.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.57/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $73,978 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,679. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,422.65 | $6,165 | $73,978 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $853.59 | $3,699 | $44,387 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.06 | $2,466 | $29,591 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Charlottesville) | $35.57 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $73,976 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $77,220.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.57/hr = $44,387/year (purchasing power: $43,010).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,978/year (purchasing power: $71,684).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Charlottesville grew 20.4% from $28.60/hr (2019) to $34.44/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.73/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Evaluating the earning potential reveals distinct advantages for those who opt for part-time, freelance, or per-diem court reporting in Charlottesville. If a court reporter works 24 hours a week on a part-time basis, their annual income could reach around $44,794, nearly 40% less than a full-time position, which typically offers more stable benefits like health insurance. Freelance deposition reporters usually command between $400-$800 for half-day sessions, alongside transcript fees that can significantly boost income. For specialized roles like realtime captioning or CART services, the pay can rise to $150-$300 per hour, highlighting the premium associated with those skill sets. A variety of employer types, from independent reporting firms to federal court systems, affects pay dynamics, requiring workers to consider trade-offs between hourly rates and employee benefits. Court reporters in Charlottesville would benefit from negotiating not just on pay but also on the potential for additional perks, which can make a freelancer's lifestyle more financially sustainable.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Charlottesville?
Are court reporters in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time court reporter make per year in Charlottesville?
Do court reporters earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
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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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville 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