Court Reporter Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $56.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a court reporter working in Bellevue, WA runs $56.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $70,833 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Court reporters in Bellevue, Washington, earn a median hourly rate of $56.76, significantly surpassing the national median of $35.96. This competitive pay reflects the local demand for court reporting services, which can be delivered in various settings including courtrooms, deposition conference rooms, and captioning for live events. For part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a solid income, particularly beneficial for per-diem court reporters who may also charge for additional services like transcript fees. Within Bellevue, hourly earnings can vary, as entry-level reporters may see rates starting around $32.91, while those at the top of their game can command up to $87.97 per hour.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Court Reporter Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.91 | $263.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.86 | $326.91 |
| Median (P50) | $56.76 | $454.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72.64 | $581.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87.97 | $703.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $56.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $56.76/hr, a court reporter working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $118,055 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,109. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,270.29 | $9,838 | $118,055 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,362.17 | $5,903 | $70,833 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $908.12 | $3,935 | $47,222 |
Compare CR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Court Reporter (Bellevue) | $56.76 |
| 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 Bellevue, WA earn a median of $118,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 57.84% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 47.00% above the Washington state average of $80,304.
Court Reporter Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $56.76/hr = $70,833/year (purchasing power: $65,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,055/year (purchasing power: $109,921).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$45.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$54.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$56.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Court Reporters in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $54.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for court reporters in Bellevue grew 20.4% from $45.63/hr (2019) to $54.96/hr (2025). At a 3.27% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.61/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
For part-time court reporters working 24 hours a week, their take-home can be quite robust, resulting in annual earnings considerably above many conventional jobs, especially given the high hourly rate. Freelance court reporters often enjoy flexible schedules and can earn substantial per diem court reporter pay in Bellevue—typically between $400 and $800 for half-day depositions, along with additional fees for pages transcribed. The diversity in employer types affects individual rates, with independent contract work generally being more lucrative than positions in court employment systems. Those involved in realtime captioning or CART services can set hourly rates that reflect their specialized skills, sometimes reaching $150-$300 per hour. While some court reporters may prefer the stability that comes with employed positions—including benefits—others may pursue freelance opportunities for higher hourly wages. Effective negotiation is crucial in this competitive field, particularly within the Bellevue market, where understanding the value of skill sets and positioning can lead to more favorable contracts.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for court reporters in Bellevue in 2026?
How much do part-time court reporters make in Bellevue?
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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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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