Court Reporter Salary in Mesa, AZ: $71,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Mesa, AZ earns a median $71,922/year (≈ $34.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Mesa's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $73,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career in court reporting in Mesa, Arizona, the median annual salary is projected to be $71,922 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay structure relative to national averages. Salaries for court reporters in the area typically range from $42,308 for the lowest 10% to $111,480 for the highest 90%. These figures are based on data derived from 2025 estimates, adjusted for local cost of living considerations. It's worth mentioning that those with the Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) specialty and the Registered Communication Professional (RPR) credential may see even higher compensation, significantly enhancing the overall court reporter pay in Mesa, AZ. As the demand grows for skilled reporters, especially with realtime capabilities, Mesa's job market offers ample opportunity for qualified professionals.
About the Mesa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,308 | $20.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,468 | $25.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,922 | $34.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,061 | $44.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,480 | $53.60 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mesa
In Mesa, AZ, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,172 (2026 est.). At $71,922, the local median is 3.83% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mesa Court Reporter Pay Compares
Mesa median: $71,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $66,905 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | -3.83% less |
Court Reporters in Mesa, AZ earn a median of $71,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.50% above the Arizona state average of $66,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mesa has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mesa, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $71,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$57,826
2025 BLS Actual
$69,645
2026 Current Est.
$71,922
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,826 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,297 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,066 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,124 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,636 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mesa metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $57,826 (2019) to $69,645 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,448 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mesa 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,308 – $53,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,468 – $71,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,922 – $92,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,061 – $111,480 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Mesa
The employment climate in Mesa includes around 98 court reporters, highlighting a steady local job market for this profession. The cost of living index is slightly below the national average at 98.5, which can affect take-home pay but also implies that salaries may stretch further in comparison to more expensive areas. In Mesa, freelance opportunities often provide the most lucrative pay, with firms like Veritext and US Legal Support frequently hiring independent reporters, while official court reporters and federal court reporters can expect stable salaries with benefits. The varying pay structures in the region are influenced by factors like per-page completion rates for transcripts and the demand for CART services, where specialized skills can command significant hourly fees, ranging from $150 to $300. For those looking to maximize their earnings, obtaining additional certifications and honing realtime skills will be invaluable strategies within this burgeoning market in Mesa.
More salary data for Mesa, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Mesa, AZ in 2026?
Is Mesa, AZ a good place to work as a court reporter?
Can court reporters make $100K in Mesa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted court reporter salary in Mesa?
How much does a court reporter make per hour in Mesa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $69,645 for court reportersin the Mesa metropolitan area. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mesa 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