Court Reporter Salary in Lakewood, CO: $78,586 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Lakewood, CO earns a median $78,586/year (≈ $37.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $74,844 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter salary in Lakewood, CO is projected to reach a median of $78,586, reflecting a slight advantage over the national average of $74,788. The salary range here spans from $47,055 at the 10th percentile to $121,809 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential for professionals in this field. These figures, derived from state-level BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the impact of deposition volume and per-page transcript economics on overall wages. Court reporters who can secure a higher volume of work, particularly in freelance roles, are positioned to substantially enhance their earnings, making Lakewood's market an appealing option for both new graduates and seasoned professionals.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,055 | $22.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,872 | $28.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,586 | $37.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,590 | $48.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,809 | $58.56 |
Median Salary Position
5.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,754 (2026 est.). At $78,586, the local median is 5.08% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Court Reporter Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $78,586/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,508 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | +5.08% more |
Court Reporters in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $78,586 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.08% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $78,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,586 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,844 — a 4.76% reduction.
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
$63,184
2025 BLS Actual
$76,098
2026 Current Est.
$78,586
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,184 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,792 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,447 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,788 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,187 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,098 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $63,184 (2019) to $76,098 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,972 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $47,055 – $58,872 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,872 – $78,586 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,586 – $100,590 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,590 – $121,809 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Lakewood
Employment for court reporters in Lakewood stands at 27, a number that reflects the area's competitive job landscape. The cost-of-living index is measured at 105, slightly above the national average, which influences take-home purchasing power for those working in the city. Freelance roles, particularly through agencies such as Veritext or Esquire, often yield the highest pay due to per-page rates that vary substantially based on turnaround time, while official court reporter positions, whether within state or federal systems, adhere to standardized salary scales. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to the complexity of the assignments—where realtime and CART reporting can command rates of $150 to $300 per hour. Court reporters looking to maximize their earnings should consider specializing in high-demand areas, cultivating relationships with legal firms, and actively seeking opportunities that push their transcript volume into the higher pay brackets, ensuring their place in the evolving workforce in Lakewood, CO.
More salary data for Lakewood, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in Lakewood, CO in 2026?
Is Lakewood, CO a good place to work as a court reporter?
Can court reporters make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted court reporter salary in Lakewood?
How much does a court reporter make per hour in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $76,098 for court reportersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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