Court Reporter Salary in District of Columbia: $53,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median court reporter pay sits at $53,576/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-3092. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,791 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($51,880).
In 2026, the average median salary for court reporters in the District of Columbia is projected to be $53,576, significantly lower than the national median of $74,788, reflecting a salary difference of -28.4%. In D.C., Washington is both the highest and lowest paying city, with salaries remaining consistent at $53,576. This lack of variability in pay could indicate a flat job market or limited competition among employers within the metro area. Licensing requirements in the District of Columbia mandate that court reporters hold a certification, which may include passing an exam. Additionally, the scope of practice laws define the responsibilities of court reporters and may affect job availability. Factors driving demand include the volume of court proceedings and transcription services needed in government and law sectors. The job market for court reporters is projected to experience a growth rate of 3.27% annually, suggesting a steady demand for this profession. With a total of 180 court reporters employed in the area, it's essential for aspiring professionals to consider these dynamics when pursuing a career in this field. Understanding the local market and the associated salary expectations can help inform career decisions for those interested in court reporting in D.C.
District of Columbia Court Reporter Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $45,284 (lowest entry-level) to $88,079 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia court reporters earn 28.36% less than the national median ($-21,212/year difference).
District of Columbia Court Reporter Salary Distribution (2026)
Court Reporter salaries in District of Columbia range from $45,284 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,079 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,576. The District of Columbia median is $21,212 below the US national median of $74,788. The average hourly rate is $25.76/hr. Approximately 180 court reporters are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,880
2025 BLS Actual
$51,880
2026 Current Est.
$53,576
2019–2027 Growth
+2.7%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in District of Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew -3.7% from $53,880 (2019) to $51,880 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,448 (2.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,284 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,576 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,079 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $53,576 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More Court Reporter Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do court reporters make in District of Columbia in 2026?
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How does District of Columbia court reporter pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level court reporter salary in District of Columbia?
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Which District of Columbia city offers the best value for court reporters?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 court reporter compensation across District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 metro areas — larger metro areas with more court reporterscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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