Court Reporter Salary in Burlington, IA: $64,918 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Burlington, IA earns a median $64,918/year (≈ $31.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $71,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, the projected court reporter salary in 2026 is $64,918, reflecting a significant variance from the national median of $74,788, positioning it approximately 13.20% lower than the national average. Salaries in this field can vary widely, with a range from $39,756 at the 10th percentile to $100,622 at the 90th percentile, meaning that earning potential can depend greatly on experience and the type of employment. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, highlight a unique local market where freelance reporting positions are quite prevalent. The official pay structures for state and federal court reporters may differ, impacting the earnings for those who choose to work within established court systems versus those who operate independently.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,756 | $19.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,104 | $23.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,918 | $31.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,094 | $39.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,622 | $48.37 |
Median Salary Position
13.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, IA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,866 (2026 est.). At $64,918, the local median is 13.2% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Court Reporter Pay Compares
Burlington median: $64,918/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,622 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -13.20% less |
Court Reporters in Burlington, IA earn a median of $64,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.20% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $67,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $64,918 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,812 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,194
2025 BLS Actual
$62,862
2026 Current Est.
$64,918
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,522 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,501 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,918 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $52,194 (2019) to $62,862 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,846 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $39,756 – $49,104 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,104 – $64,918 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,918 – $83,094 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,094 – $100,622 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Burlington
The job market for court reporters in Burlington is relatively limited, with only four professionals currently employed in this occupation. Despite this small workforce, the cost of living index stands at 90.4, indicating a more affordable environment compared to the national average. Freelance reporters, who typically work through firms such as Veritext or US Legal Support, often command varying per-page rates based on urgency and complexity, with rates between $3 to $8 possible. For those specializing in realtime or CART services, which serve the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, higher premiums between $150 to $300 per hour can significantly elevate overall earnings. Maximizing income in Burlington may require leveraging skills towards specialized services, pursuing certifications from the NCRA for credentials like RPR or CRR, and remaining competitive in a job market affected by digital recording technology's prevalence in some legal settings. Understanding these dynamics can empower court reporters to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $62,862 for court reportersin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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