Court Reporter Salary in Johnston, IA: $62,752 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Johnston, IA earns a median $62,752/year (≈ $30.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Johnston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $69,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, Iowa, the compensation for court reporters averages around $62,752 annually as projected for 2026, reflecting a notable gap compared to the national median of $74,788. Local salaries span from $40,403 at the lower end, potentially for entry-level or freelance positions, to as high as $97,266, often reserved for those with significant experience or specialized skills. These figures estimate market conditions that embrace both freelance and official court reporter roles. The distinct structural divide between freelance reporters and those working in official capacities, such as state or federal employment, can greatly impact earnings, ultimately shaping the job market in Johnston.
About the Johnston Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,403 | $19.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,702 | $23.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,752 | $30.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,322 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,266 | $46.76 |
Median Salary Position
16.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnston
In Johnston, IA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,863 (2026 est.). At $62,752, the local median is 16.09% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnston Court Reporter Pay Compares
Johnston median: $62,752/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $67,621 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -16.09% less |
Court Reporters in Johnston, IA earn a median of $62,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.09% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $67,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnston 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.
Johnston, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $62,752 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,416 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,453
2025 BLS Actual
$60,765
2026 Current Est.
$62,752
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,737 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,663 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,331 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,752 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,804 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnston metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $50,453 (2019) to $60,765 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,351 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnston 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) | $40,403 – $48,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,702 – $62,752 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,752 – $80,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,322 – $97,266 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Johnston
As the local job market shows, there are currently four court reporters employed in Johnston, highlighting a modest presence in the field within this community. The cost of living index in Johnston stands at 90.4, indicating that take-home salaries may stretch further than in cities with higher living costs. Freelance court reporters, who typically work with agencies like Veritext or Esquire, can negotiate rates that vary significantly based on urgency and demand. Meanwhile, official court reporters often have salaries governed by civil service scales. To maximize earning potential in this market, court reporters should consider specializing in realtime or CART services, which command higher premium rates due to their specialized skill set. Building relationships with local firms and expanding expertise in these areas will be key strategies for those looking to enhance their court reporter pay in Johnston, IA.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 $60,765 for court reportersin the Johnston 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 Johnston 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