Court Reporter Salary in Lawrence, KS: $68,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Lawrence, KS earns a median $68,743/year (≈ $33.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $75,625 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the court reporter salary in Lawrence, KS, reaches a median annual figure of $68,743, which reflects some adjustments for the local economic context. The salary spectrum spans from $39,870 at the lower end (P10) to $106,551 at the upper tier (P90), indicating a significant disparity based on experience and specific roles. Local estimates drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data showcase a competitive earning potential, especially when factoring in the increased demand for court reporters amid a nationwide workforce shortage. Given this scenario, it’s evident that the volume of depositions can considerably affect earnings, allowing skilled reporters to leverage their capabilities for higher compensation.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,026 | $25.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,743 | $33.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,551 | $51.22 |
Median Salary Position
8.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,681 (2026 est.). At $68,743, the local median is 8.08% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Court Reporter Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $68,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $67,995 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | -8.08% less |
Court Reporters in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $68,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 1.10% above the Kansas state average of $67,995.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $68,743 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,625 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,269
2025 BLS Actual
$66,566
2026 Current Est.
$68,743
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,499 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,422 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,771 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,797 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $55,269 (2019) to $66,566 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,722 (28.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $39,870 – $53,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,026 – $68,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,743 – $87,990 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,990 – $106,551 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Lawrence
Currently, there are 22 court reporters working in Lawrence, and the local cost-of-living index is at 90.9, implying that take-home pay can provide a comfortable standard of living. Freelance and independent court reporters generally see the highest earnings, especially when contracted through agencies like Veritext or Esquire. The spread in compensation is driven by various factors, including deposition page volume and specialized services like CART, which can command rates of $150-$300 per hour for live captioning. To maximize income in this market, court reporters should consider pursuing advanced credentials such as the RPR or CRR, which enhance their appeal for premium assignments and allow them to benefit from the specialized realtime services, distinguishing themselves from those only providing standard transcription.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $66,566 for court reportersin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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