Court Reporter Salary in Salina, KS: $65,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Salina, KS earns a median $65,782/year (≈ $31.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $72,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salina, Kansas, the compensation for court reporters varies significantly, reflecting the bifurcated nature of the profession. The projected median annual salary is $65,782, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,788, indicating a regional disparity. Within this local market, salaries can range from $42,148 at the lower end (P10) to $101,962 for those at the higher end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, illustrate the competitive landscape that court reporters face in Salina, where the dynamics between freelance and official positions influence not just job availability but also pay scales. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for those contemplating a career in court reporting within the region.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,148 | $20.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,072 | $24.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,782 | $31.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,201 | $40.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,962 | $49.02 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,814 (2026 est.). At $65,782, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Court Reporter Pay Compares
Salina median: $65,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $67,957 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | -12.04% less |
Court Reporters in Salina, KS earn a median of $65,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $67,957.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina 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.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $65,782 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,367 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,889
2025 BLS Actual
$63,699
2026 Current Est.
$65,782
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,235 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,109 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,906 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,933 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $52,889 (2019) to $63,699 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,933 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,044 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $42,148 – $51,072 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,072 – $65,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,782 – $84,201 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,201 – $101,962 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Salina
The local job market in Salina includes approximately 11 employed court reporters, which can limit opportunities but also highlights the specialized need for these professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, residents enjoy a lower-than-average expense burden, enhancing the actual purchasing power of their salaries. Freelancers may find the highest earnings through private firms, often charging per-page fees that range from $3 to $8, depending on urgency. Conversely, official court reporters usually earn a set salary within the state or federal system. Additionally, those specializing in realtime reporting or CART services can command higher rates—often from $150 to $300 per hour. To maximize earnings, court reporters in Salina should consider diversifying their skill sets with NCRA certifications, such as the RPR or CRR, and actively engage with both freelance and official roles to capture broader market opportunities.
More salary data for Salina, 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 $63,699 for court reportersin the Salina 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 Salina 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