Court Reporter Salary in Raleigh, NC: $73,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in Raleigh, NC earns a median $73,858/year (≈ $35.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $78,908 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For court reporters in Raleigh, NC, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $73,858, slightly below the national median of $74,788. This salary reflects the dynamic nature of deposition work—including the volume of transcripts produced—which significantly influences earnings. Reporters in this locale can expect a salary range from $42,837 at the 10th percentile to as much as $114,479 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data and regional price parities, illustrating the localized economic landscape. Raleigh's employment market for court reporters, driven by both freelance and institutional opportunities, presents a favorable outlook for those entering the profession.
About the Raleigh Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,837 | $20.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,178 | $25.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,858 | $35.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,537 | $45.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,479 | $55.04 |
Median Salary Position
1.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,642 (2026 est.). At $73,858, the local median is 1.24% below the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Court Reporter Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $73,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $70,007 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $74,788 | -1.24% less |
Court Reporters in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $73,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.24% lower than the national median of $74,788 and 5.50% above the North Carolina state average of $70,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A court reporter earning $73,858 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,908 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,640
2025 BLS Actual
$71,519
2026 Current Est.
$73,858
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,145 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,316 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,273 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 16.0% from $61,640 (2019) to $71,519 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,273 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,633 (23.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $42,837 – $53,178 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,178 – $73,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,858 – $94,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,537 – $114,479 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in Raleigh
In Raleigh, a total of 104 court reporters are currently employed, contributing to a competitive but rewarding job market. The cost-of-living index in the area is 93.6, suggesting that despite the modest salary figures, take-home purchasing power may be favorable. Freelance court reporters often see higher earnings, particularly those working with agencies like Veritext and US Legal Support, which provide lucrative per-page rates based on turnaround urgency. Additionally, those specializing in realtime or CART services can command hourly rates between $150 to $300, which significantly narrows the income gap within the profession. With the ongoing demand for stenographic reporting amid a nationwide shortage, understanding the local dynamics can be essential for maximizing court reporter pay in Raleigh, NC. Being strategic about specializations and considering various employment types will prove crucial for career advancement in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 $71,519 for court reportersin the Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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