Court Reporter Salary in University Place, WA: $78,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time court reporter in University Place, WA earns a median $78,770/year (≈ $37.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-3092). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $73,343 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In University Place, Washington, the projected 2026 median annual salary for court reporters is $78,770, which is slightly above the national median of $74,788. This salary reflects the pay structure that often sees a divide between freelance reporters and those employed in official capacities. The local salary range spans from $45,719 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $122,094 at the higher end (P90). These figures, developed from state-level data and regional cost adjustments, show that University Place offers competitive pay opportunities in the court reporting field, partly influenced by Washington's overall employment landscape and the continuing demand for qualified professionals.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,719 | $21.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,647 | $27.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,826 | $48.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,094 | $58.70 |
Median Salary Position
5.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the court reporter salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,375 (2026 est.). At $78,770, the local median is 5.32% above the national median of $74,788.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Court Reporter Pay Compares
University Place median: $78,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $80,296 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $74,788 | +5.32% more |
Court Reporters in University Place, WA earn a median of $78,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% higher than the national median of $74,788 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $80,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,343 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,332
2025 BLS Actual
$76,276
2026 Current Est.
$78,770
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Court Reporters in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.27% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,332 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,595 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,344 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,346 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median court reporter salary grew 20.4% from $63,332 (2019) to $76,276 (2025). At a 3.27% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,346 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,014 (28.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $45,719 – $57,647 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,647 – $78,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,770 – $100,826 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,826 – $122,094 |
CR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual court reporter compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Court Reporter Job Market in University Place
With only six court reporters currently employed in University Place, the local job market offers unique opportunities alongside a cost of living index of 107.4, indicating that expenses are somewhat higher than the national average. This elevated cost of living can impact take-home pay, as prospective court reporters must consider the balance between salary and affordability in the area. Among the types of employers, freelance and independent reporting agencies generally offer the highest pay, often paid on a per-page basis and through specialized firms like Veritext and US Legal Support, while state court systems follow a structured salary scale. High demand for realtime and CART services, often commanding premium rates, can create significant income opportunities. To maximize earnings, court reporters in University Place should consider specializing in these areas and strategically building a professional network to secure higher-paying positions.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
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 $76,276 for court reportersin the University Place 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 University Place 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