How much does a court reporter and simultaneous captioner make?
The median court reporter and simultaneous captioner in the United States earns $72,420 per year, about $34.82 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all court reporters and simultaneous captioners earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-3092.
Court reporter and simultaneous captioner salary range
Pay for court reporters and simultaneous captioners spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,130 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $130,560. The average (mean) wage of $78,760 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,130 | $20.26 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,760 | $25.85 | |
| Median (50th) | $72,420 | $34.82 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $100,780 | $48.45 | |
| 90th percentile | $130,560 | $62.77 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for court reporters and simultaneous captioners (SOC 27-3092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Court reporter and simultaneous captioner salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Court reporters and simultaneous captioners earn the most in California at $116,020 a year, and the least in Delaware at $44,760. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $116,020 | 1,400 |
| Texas | $110,080 | 1,270 |
| Washington | $107,670 | 80 |
| New York | $101,990 | 1,400 |
| Iowa | $93,810 | 160 |
| Rhode Island | $92,250 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $83,680 | 320 |
| Colorado | $83,010 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $79,940 | 50 |
| Arizona | $77,770 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $76,480 | 60 |
| Illinois | $75,890 | 770 |
| South Dakota | $75,210 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $73,510 | 110 |
| Missouri | $72,500 | 270 |
| North Dakota | $70,540 | 60 |
| Idaho | $69,330 | 40 |
| Alabama | $67,340 | 350 |
| Ohio | $67,330 | 340 |
| Mississippi | $67,300 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $65,640 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,100 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $63,380 | 270 |
| Montana | $62,730 | 50 |
| Nevada | $62,030 | 70 |
| Michigan | $61,600 | 260 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $60,800 | 180 |
| Connecticut | $59,390 | 210 |
| Maryland | $59,300 | N/A |
| Arkansas | $59,180 | 130 |
| West Virginia | $56,790 | 90 |
| Virginia | $55,210 | 320 |
| Indiana | $54,740 | 890 |
| Kentucky | $50,350 | 80 |
| Florida | $49,240 | 1,110 |
| Maine | $49,110 | 30 |
| Delaware | $44,760 | 40 |
State median wages for court reporters and simultaneous captioners (SOC 27-3092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for court reporters and simultaneous captioners
The BLS projects employment of court reporters and simultaneous captioners to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 19,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 19,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,800 openings a year for court reporters and simultaneous captioners. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a court reporter and simultaneous captioner
The typical entry-level education for court reporters and simultaneous captioners is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a court reporter and simultaneous captioner earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $116,020) and the lowest (Delaware, $44,760) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,870 people work as court reporters and simultaneous captioners in the United States. At $72,420 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Court reporter and simultaneous captioner salary FAQ
How much does a court reporter and simultaneous captioner make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a court reporter and simultaneous captioner is $34.82. The middle half of court reporters and simultaneous captioners earn between $25.85 and $48.45 per hour.
What is the highest court reporter and simultaneous captioner salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of court reporters and simultaneous captioners earn more than $130,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a court reporter and simultaneous captioner make a year?
The median annual salary for a court reporter and simultaneous captioner is $72,420. The average (mean) wage of $78,760 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a court reporter and simultaneous captioner a well paid job?
At $72,420 a year, a court reporter and simultaneous captioner earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,870 people work as court reporters and simultaneous captioners in the United States.
Which state pays court reporters and simultaneous captioners the most?
California has the highest median salary for court reporters and simultaneous captioners at $116,020 a year. Texas ($110,080) and Washington ($107,670) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a court reporter and simultaneous captioner a good career?
Employment of court reporters and simultaneous captioners is projected to shrink 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a court reporter and simultaneous captioner?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for court reporters and simultaneous captioners as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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