Overview
SourcedUse verbatim methods and equipment to capture, store, retrieve, and transcribe pretrial and trial proceedings or other information. Includes stenocaptioners who operate computerized stenographic captioning equipment to provide captions of live or prerecorded broadcasts for hearing-impaired viewers.
O*NET definition of Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (SOC 27-3092) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (SOC 27-3092) naming each level as required to be hired, 23 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedMany community colleges and technical institutes offer postsecondary certificate programs for court reporters and simultaneous captioners. These workers typically receive on-the-job training that varies by type of reporting or captioning. Many states require court reporters and simultaneous captioners who work in legal settings to have a state license or a certification from a professional association.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 27-3092
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job zone
- Medium Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialCivil-service class series: civil-service class series I → II → III → senior → supervisor → manager, each with a salary range. Typical structure for a civil-service class series; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Trainee / Assistant
- Level I
- Level II (journey)
- Level III / Senior
- Lead / Principal
- Supervisor
- Manager
- Director / Division Chief
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | 40 | $63,130 | $71,280 | $75,360 | $80,930 | $87,860 |
| State | 3,810 | $48,670 | $63,610 | $78,300 | $97,480 | $132,480 |
| Local | 4,730 | $46,260 | $58,910 | $78,430 | $113,200 | $137,410 |
| All government | 8,590 | $47,140 | $61,170 | $78,430 | $107,530 | $134,390 |
| Private sector | 4,280 | $34,050 | $45,410 | $60,360 | $80,030 | $115,190 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
State government pay plans
Official pay ranges for the job classes that match Court Reporter (official) in 16 state civil-service plans. They cover state employees only, not cities, counties or school districts.
| State | Job classes in the state plan | Annual range |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Hearings Reporter 1 class · effective September 1, 2026 · Alabama State Personnel Department | $32,887 – $55,133 |
| Arkansas | Court Reporter 1 class · effective July 1, 2025 · Arkansas Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of Personnel Management | $63,086 – $93,367 |
| California | Hearing Reporter 1 class · effective September 14, 2026 · California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) | $86,532 – $108,276 |
| Colorado | Hearings Reporter 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR) | $62,436 – $87,408 |
| Connecticut | Hearing Reporter (Motor Vehicle) (DMV), Hearing Reporter (Workers' Compensation Commission) (WCC) 2 classes · effective June 26, 2026 · Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Statewide Human Resources | $67,007 – $90,689 |
| Illinois | Court Reporter 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Illinois Department of Central Management Services | $63,936 – $95,244 |
| Indiana | Court Reporter 1 class · Indiana State Personnel Department | $34,216 – $47,918 |
| Maryland | Hearing Reporter I–II, Hearing Reporter Lead 3 classes · effective July 1, 2026 · Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) | $52,354 – $113,243 |
| Michigan | Hearings Reporter-E 1 class · effective October 1, 2026 · Michigan Civil Service Commission | $60,112 – $85,134 |
| Mississippi | Court Reporter 1 class · effective July 1, 2026 · Mississippi State Personnel Board | $40,286 – $70,801 |
| Missouri | Court Reporter 1 class · effective July 1, 2025 · Missouri Office of Administration, Division of Personnel | $41,208 – $86,712 |
| North Carolina | Court Reporter 1 class · effective February 1, 2026 · North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) | $43,281 – $64,922 |
| Oklahoma | Court Reporter II–I 4 classes · effective August 30, 2026 · Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), Human Capital Management | $27,320 – $105,172 |
| South Dakota | Court Reporter | $59,010 – $92,560 |
| Texas | Court Reporter I–III 3 classes · effective September 1, 2025 · Texas State Auditor's Office (SAO), State Classification Team | $57,614 – $129,430 |
| Wisconsin | Court Reporter 1 class · effective June 28, 2026 · Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of Personnel Management | $45,136 – $103,626 |
Lowest class minimum to highest class maximum. Hourly rates are converted at 2,080 hours a year, and other rates at the plan's pay periods; the plans publish the exact rates. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Sources: 16 official state pay plans, linked in each row.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2026). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Provide transcripts of proceedings upon request of judges, lawyers, or the public.5.0
- Record verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies, committee meetings, and other proceedings, using computerized recording equipment, electronic stenograph machines, or stenomasks.5.0
- Record depositions and other proceedings for attorneys.5.0
- Record symbols on computer storage media and use computer aided transcription to translate and display them as text.5.0
- Ask speakers to clarify inaudible statements.5.0
- Proofread transcripts for correct spelling of words.4.9
- File a legible transcript of records of a court case with the court clerk's office.4.9
- Transcribe recorded proceedings in accordance with established formats.4.8
- Take notes in shorthand or use a stenotype or shorthand machine that prints letters on a paper tape.4.8
- File and store shorthand notes of court session.4.7
The 10 most important of 12 core tasks for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedExams and free practice tests
Sourced| Exam | Administered by | Used in | Type | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) Examination Three parts (English and Professional Practice written exams plus a Dictation/Skills exam); dictation is four-voice at 200 wpm for 13 minutes with the last 10 minutes transcribed, 95% accuracy required, given remotely in March, July and November; all parts must be passed within three consecutive years. | Court Reporters Board of California | CA | licensing | Official page |
| Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Exam Three five-minute online Skills Tests (Literary 180 wpm, Jury Charge 200 wpm, Testimony/Q&A 225 wpm; 75 minutes to transcribe; 95% accuracy per leg) plus a Written Knowledge Test. | National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) | US | certification | Official page |
Each exam is checked against its administrator's official page. Employers choose which exam they use; confirm with the hiring agency.
Source: Exam administrators and hiring authorities (per record), Official exam administrator pages. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests
AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- CSR Certified Shorthand ReporterEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NVRA Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- RPR Registered Professional ReporterPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
State versions: 19 states. Pick yours:
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners (SOC 27-3092) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,400 | $55,280 | $116,020 | $142,930 |
| Texas | 1,270 | $54,520 | $110,080 | $137,410 |
| Washington | 80 | $82,220 | $107,670 | $113,880 |
| New York | 1,400 | $60,360 | $101,990 | $143,790 |
| Iowa | 160 | $63,560 | $93,810 | $104,490 |
| Rhode Island | 60 | $61,670 | $92,250 | $107,310 |
| Minnesota | 320 | $64,150 | $83,680 | $97,410 |
| Colorado | 260 | $65,960 | $83,010 | $110,700 |
| Massachusetts | 50 | $46,080 | $79,940 | $91,350 |
| Arizona | 70 | $61,510 | $77,770 | $90,020 |
| Nebraska | 60 | $60,910 | $76,480 | $87,080 |
| Illinois | 770 | $31,200 | $75,890 | $122,390 |
| South Dakota | 40 | $63,610 | $75,210 | $78,960 |
| North Carolina | 110 | $57,910 | $73,510 | $91,710 |
| Missouri | 270 | $56,000 | $72,500 | $97,480 |
| North Dakota | 60 | $56,030 | $70,540 | $81,130 |
| Idaho | 40 | $66,290 | $69,330 | $75,460 |
| Alabama | 350 | $37,700 | $67,340 | $84,270 |
| Ohio | 340 | $49,750 | $67,330 | $94,740 |
| Mississippi | 40 | $47,720 | $67,300 | $75,000 |
| Wisconsin | 60 | $38,560 | $65,640 | $121,260 |
| Pennsylvania | 670 | $40,130 | $65,100 | $90,330 |
| Louisiana | 270 | $26,650 | $63,380 | $97,360 |
| Montana | 50 | $50,870 | $62,730 | $78,890 |
| Nevada | 70 | $46,750 | $62,030 | $78,430 |
| Michigan | 260 | $41,040 | $61,600 | $79,780 |
| South Carolina | 140 | $45,190 | $61,100 | $76,300 |
| Oklahoma | 180 | $53,000 | $60,800 | $68,000 |
| Connecticut | 210 | $43,370 | $59,390 | $74,680 |
| Maryland | Not published | $41,620 | $59,300 | $90,360 |
| Arkansas | 130 | $53,200 | $59,180 | $80,090 |
| West Virginia | 90 | $44,550 | $56,790 | $70,890 |
| Virginia | 320 | $37,840 | $55,210 | $78,360 |
| Indiana | 890 | $42,740 | $54,740 | $77,320 |
| Kentucky | 80 | $29,610 | $50,350 | $50,350 |
| Florida | 1,110 | $35,320 | $49,240 | $81,370 |
| Maine | 30 | $48,370 | $49,110 | $89,670 |
| Delaware | 40 | $40,350 | $44,760 | $86,130 |
38 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 15 Employer directoryNot yet collectedEvery public employer that hires this job, with its own pay and rules