Arts, Media & Design career

Court Reporter

Also called: Stenographer · Broadcast Captioner · CART Provider · Realtime Reporter

What court reporters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a court reporter do?

Court reporters and simultaneous captioners create word-for-word transcriptions of legal proceedings and provide live captioning for TV and events. The median pay is $72,420 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2–4 years, and employment is projected to grow -0.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $72,420
    $34.82/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -0.1%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    1,800
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    2–4 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    19,900
    Employment, 2025

What court reporters do

Court reporters capture every word. They use stenotype machines or voice writing to record trials, depositions and hearings, produce official transcripts, and read back testimony when asked. Captioners provide live captions for TV broadcasts, events and people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Most reporters complete a postsecondary court reporting program and must reach high speeds with accuracy. Many states require certification or licensing, such as the RPR.

Typical duties

  • Record legal proceedings word for word
  • Produce official transcripts
  • Read back testimony on request
  • Provide live captioning
  • Prepare and maintain dictionaries
  • Swear in witnesses where allowed
  • Meet transcript deadlines

Work environment and schedule

Reporters work in courtrooms, law offices and remotely; captioners often work from home.

Schedule: Hours vary; freelance reporters and captioners may work irregular hours to meet deadlines.

A day in the life

  1. Set up the stenotype machine for a deposition.
  2. Record testimony in realtime.
  3. Note spellings of names and exhibits.
  4. Continue recording afternoon testimony.

See a full day in the life of a court reporter →

Court Reporter salary

Half of court reporters earned more than $72,420 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $42,130 for the lowest 10% to $130,560 for the top 10%.

Full court reporter pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a court reporter

  1. Enroll in a court reporting program
  2. Build speed and accuracy
  3. Pass certification exams
  4. Get hired or freelance
  5. Advance

Most court reporters complete a postsecondary court reporting program and must reach high writing speeds. Many states require certification.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a court reporter →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Stenography
  • Realtime writing
  • Legal and medical terminology
  • Transcript production
  • Proofreading

People skills

  • Concentration
  • Accuracy
  • Discretion
  • Professionalism

All court reporter skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Shortage of reporters creates demand
  • Remote captioning options
  • Good pay with skill
  • Important legal role

Cons

  • Demanding training
  • Intense concentration
  • Deadline pressure
  • Repetitive strain

Certifications and licenses

  • Registered Professional Reporter (RPR): NCRA certification.
  • Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR): State license or certification.
  • Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC): NCRA captioning credential.
  • Certified CART Provider (CCP): Communication access credential.

Career path

  1. Court Reporting Student: Build speed.
  2. Court Reporter: Record proceedings.
  3. Realtime Reporter or Captioner: Provide realtime services.
  4. Agency Owner or Official Reporter: Run a firm or work in courts.

Learn the job before day one

Our Court Reporter training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prepare for a deposition and produce a transcript, safety and how to land your first job.

View Court Reporter trainingIs this career right for me?

Paralegal

Research, draft and organize legal work that supports attorneys and their clients.

  • $62,890
  • 6 months to 2 years

Interpreter

Help people communicate across languages in health, courts and business.

  • $60,170
  • Fluency plus 6 months–4 years of training

Court Clerk

Keep court, city and license records running for the public.

  • $48,700
  • 1+ year on the job

Compare: Court Reporter vs. Paralegal · Court Reporter vs. Interpreter · Court Reporter vs. Court Clerk · Court Reporter vs. Medical Coder

Court Reporter FAQ

Is there demand for court reporters?

Yes, many areas have shortages.

How long does training take?

Often two to four years.

Can court reporters work remotely?

Many depositions and captioning jobs are remote.

How much does a court reporter make?

The median annual wage for court reporters was $72,420 ($34.82 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,130 and the highest 10% earned more than $130,560.

How long does it take to become a court reporter?

Most people need about 2–4 years of training. Most court reporters complete a postsecondary court reporting program and must reach high writing speeds. Many states require certification.

Do you need a degree to be a court reporter?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More court reporter questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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