Court reporters usually create word-for-word transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. Sometimes written accounts of spoken words are necessary for correspondence, records, or legal proof, and court reporters provide those accounts. They have a crucial role in judicial proceedings and at every meeting where the spoken word must be preserved as a written transcript. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record.

Additionally, many court reporters assist judges and trial attorneys in a variety of ways, such as organizing and searching for information in the official record or making suggestions to judges and attorneys regarding courtroom administration and procedure. Increasingly, court reporters provide closed-captioning and real-time translating services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Employment Situation

Court reporters held about 19,000 jobs in 2006. More than half worked for State and local governments, a reflection of the large number of court reporters working in courts, legislatures, and various agencies. Most of the remaining wage and salary workers were employed by court reporting agencies. Around 8 percent of court reporters were self-employed.

Employment of court reporters is projected to grow 25 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations between 2006 and 2016. Demand for court reporter services will grow due to the continuing need for accurate transcription of proceedings in courts and in pretrial depositions, by the increased need to create captions for live television, and by the need to provide other real-time broadcast captioning and translating services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Education Outlook

The amount of training required to become a court reporter varies by specialization and the type of reporting chosen. It usually takes less than a year to become a novice voice writer, while it takes at least two years to become proficient at real-time voice writing. Electronic reporters and transcribers learn their skills on the job.

The average length of time it takes to become a real time stenotypist is 33 months. About 130 postsecondary vocational and technical schools and colleges offer training. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified about 70 programs, all of which offer courses in stenotype computer-aided transcription and real-time reporting. NCRA-certified programs require students to capture a minimum of 225 words per minute, a requirement for Federal Government employment as well. Some States require voice writers to pass a test and to earn State licensure.

Salary Expectations for Court Reporters

Court reporters had median annual earnings of $45,610 in May 2006. Earnings ranged from less than $23,430 to more than $77,770. Median annual earnings in May 2006 were $45,080 for court reporters working in local government and $41,720 for those working in business support services. Compensation and compensation methods for court reporters vary with the type of reporting job, the experience of the individual reporter, the level of certification achieved, and the region of the country.

Related Information

• Find all advertised Court Reporter jobs.
• Find a Court Reporter school near you.
• Find a legal school or legal degree.

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